Built - Not bought! Joined the club with an offroad bumper
#1
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Location: Ottawa Canada
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Built - Not bought! Joined the club with an offroad bumper
So I have had my Cherokee "Ron" for almost a year now. I've mainly done required maintenance that the PO hadnt kept up on.
U joints, axle seals, fluids, headlights etc.
Recently, I did a bastard pack lift, with S10 leafs from the 'yard. 2.5" spacers up front. Immediately added 31" BFG K02's.
My Cherokee came with a tiny hitch, 1.25" draw, and it had a drop on top of that. I could not get the damn thing out. So, I decided to make my own bumper. I love the look of these stock, so I tried to keep it as stock looking as possible, while improving my departure, and upgrading my hitch.
This is the hitch that was on it. This was not ideal for towing, or off roading!<br/>
Old hitch, next to my donor, off of a Ford Expedition - 8800 lbs capacity vs 1500...
U joints, axle seals, fluids, headlights etc.
Recently, I did a bastard pack lift, with S10 leafs from the 'yard. 2.5" spacers up front. Immediately added 31" BFG K02's.
My Cherokee came with a tiny hitch, 1.25" draw, and it had a drop on top of that. I could not get the damn thing out. So, I decided to make my own bumper. I love the look of these stock, so I tried to keep it as stock looking as possible, while improving my departure, and upgrading my hitch.
This is the hitch that was on it. This was not ideal for towing, or off roading!<br/>
Old hitch, next to my donor, off of a Ford Expedition - 8800 lbs capacity vs 1500...
#2
CF Veteran
Not to come off as a a$$, but how is this remotely OEM? And is there a point to be made?
This would be the great start to a build thread.
This would be the great start to a build thread.
#3
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#5
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
More photos, 1/4 wall tubing to slide into the "Frame Rails".
Left side cutout, with the 2" x 4" slid in, and right side stock after removing the stock skin mount
Left side cutout, with the 2" x 4" slid in, and right side stock after removing the stock skin mount
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
And then
Both sides cut out
Driver side has Fuel filler tube in there, need to cut out for that. Looks rough, but the metal is good.
Cutout to continue under the filler tube
Both sides cut out
Driver side has Fuel filler tube in there, need to cut out for that. Looks rough, but the metal is good.
Cutout to continue under the filler tube
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#8
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Cut the receiver, to fit just inside the outer walls of my 2*4 tubing
Blurry pic of the crossmember in place
It sits into a cutout on each side, making sure that my weld is not where the strength is coming from.
Blurry pic of the crossmember in place
It sits into a cutout on each side, making sure that my weld is not where the strength is coming from.
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Tacked it all up while it was bolted in place, and removed to fully weld around .
I got tired/lazy and didnt take any pictures, but I am using all 4 M12x1.5 bolts under the frame (each side). These tie into the original nutstrip, inside my tubing.
I then tapped the ends of my tube, in order to mount the skin
I got tired/lazy and didnt take any pictures, but I am using all 4 M12x1.5 bolts under the frame (each side). These tie into the original nutstrip, inside my tubing.
I then tapped the ends of my tube, in order to mount the skin
#10
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Nice fab work. Sign me up. Subbed.
I do welding and fab for a living. Doing stiffeners right now as a matter of fact. Future base for cage work, nudge nudge wink wink know what I mean? LOL
I do welding and fab for a living. Doing stiffeners right now as a matter of fact. Future base for cage work, nudge nudge wink wink know what I mean? LOL
#11
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Cut a hole in the skin to access the hitch, pin and chains
Bolts on top, these BARELY clear the hitch door. It's so close Im worried about thermal expansion causing an issue (no im actually not)
Bolts on top, these BARELY clear the hitch door. It's so close Im worried about thermal expansion causing an issue (no im actually not)
#12
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I will paint the bolt heads, its not perfect solution, but time crunch made me do it...
All buttoned up, I have a much better departure angle, much stronger towing/recovery point, kept a "stock" look and spent very little for it all. Credit to Foxwar over at NAXJA for doing something like this before me!
Pretty happy.
Last edited by g1teg; 04-01-2016 at 10:59 PM. Reason: Add photo