Im new to this site, have been a lurker since i got my jeep about 3 months ago. Im looking to put a 4.5" lift on it, my question is how do i tell how solid the unibody is? Im used to working of vehicles with frames and have no idea where to look. Im looking to mess around at the dunes, hit some trails and use it for a dd in the winter. I was also wondering about unibody "frame" stiffiners and if there needed? Not doing any wild offroading or rock crawling just looking to flex it out a little and have some fun. thanks for any help. By the way its a 99' no body rust just some bubbles by the rear windows and a soft spot in the driverside floor pan. The unibody looks solid to me but i dont really know what im looking at.

 

anyone?

 

If you are planning on jumping it on the dunes then yes on the stiffeners. As long as the unibody rails are not rusted or falling apart then it should be good.

Soft spot in the floor most likely means you have no floor under that section of carpet. How's it look underneath?

 

I dont plan on jumping it just crusing around/climbing hills. The soft spot isnt felt from the inside, i was under it and noticed a rusty spot and the metal was weak. The passenger side looks like new, only thing i can think of is the old owners didnt get the snow off of there feet and it made the carpet wet and over the 12+ years it took its tole on the floorboard. Basically im going to be doing mild offroading, just dont want to twist up the uni.

 

It's fine, just take car of that soft spot before it grows.

Also, don't open the rear hatch while flexing since it won't close properly lol.

 

the unibody will be fine without stiffeners. They are mainly needed for rock crawling and a lot of suspension cycling.

 

My 95 ZJ is a lot stiffer than the 93 Exploder I had with a body on frame ever was. Don't worry about it and have fun with it.