Skyjacker Sub Frame Modification

[Kittrell]

Alright, I've had this thing for a little while now. Decided to pay some more attention to it. I've have decided that I am not satisfied with the replacement crossmember. It is offset from the tranny mount instead of directly under it. I think this places some unecessary leverage on the side mounts. One side is slightly tweaked, I imagine from this very thing. Also it is offset to the front, leaving virtually no protection for the tcase and less then the tranny is used to. What I'd to do is bring the crossmember back under the mount and make it a bit more durable. 3 Options come to mind on this. 1 - Modifiy the existing crossmember. 2 - Come up with something from scratch. 3 - Try and weld in a Clayton LA crossmemer.

So far I like the 3rd option the best. Since the Clayton LAs mount in pretty much the same exact line that the sub frame sits, I see this as the best solution. The crossmember should fit right between the sub frame. All that it would take is lopping off the LA mounts and welding those small flanges flush to the side of the subframe. The crossmember would then still me removeable as Clayton intended it. Moves it back under the tranny mount and adds considerable beef to the setup. Thoughts? Suggestions? Any reason this wouldn't/shouldn't work?

"Stock" Sub Frame

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/Jeep1991/P7090003.jpg

Clayton Crossmember

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/Jeep1991/claytonla009.jpg

[Kittrell]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/Jeep1991/test.jpg

Pretty much looking at that. Don't necessarily need to use a clayton crossmember. Would probably be easier/cheaper to just copy the design.

[PapaPump]

awesome...go for it...i want to do something similar, but i dont know if i should keep waiting for a skyjacker lift to show up in the classifieds or make my own

[Kittrell]

We've come up with this so far. (Though I won't take credit for the drawing) Should end up being 2x4 rec. tubing, 1/4".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/Jeep1991/3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/Jeep1991/1.jpg

Will more then likely add on a skid for the tcase, similiar to what is on the JKS Crossmember.

[HTeK]

The only drawback I see is that the Crossmember will be (or at least appears to be) unnecessarily low.

[Kittrell]

Not any lower then if I was running Clayton LAs, I don't see any problem there.