Comp cut?
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Haleyville al
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
So im considering comp cutting my rear but im jus wonderin if it will affect the strength of the unibody or anythin and if so then how can i get it to hold up? Any advise would b great!
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From: New Jersey (Milltown, Lavallette, and Wayne)
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
You can do it if you have the proper fabrication skills to make it work right. Its not going to be just cutting the body at the fenders, there will be lots of welding and metal fab involved. You will need to create new wheel wells and weld them back to the quarter panel and the unibody. Strength will be greatly compromised so you will need to stiffen the unibody rails and possibly do a full interior cage tied into the unibody rails to re-stiffen the chassis. This whole project will require good welds and tube bending and lots of custom fabrication. If you can tackle it go for it, but don't make a hack job out of it and compromise your safety.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Haleyville al
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Lol i guess i shoulda said that im a welder and pipe fitter by trade so the welding and fabricating aint a problem and i was plannin on doin some frame stiffners at the same time. I was jus wondering if it needed a cage or anything in that nature but i guess i got my answer! Thank you!
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,245
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From: New Jersey (Milltown, Lavallette, and Wayne)
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Lol i guess i shoulda said that im a welder and pipe fitter by trade so the welding and fabricating aint a problem and i was plannin on doin some frame stiffners at the same time. I was jus wondering if it needed a cage or anything in that nature but i guess i got my answer! Thank you!
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From: Warsaw, IN
Year: 2000,1990,1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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From: Haleyville al
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Haha yeah it shouldnt b to big of a problem. And im not stretchin it right now but soon i will b. I jus had tons and 36's put under it so not much room in the back. No fenders up front so no problems there. Im workin in PA and im hopeing to bring it up here in a week or 2.
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From: fremont,mi
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
mine is comp cut about 4" below the rear window (4dr) and i plan on unibody stiffners from control arm mount to leaf mount and plan internal cage along with a cross member in the hatch opening and underneath basicaly tieing the unibody rails back together, mine will also be stretched 4-5" using dodge ram leafs springs and a bumper mounted shackle.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Haleyville al
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah that will work good. Im plannin on 4 linkin the rear if the cash will let me lol then do the stretch. And mines a 2 door btw. And this is with 36's i had about 6.5" of lift but the new spring perches and axles gave it more lift then i figured it would have
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From: Soddy Daisy TN
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
It's not a comp cut but here is one a guy I know did. It's linked in the rear and those are 36s. He redid the fender wells and moved his tank. Whole unitbody is plated and it has a cage.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 913
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From: Japan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L I6
Man I really like the way this guy did his comp cut and would like to do this to mine one day. I am no expert so I can't give any advice with regards to strength, but if you plated or put stiffeners on the Unibody I am sure you would be fine.
THe unibody on the xj is stiffer then ppl think. As long as you keep roof intact you can cut as high as you like as long as your rig doesnt have rust issues.
THe cage I have in my rig is so rigid.. I can jack left corner of rig up.. and lift whole rig.
Personally the next xj I build I am going to narrow the rear by pie cutting the roof and angling it all in.
THe cage I have in my rig is so rigid.. I can jack left corner of rig up.. and lift whole rig.
Personally the next xj I build I am going to narrow the rear by pie cutting the roof and angling it all in.


