Kinda a technical question: If you use 3/16" stiffeners for the main rails, and 1/8" for the front and rear, wouldn't there be a strength difference between the two welded plates? Any stressing would then be where the two stiffeners meet at the old lower control arm mount and possibly cause cracking?

I wanted to pick up ruff stuff stiffeners and use hd offroad engineering's front and rear stiffeners.

 

I run the same setup. don't worry about the area where the ruffstuffs go or where they meet the HDO's. that whole area ain't going no wheres (that is, if you cut off the factory LCA's and go to long arms like the ruffstuff kit intends). and even if you do leave the LCA brackets on I wouldn't worry too much. yes stiffening one area but passing over another will move stress loads around a bit, but if you've ever looked at how those LCA brackets are attached to the frame I think your mind will be at ease

I'd be more worried about the steering box area. I would definitely compliment the stiffeners with a very strong track bar brace as well as plate the inner frame rail where the steering box goes, and a stout bumper... that should just about do it. lots of side load going through that area

 

Thanks for the response. It was just a late night thought while getting my info straight on my next project for the jeep. I will definitely be bracing the steering box/track bar area too.

My stock lower control arm brackets are cut off. I'm selling my current long arms and creating a 3-link and welding the frame side to the chassis rails.

 

Thanks guys for both posts as I also plan on this before my long arm kit.

 

of course you'll be plating the inner frame rail where the upper mount goes too I assume? passenger side upper? sounds like you'll have my exact same setup. let me know if you've got any questions about arm lengths, bracketry, or plating. I just did all of this a few months ago and it all works awesome

 

I was planning on buying either 1/8 or 3/16" plate to fix the inside frame rail and fix up the gearbox and front cross member area. I also picked up a rcd60 out of a 79' f250 and will be picking up a 14 bolt soon. I'll definitely ask questions if I run Into any issues and need opinions.

 

1/8 seems to be working for me. easier to weld. as long as it ties into the ruffstuff plates etc. gotta connect all the planes if you can. nothing wrong with 3/16 either though

 

I've read up on pirate with their totm plating/stiffening uni bodies. If 1/8" is enough for the jeepspeed guys, then it's fine for me. I just wanted a little more to weld to when I attach my frame side links.