This has gone so well that I keep waiting for the other boot to drop. I don't want to jinx it, so I won't say much, but maaaaannnn....

 

 

Home with the flu, waiting on parts. *sigh*

 

Do you intend to box in that rectangle tubing? How about chop off that HUGE flange where it's all bolted together?

Also, why is the tube even turned that way? Had you turned it the correct way it wouldn't need anymore attention. Why is the center section 4 inches lower than a stock cross member? Why didn't you just go straight across with it? You made that WAY more complicated than it needed to be.

If you really want an improvement over stock you need to continue the steel around the frame rail and add more bolts into the equation anyway.

 

Yes. It is roughed out... mocked up. I won't do anything else to it until my joints arrive.

In the plans... plating up the side as well as a plate on the inside frame rail with bushings to keep from crushing the rail.

It IS turned the correct way! It still needs attention because there will be brackets set into those 4" squares for joints as part of the lower control arms. How on earth do you get 4" lower? It is 1" lower, as in Tranny/tcase drop. I made it the way I wanted to make it. Perhaps more complicated than it should be, IDK. It's my first time making one.

I'm not making this to be an improvement over stock. I'm making it to accomodate longarms. Why didn't you throw your .02 in BEFORE I started making it, when I was asking for help, suggestions? Then I wouldn't feel like I'm getting slammed for making a Jeep part!?!?

 

how pliable is your transmission mount? If you can easily wiggle the studs back and forth or if the rubber is soft you should save yourself the trouble and replace/upgrade it now instead of having to drop the subframe assembly and the long arms later on when it needs to be replaced.

Great progress on this build so far

 

Yeah, it's pretty nasty. I will definitely replace it. Thanks, Shade.

 

Those of us who have taken the time to read realize that it is just mocked up and not finished yet. Those who havent can be quick to assume things, and obviously don't know the meaning of constructive criticism.

Nevermind the few. You and your sons are doing a great job. Especially since its your first time...and first XJ for that matter! Keep on keeping on!

 

lol, I did say that twice. Whoops.

I didn't see your build until now. Here I am.

I would have done something much more like this.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showpost....57&postcount=7

If you HAD to you could still make the center section removable with a flange that's about half as big as what you have there.

In addition to what's in that link I'd bring the ends around the side and add crush sleeves like you've mentioned.

Then build link mounts off of that.

 

Constructive criticism? What do you call it? It's clearly a bad design whether it's the 1st time or the 5th time.

If it's a bad design I'm going to say it's a bad design. Simple as that.

 

Your second post in his thread would be considered constructive. Good job on that.

I would venture to say that most of us don't achieve perfection on our first attempts at something. We all have to start somewhere and learn along the way. This design will allow him to use long arms which was his main goal. With good input he can modify this one or choose to wait and make a improved version later.

Skerr. When are your parts arriving?

 

LOL! Thanks, Pitt.

Glad you're here. I need guys that "know" to throw tips at me so I get it done right. This design is one I found on the net. Your link shows a dang nice design too. I'm trying to avoid a SYE, hence the tranny drop. If I wasn't worrying about that then I would have built it straight across. I feel pretty sure that my finished xmember will be a violation of all that's holy to XJers, but I do not need to same clearance as you guys that run the rocks. I know I will be giving up height/style due to my gusseting plans. What don't you like about the flange? Should I bolt it to the side or top and bottom? Ya'lls comments will be welcome.

I respect plain talk, but tell me why it's a bad design.

I had hoped I would have the parts here by now. I'm a little bit disappointed.

 

Called Ballistic Fab because I have not seen a "Ship" e-mail yet. It has been a week. They told me they just finished making the 2.63s, and they have to get them plated. Another 2 weeks. The XJ is sitting in the door of the shop. It is protected from the elements, but I have the front suspension disconnected, so I can't move it. This is very inconvenient.

 

Any progress?

 

Sorry MOBBIN for the late reply. I have a ton going on here, and I haven't been on the web much. I still do not have my BF parts! I called Ballistic Fab this past Monday. He said the parts were finished that very morning, and he would ship them that afternoon or the next day. He was appreciative of my patience! I told him the guys on this forum were praising his product, and that's why I went with BF. I hoped to have had the parts by today (Friday), but no parts! They'd better be here early next week!