Is it worth buying unibody strengthener plates

 

Depends on the XJ. Stock probably not but if you wheel there are lots of benefits.

 

Going to be some wheeling

 

HD offroad makes a nice 1/8" stiffener kit, it's not as beefy as others but for mild wheeling it's perfect. I might pick up a set.

 

Sweet thanks all my buddies said not to and its a waist

 

Research it, but from what I understand is that it reduces the unibody from twisting which increases the lifespan of the body if you plan on having it a long time and do a lot of body flex, if it's just for mud then it's not worth it but tight wood trails and rocks it would be great in. Also helps for the road manners on turns I believe.

 

Sweet definitely will be mud but trails as well at my local orv park lots of rocks and flex

 

For $130 it's not going to break the bank.

 

It's also good to have as a platform for later mods. Like roll cage tie in points and mounts for suspension components or skids.

 

Definitely want skids rocksliders a few more protection as well I just want to have cherokee fun but still drive it home when I am done

 

Uh-hum.....

 

are you nitpicking about uniframe vs unibody? lol



plates are great. if you're going to play in rocks you will dent your mid section with ease. I would just buy the whole set from HDO.

 

Frame stiffiners are great in theory but tend to lead to some other issues in extreme situations.

Some people will say it's an all or nothing thing because if you only plate part of it then the sections that are not plated will be stressed more and can lead to cracks.

IMO I think the best thing you could do is buy the full length stiffiners from HD engineering and also a solid steering box spacer. Those along with a solid front bumper, trailer hitch, and midsection crossmember will really strengthen everything and tie it together.

Again, that can be seen as a negative or a positive thing. The unibody was designed to flex. The issue comes from it flexing to much under hard wheelin, but if you completely eliminate flex from certain areas then the stress becomes concentrated at the weakest points.

With all that being said, I think they would be extremely beneficial for most people, short of rock bouncers, jeep speed guys, and people who are out to beat the snot out of their xj.

 

Well thanks guys I am going to do some frame stiffeners to help it and body protection

 

Of course I am. Somebody's gotta do it.