james93711

Im looking to buy a 94 - 98 cherokee. I went on pirate an started a fight basically asking what 4x4 would be the best option. Only reason ive considered others is cause of the uni frame... Would strengthing it make it compareable to a body on frame design? I really like cherokees my moms hit nearly 400k before the motor took a crap. I would like to avoid a roll cage, how do you strengthen the uni? Weld bars to certain parts of the under carriage?

cruiser54

At least you called it by it's correct name: Uni-frame. and yes, frame stiffeners are available to install on XJs.

Atmos

people beat up their cherokees. prepare the uniframe for that and it will hold. recognize that it has some major weak points and address them. track bar brace, steering frame strengthening, good bumpers, frame plates are a good base for a cage and are necessary for dent resistance on rocks. a cage tied into the body/frame in multiple places is really the best way to make it last a long time.

here's some decent reading. just keep in mind these guys plan on building way big
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-...y-do-much.html

a no-no is welding things directly to the uniframe. it will rip off. plate the area first, then weld structural pieces to it

james93711

Thanks... Yea im not gonna get too drastic about it ill just keep away from the moab until i strengthen it up. Most likely not gonna be into rock crawling much at all, just want a nice rig for the mud an trails here in northern utah. people can keep breaking **** in moab, ill stay up here an have a good time an a long living xj

Atmos

it's not just crawling. its the supsension cycling and taking hits and the frame twisting back and forth and back and forth and the extra weight working against you. you wont have to get too extreme but you'll still have to do some things. but yeah.. your xj will be fine for some mud