removing front x-member

supernatural · Jan 8, 2013

I'm thinking of cutting out my front xmember and replacing it with 2x6 steel so i can prepare for a hidden winch mount and also give the front of my jeep some more stiffness in the front. I've done quite a bit of searching and found that the frame rails need to be braced before i cut it out so it doesn't "collapse". What ways did you guys brace the frame rails? Would using 2x6 make it more rigid in the front end?

Also, do you have to be a red letter member to be able to post in ad-fab?? seems this would be an ad-fab type of topic?? thanks

GordoSmasho · Jan 8, 2013

Front end stiffness would be more improved with frame plating than a better front crossmember and you can get that from hdoffroad. For a front hidden winch mount though ors on pirate makes a bumper that is so cheap its hard to justify wanting to fab one for your self. And free shipping

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/body-armor/1011786-ors-cherokee-stubby-bumpers-free-shipping.html

MoparManiac · Jan 8, 2013

Posting it here is fine. Yes you have to be a member to post in ad-fab.

You have to brace the frame rails before you cut it so the two rails come out of square with each other. I just used some 1" square tubing and did a short stitch weld at each end to make sure the rails didn't move.

2x6 .250" wall is perfect. Exactly what I used to do mine.

XJEEPER · Jan 8, 2013

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showpost.php?p=245004956&postcount=10

Tim_MN · Jan 9, 2013

Forward of the coil spring and shock mounts, the frame rails are pretty much just for bolting stuff to.

I bought a wrecked XJ and had to cut out the front cross member. The new cross member slipped right in and I welded it on. Nothing is going to move if you cut out the cross member, because the coil spring mounts will hold the rails in the correct locations.

supernatural · Jan 10, 2013

^ how does that work if i don't have something tying the spring towers together??

CobraMarty · Jan 10, 2013

How do you get to the winch lever the switch in-out?

jeeperjohn · Jan 10, 2013

supernatural said:
^ how does that work if i don't have something tying the spring towers together??

The header panel helps tie the fenders together some. It will not fold like a taco if you cut the front crossmember out as long as you don't drive it that way. It might help to attach a temporary support while you work on the new crossmember.

beer_goggles_009 · Jan 10, 2013

You don't need to brace it if you leave the top portion of the cross member in place like I did. You can even make the new crossmember and winch mount removable by bolting it to the framerails like you would a bumper. If you want to see pictures i believe there are some in my build thread in advanced fab.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1051682&highlight=project+beat+xj

Not the only way to do it obviously. But could give you some ideas!

Tim_MN · Jan 11, 2013

supernatural said:
^ how does that work if i don't have something tying the spring towers together??

It works just fine. The unibody is boxed and the coil spring towers are built from extra heavy sheet metal. Nothing is going to move.

removing front x-member

supernatural

NAXJA Forum User

GordoSmasho

Nevada Raisins

MoparManiac

NAXJA Forum User

XJEEPER

NAXJA Member # 13

Tim_MN

Freakish Hand Strength

supernatural

NAXJA Forum User

CobraMarty

NAXJA Forum User

jeeperjohn

NAXJA Forum User

beer_goggles_009

NAXJA Member

Tim_MN

Freakish Hand Strength

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