Stangler

99 XJ 4door 4.0 110,000 miles
Rubicon Express 3.5" super flex
Rusty's 1" drop cross member

I've seen this done, should not be as big of an issue as I see it, but I want to make sure.

I supported the trans/T-case with a floor jack. I removed the factory cross member.

I bolted in the Rusty's new 1" drop cross member (looks like a factory piece, only thicker material and 1" lower drop)

As I let the floor jack down to mate up the trans mount to the new member, the trans/T-case did not drop. I can't see anything binding, or any contact that would prevent it from just dropping down into place.

Have any of you seen this? Do I need to pull down on it to get it to mate up? (I can pull down on the trans/T-case, but it feels like its binding on something.

Nate

freegdr

You got upgraded motor mounts maybe ? Front drive shaft binding ? Gotta look around see what stuck should drop down some easily.

Guywitha92

I was thinking the motor mounts. Pull left and right on the tranfercase housing to make sure it isn't binding

Stangler

It moves side to side, no issues.

I can pull down on it and it moves, but springs back up.

I called Rusty's and they said to look at the motor mounts, maybe loosen them with the trans/T-case supported, then try dropping it down again.

I'll let you guys know what I find. I just hope it's not the driveshaft or shift linkage causing this these issues.

Nate

moparado

I've got the Rusty's 1" cross member drop and their skid plate installed with no serious install problems. But my motor mounts are still OEM originals.

Only minor issue i had was their cross member needed an offset tranny mount for my 242 TC which Rusty's promptly sent 2 day delivery.

As freegdr mentioned, the motor mounts could be some upgraded type or even a motor lift mount like Brown Dog Offroad's 1" motor lift.
Does your engine/ bell housing seem to ride higher than normal?

Fred/N0AZZ

Many times the motor mount bolts need to be loosened up, not removed for the trans to move.

Stangler

It ended up being caused by the front end at full sag when I tried to drop the T-case/trans. I had the wheels off and the front at full sag so I could bleed the brakes and do a couple other items. Once I jacked the front end up about 8", the trans/T-case dropped right in.

Nate

moparado

Stangler,
never thought about that.
Thats why follow ups on problems are a great learning tool.

Thanks for that follow up!