ok i don't have a bumper on my xj right now. i have this bumper off a cj7 that i made and it has a 2in recevier on it. (front bumper) and thiers this black peice i think is connecting the unibody together. can i cut this? i need to cut a peaice out so the reciver can go bback far enough to sit right on the cherokee. i have a pic. need to cut on the outside of the tape.

 

I think that may be a part of your core support - if it is, I don't think you can cut it...I'll let some of the other more seasoned members answer you though.

 

Cross member. I wouldnt cut it but if you have to I would reinforce the area.

 

can you make the bumpers stick out further so you dont have to cut it ?

 

if i did that the hitch would be pointless. how could i renforce it?

 

if you do cut it as long as the rest of the bumber is tied in good it probably wont matter much. but i like being on the safe side. if it was my jeep i would heavily reinforce the crossmember and perhaps even replace it with some 2x6 box steel (in fact i have)

 

If it was me and i had to cut that out i would cut it smaller than i needed then bend the opening to where you have some tabs (just like it is where the bumber mounts) and weld those to you hitch bad part would be if you have to take if back off you would have to cut welds ....just my 2 cents

 

culd i cut it a tad small and make it bend around the hitch without welding it? and that be safe?

 

its going to need something welded in to replace the strength your cutting away

 

maby ill just cut the hitch off instead..

 

got a new idea. how about if i replace the thing with some sheet metal thats thicker than whats already thier then trim out what gets in the way.. will that work?

 

Need better PICS

 

what do you mean better pics? i showed you the area i want to cut. close up and kinda far off lol

 

X 2 thats what I would do in your situation but for mine I cut the whole crossmember out and built a new one with hevier steal but even that needs to be welded in to do it right

 

i don't have a welder. you think it'll be ok if i just cut it smaller and bend it then take a BFH and beat it up against the hitch untill i can get to a welder?