Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cut-off or plate the front frame?

Old 09-24-2015, 08:28 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
DynoGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Statesville, NC
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6.0l LS
Default Cut-off or plate the front frame?

Ok so I'm building my rig up to be able to handle some more of the advanced trails. The plan is for coilovers on all 4 corners. So I think I want to cut the entire front end off and replace with 2"x3" for the lower frame rail or just plate the unibody. Either way I am going to use 1 3/4" DOM tube as a upper mount for the front CO's which will tie into the internal cage (thru the firewall of course ). If I go with the 2x3 I think I can have it slide into the existing uni-rail all the way back to about where I will put the lower rear crossmember for the rear double tri-link. What do you all think?

Here is a pic of the start of the cage.
Old 09-25-2015, 12:56 AM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
andrewmp6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

I would dove tail it if your going that far.
Old 09-25-2015, 05:58 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
Atmos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: City of Trees, CA
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by DynoGuy
Ok so I'm building my rig up to be able to handle some more of the advanced trails. The plan is for coilovers on all 4 corners. So I think I want to cut the entire front end off and replace with 2"x3" for the lower frame rail or just plate the unibody. Either way I am going to use 1 3/4" DOM tube as a upper mount for the front CO's which will tie into the internal cage (thru the firewall of course ). If I go with the 2x3 I think I can have it slide into the existing uni-rail all the way back to about where I will put the lower rear crossmember for the rear double tri-link. What do you all think?

Here is a pic of the start of the cage.

nice! are you keeping conventional steering box setup? if so, 2x3 would work well. the only issue I could think running into is that the factory frame doesn't just go straight out to the front bumper, it divets inward to clear shocks/ suspension. so if you can remedy that clearance issue I say definitely go for it. I think I'm going with a tubed frame personally (no steering box for me)

might as well do the same for the rear frame rails, it's easy enough. hell I'm losing my whole uniframe entirely
Old 09-25-2015, 08:09 PM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
DynoGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Statesville, NC
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6.0l LS
Default

Originally Posted by Atmos
nice! are you keeping conventional steering box setup? if so, 2x3 would work well. the only issue I could think running into is that the factory frame doesn't just go straight out to the front bumper, it divets inward to clear shocks/ suspension. so if you can remedy that clearance issue I say definitely go for it. I think I'm going with a tubed frame personally (no steering box for me)

might as well do the same for the rear frame rails, it's easy enough. hell I'm losing my whole uniframe entirely
Yes going conventional steering. Going to a full width axle and really looking to swap a 6.0LS instead of going a stroker. Got to get the rest of the engine compartment harness out then out comes the plasma cutter.
My current plan is to use a LS 6.0l w/ 6l80e, for engine /transmission management I'm looking at the F.A.S.T EFI system. I want to clean up the wiring so that is part of the reasoning to go with a stand alone instead of a factory harnesses. For the chassis harness I will go with one of the Painless kits. And of course a small fortune in RuffStuff bits.
Old 09-26-2015, 03:26 PM
  #5  
Member
Thread Starter
 
DynoGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Statesville, NC
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6.0l LS
Default

Well guess I chose a path.
Attached Thumbnails Cut-off or plate the front frame?-20150926_155620_001.jpg  
Old 09-26-2015, 09:58 PM
  #6  
Member
Thread Starter
 
DynoGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Statesville, NC
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6.0l LS
Default






Coming along. Starting the 2"×3" frt clip tomorrow.
Old 09-27-2015, 09:46 PM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
Atmos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: City of Trees, CA
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by DynoGuy
Yes going conventional steering. Going to a full width axle and really looking to swap a 6.0LS instead of going a stroker. Got to get the rest of the engine compartment harness out then out comes the plasma cutter.
My current plan is to use a LS 6.0l w/ 6l80e, for engine /transmission management I'm looking at the F.A.S.T EFI system. I want to clean up the wiring so that is part of the reasoning to go with a stand alone instead of a factory harnesses. For the chassis harness I will go with one of the Painless kits. And of course a small fortune in RuffStuff bits.
I'm looking for a 5.3/4l60 combo myself. Going manual valve body trans, LS6 intake, and for wiring harness you should definitely check out the speartech. They are a much better all around kit than the Holly and the wires come wrapped. Beautiful kit for relatively the same price. I'm unhappy with 90% of my Ruffstuff fab parts. They're all bent. I would check out the TMR website before pulling the trigger on Ruffstuff. Although my Ruffstuff heims have always been great
Old 09-27-2015, 09:48 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
Atmos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: City of Trees, CA
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by DynoGuy


Coming along. Starting the 2"×3" frt clip tomorrow.
Great looking start. I planned to leave my front fenders and grill in place to use as sort of a jig and build off that. Can't wait to see where this build ends up!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
t.mcginley.jr
Jeep Builds
105
01-31-2024 04:58 PM
ryan_lerv
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
5
03-29-2016 01:49 PM
RickJames Bish
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
5
09-02-2015 03:22 PM
Cherokee_Laredo
Wanted
0
09-02-2015 01:00 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Cut-off or plate the front frame?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:49 AM.