Ah, you're wanting to REPLACE the unibody with a tube frame? As in, completely remove the unibody? I don't see how that's less work than plating a sleeving the unibody after you chop it in half.

Mainly, the front portion. What are you going to do for frame work in front of the fire wall? Remove it all and mount the engine to the new tube frame, right?

How is this less work than plating the unibody? lol.

Yes, square tube from the front bumper to the rear bumper. I just don't see spending the same money on unibody stiffeners as I would spend on a pile of tube. I will never have to worry about the unibody cracking between the steering box and track bar. (even though I won't have a steering box)
I just don't want to pour all of this money into the jeep and have the unibody busy all to **** like it was when I got it, and like has happened to two of my my buddies jeeps.

A well built cage solves that. My Jeep is a 93 and has been a dedicated wheeler since 2006. I haven't been able to find a single crack in my uni-body. Is yours rusty as **** or something?

I just think it's about 5 times more work than you think it's going to be. At that point, why stay with an XJ body. Just build a complete tube buggy chassis.

I have full intentions of back halving mine eventually. Chop it in half, slide some 2x3" as far into the unibody as possible and plate it. Then you're good to go.

I chopped it and bought the tube to back half it, and have been considering this idea for a long time. I don't want to build a full tube buggy because I want a Cherokee. It's what I started with, and it's what I want to wheel. I just want to make it capable of lasting like a tube buggy.

The unibody was busted all the way around on both sides right where the factory rear bump stops mount when I got it. Had I know that I wouldn't have bought it.

The front of the unibody is also ****ed up where it slopes down right behind the steering box, but that has nothing to do with the reason I'm doing this. If I wanted to spend the time and money plating the unibody, I would just get another body.

I just don't see how there is any disadvantage to building a Cherokee this way?

I guess there's not really a disadvantage. It just seems like a bunch of unnecessary work to me. If you're willing to do the work then I'm sure it'll be better in the long run.

How are you going to attach what's left of the body to the new frame? The unibody is was gives rigidity to the body. How are you going to strengthen the "body" back up after you chop the unibody off before you mount it to the frame?

I'm gonna put a piece of 1/8 wall channel down where the unibody was, and between where the rails where in a couple of spots, and tie it all to 2x6 sliders that will tie into the frame. The channel where the unibody rails were will also make for a good place to mount the body to the frame.

Need pics.

You don't want to do that craziness too, do you?

94XJsport94, were you at Choccolocco 2 Saturdays ago? I saw someone with an XJ that looked like the one in your profile pic there.

Hey guys, just made this profile today. I'm looking to get a Cherokee for 2nd vehicle. I live down in Macon, and have been having a lot of trouble looking for a good Jeep. Maybe this will help me find someone considering selling theirs. I have a $4000 budget. My must haves are 6 cyl, automatic transmission, and 4 wheel drive. Other than that I'm not picky. Also preferably a late model:1997-2001. Thanks guys. I can also be reached at 478-284-9984. Just let me know that you are from the forum when you text me. Thanks again.

You should be able to find a very nice one for $4k...

Who drives a dark silver 2000(?) with exo, tons with blue diffs, and blue oris on the front?

Was it a 4 door? We're they all off?

It was a 4 door but they were on. Said NAXJA member on the back passenger side window, but figured they were probably on here too. I passed them on the way to the river this morning haha

Sorry, I don't know that one.