Belly skid
11-14-2013, 09:29 PM
#1
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Location: Carrollton, GA
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0L High Output
Belly skid
I'm running a Clayton Off-road Y link long arm suspension up front. This system utilizes a new crossmember to replace the old, thin stock one. The mount is made in 3 sections, two frame mounts and a middle section that can drop to allow you to remove the transmission if needed.
Here is the middle section removed, pretend those bars aren't there yet.
I used a 10' stick of sch 40 pipe (thicker wall for this application and easy to bend) and I bought 5' of 12" wide 1/4" plate (used about 3').
Bent the tube *now look at tube*.
Welded it all together and it looked really pretty, right?
Yes it did, and it was a heavy *****. Unfortunately, it dost quite clear the t case and wasn't going to allow full droop of the front driveshaft.
Then I hacked it up and made it ugly.
Didn't have time to paint it, so a few weeks later I was changing the front output seal if my t case and cleaned it up.
This has taken a good beating, the long arms have been worse though...
Happy wheeling!
Here is the middle section removed, pretend those bars aren't there yet.
I used a 10' stick of sch 40 pipe (thicker wall for this application and easy to bend) and I bought 5' of 12" wide 1/4" plate (used about 3').
Bent the tube *now look at tube*.
Welded it all together and it looked really pretty, right?
Yes it did, and it was a heavy *****. Unfortunately, it dost quite clear the t case and wasn't going to allow full droop of the front driveshaft.
Then I hacked it up and made it ugly.
Didn't have time to paint it, so a few weeks later I was changing the front output seal if my t case and cleaned it up.
This has taken a good beating, the long arms have been worse though...
Happy wheeling!
11-15-2013, 08:20 AM
#4
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0L High Output
I was going to cap the tube, and will whenever I get some down time, but it wasn't as important when I did it.
11-15-2013, 10:09 AM
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11-24-2013, 09:20 PM
#14
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0L High Output
Yes, but i wouldnt after seeing the collection of 4 i have and have beat the hell out of. My crossmember is 2x4x3/16, its not going to be as easily mangled as the stock ones.
Aside from building a skid one thin piece of metal, lift height and nothing else should change the design.
I was originally wanting to do a clocked t case and run a true flat belly from frame rail to frame rail, but this has worked so well i dont have any complaints.
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