79 HP D44 Front End Build
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 8
From: Burlington, NC
Year: 1994...mostly...
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO, Lot's of Bolt Ons
Just keep an eye on that thing. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen one buckle where the center piece is bolted to the side pieces. Keep the weight of the Jeep off off it.
I'd also keep a very close eye on where it bolts to the Jeep. IMO, any crossmember worth having curves around the frame rail, frame rail gets slugs and it bolts THROUGH the frame rail. What IRO did was add one bolt hole to the factory two bolt hole pattern designed to hold a transmission. Except now it's holding the entire front suspension in place. Think about it.
At the very least I'd be sure to plate the entire area and weld the cross member to the rails.
I'd also keep a very close eye on where it bolts to the Jeep. IMO, any crossmember worth having curves around the frame rail, frame rail gets slugs and it bolts THROUGH the frame rail. What IRO did was add one bolt hole to the factory two bolt hole pattern designed to hold a transmission. Except now it's holding the entire front suspension in place. Think about it.
At the very least I'd be sure to plate the entire area and weld the cross member to the rails.
Clayton's doesn't bolt through the sides it gets welded in.
That's what I'm going to do with this one when I order the frame stiffeners.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15,016
Likes: 11
From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
Lowrange I appreciate the concern I'm well aware of IRO. I also know I was going to run Clayton's setup which isn't much different.
Clayton's doesn't bolt through the sides it gets welded in.
That's what I'm going to do with this one when I order the frame stiffeners.
Clayton's doesn't bolt through the sides it gets welded in.
That's what I'm going to do with this one when I order the frame stiffeners.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 8
From: Burlington, NC
Year: 1994...mostly...
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO, Lot's of Bolt Ons
Post #355
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/je...70061/index24/
Thanks for the input, BTW do you have a build thread from when you built yours?
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15,016
Likes: 11
From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
For the price I'm happy, only $250 to my door and I didn't have to spend anytime on it. It could be better of course, but when I saw cholthauss running one on his Jeep I figure my little Jeep will survive with it.
Post #355
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/je...70061/index24/
Thanks for the input, BTW do you have a build thread from when you built yours?
Post #355
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/je...70061/index24/
Thanks for the input, BTW do you have a build thread from when you built yours?
RK 3-link brackets.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,219
Likes: 45
From: west chester, pa
Year: 1999
Engine: 4.0
thats what I did... Custom crossmember from 2x6 tubing with RK 3 link brackets.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 0
From: oregon
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 ho 99 intake ps pump 1" tb spacer 62mm bored tb eletric fans and more
made my crossmember out of 2x4 tubing with mounting plates for center section and fame stiffners welded. installed tabes from ballistic fab on to it. im sure the cross member will do fine if you weld it up and do some kinda side mounts. just dont rely on using stock mounting bolts to hold it in. whatched someone do that with long arms didnt end well on the trail.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 0
From: oregon
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 ho 99 intake ps pump 1" tb spacer 62mm bored tb eletric fans and more
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 8
From: Burlington, NC
Year: 1994...mostly...
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO, Lot's of Bolt Ons
Installed the crossmember without using the 1" drop. What y'all think on the slip yoke?
Drove it up to 75 mph no vibs, I hope it will when the suspension articulates.
Dogs seemed to like it:
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 8
From: Burlington, NC
Year: 1994...mostly...
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO, Lot's of Bolt Ons
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 8
From: Burlington, NC
Year: 1994...mostly...
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO, Lot's of Bolt Ons
Well no one says they have Banjo bolts for the 79 D44 Calipers. So I ordered some from a 85 Bronco to try out should be here this week.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15,016
Likes: 11
From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
I'm thinking the Banjo bolt was 7/16 -20. Preeeetty sure. What size did you order?
Last edited by Lowrange2; Sep 9, 2014 at 08:02 AM.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 8
From: Burlington, NC
Year: 1994...mostly...
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO, Lot's of Bolt Ons
Should be here tomorrow, I'll post up.