Frame stiffener opinions?? Really needed

[Darky]

Search, there's lots of people running the HD setup, tere's even a big thread about it.

 

[nrpalmer32]

I have the TnT stiffeners on my XJ and it did make a huge difference. It is true that the 3/16" is a little thick to weld to our thin unibodies but it did do the job. I'd recommend the HD ones just because of the ease of the welding application.

 

[Detour]

MJ stiffeners would be interesting to see become available, but I doubt they would sell well.

The frame rails are totally different. from the crossmember back.

There was a time I toyed with this years ago, the market is'nt there to support the investment, I tried..........sorry.

 

[xjtrailrider]

^^ I actually did this, Mark was very quick to reply!! I see some of these in my future very soon!!!

You won't be disappointed! If you are ever in the Roanoke area let me know and you can take a look at mine, pure beef! My next step is to plate the bottom of the frame and stiffeners to allow me to slide over ledges easier without frame damage.

Like I did on this one, nothing major, but worth preventing.

 

[Detour]

The only thing I with about with frame stiffeners is that if you stiffen one area it would only transfer the force to the next area, putting even more strain on the areas you can't stiffen... If that makes sense...

Heres some insight, Detours system was introduced.....9 - 10 years ago, it was the second on the market besides Jeepspeed's.........both systems attach/connect the front and rear suspension points, as well as the unibody.......Jeepspeed uses round tube, Detours uses 1.5 X 3 box tube, and mimmicks the unibody perfectly........creating a subframe which also connects to the suspension points.......no weak links, it's a cradle, a subframe which has been used and proven on dragstrips since the late 60's....The system can also offer 4 rosset or plug weld areas, located in the unibody seam areas.......back in the day......critics cryed over the welding, well I guess since then, folks can't get enough weld on that unibody and it's now acceptable to 'over weld'........Detours system is actually even removable after welding unlike other stiffeners, its a complete system which can be transfered to another XJ or simply removed to resell the XJ.......keeping your XJ clean.

Basically, it's a subframe system which connects suspension points and supports the unibody system, not a koozie that wraps a beer can....

 

[01erionracing]

I did mine with some 2x2x3/16" thickness. I think it better to protect my investment.

 

[ILLXJ]

anyone running the H.D. offroad frame stiffener SET????? make a pretty big difference? think i might look into buying the whole set instead of making my own.thanks for the help.

I'm running the front & mids. I'm sure the fronts make some diff. but I don't know how much over the mids alone. I did trim some off of the fronts due to my bumper brackets. JIM.

 

[MoparManiac]

There was a time I toyed with this years ago, the market is'nt there to support the investment, I tried..........sorry.

Not surprised, like I said I doubt they would sell well.

I made my own out of 3x3x3/16" and just notched for the cab reinforcements as well as bent it to follow the rails. It's flat all the way back on the bottom, but bends out right after the crossmember, then back straight right before the leaf spring perch.

 

[srmitchell]

I dont think stiffeners are good alone. Like crajyjim said, about 1 week after I got my HD center plates installed, noises came back.

The body is much better with the stiffeners, my long arm crossmember, and the bumpers.

 

[Rod Knee]

Since the topic is at hand, I’m wondering if you guys could name a threshold build level below which frame stiffeners aren’t really essential and above which they are. Let’s say for typically easy/moderate wheeling with the occasional challenge of say, a Poison Spider Mesa. The reason I ask is that I am on 31’s with a front frame mounted rigid aftermarket bumper, class 3 trailer hitch (frame mounted) in back, and AJ’s sliders, and I feel pretty solid and see no tell-tale signs of a problem like poor door fitment. I don’t really want to grind off the paint and undercoat from my frame rails if I don’t have to, not to mention my complete lack of welding skills and equipment.

Also, I already have a CROK reinforcement for the frame rail where the steering box attaches. I’m assuming I’d have to take that off to get one of the manufactured front braces like the HD Offroad on (yes/no?).

I’ve read were the use lockers would add stress to the framerails, but I’m having a hard time wrapping my brains around that idea. Any opinions there?

 

[Darky]

Stiffeners are a good idea for any XJ that gets wheeled.

 

[Detour]

I’ve read were the use lockers would add stress to the framerails, but I’m having a hard time wrapping my brains around that idea. Any opinions there?

That right there.......is pretty silly......I often tell folks to "STOP READING".....seriously.

If you've cut, if you're wheeling it.......stiffeners should be considered sooner than later.
Honestly, our customer base is 2nd time builders, who've learned right & wrong.....

 

[tags63]

Hey All!!
I'm new to this forum but just finished some work on my 2000 XJ. I went with the TNT stiffeners as well as the sliders and a few other items. They're an awesome fit on our rigs and well spent for the support & protection. I'm quite happy.

Paul:flame:

 

[Rod Knee]

That right there.......is pretty silly......I often tell folks to "STOP READING".....seriously.

If you've cut, if you're wheeling it.......stiffeners should be considered sooner than later.
Honestly, our customer base is 2nd time builders, who've learned right & wrong.....

Since I have your attention, I've got a couple questions.

1. When I lifted my XJ, I wed a new rear spring pack to my existing main leaf in part because front leaf spring bolt on one side of the vehicle was seized up and would not budge. Lets assume that a future attempt would be futile even if heated and extensively PB blasted. Would I be able to effectively mount and use your stiffener without being able to move this bolt?

2. Correct me if I'm wrong, but your stiffener does not appear to go forward of the LCA mount. Doesn't leaving part of the framerail non-reinforced just make that non-reinforced portion more prone to stress/failure from flexing of the vehicle? IOW, isn't more of the stress transferred to the non-reinforced part of the rail?

Excuse me if these are naive questions.

 

[Detour]

Since I have your attention, I've got a couple questions.

1. When I lifted my XJ, I wed a new rear spring pack to my existing main leaf in part because front leaf spring bolt on one side of the vehicle was seized up and would not budge. Lets assume that a future attempt would be futile even if heated and extensively PB blasted. Would I be able to effectively mount and use your stiffener without being able to move this bolt?

2. Correct me if I'm wrong, but your stiffener does not appear to go forward of the LCA mount. Doesn't leaving part of the framerail non-reinforced just make that non-reinforced portion more prone to stress/failure from flexing of the vehicle? IOW, isn't more of the stress transferred to the non-reinforced part of the rail?

Excuse me if these are naive questions.

Actually, exceptional questions......

(1).....That bolt is subject to some rust, it's also subject to flexing due to the unibody design which can break it's weld connections......this bolt does not need to be 100% removed to install the system, yet does need to be loosened.........

(2)......Forward of the LCAs?.......so, whats up there? A balcony of sorts? The system connects the unibody from suspension point to suspension point......actually 'connecting' the suspension points, which acts as a cradle to the unibody.......up front, whats behind has much less limited stress.....most of the front area has a triple wall from the factory in critical areas, the very rear.....not so much, yet tends to never fail......

A decent front bumper system will take up the slack 9 out of 10 times if you have serious front end concerns.........Our BackBone is a good example of that.

 

[CrashDawson]

Getting my AtoZ stiffereners installed next week they are in the shop right now.
They go from the front where the lower control arm was but now running long arm and goes pass the the leaf pack. also goes 1in on the floor board of the jeep.

 

[Rod Knee]

Actually, exceptional questions......

(1).....That bolt is subject to some rust, it's also subject to flexing due to the unibody design which can break it's weld connections......this bolt does not need to be 100% removed to install the system, yet does need to be loosened.........

(2)......Forward of the LCAs?.......so, whats up there? A balcony of sorts? The system connects the unibody from suspension point to suspension point......actually 'connecting' the suspension points, which acts as a cradle to the unibody.......up front, whats behind has much less limited stress.....most of the front area has a triple wall from the factory in critical areas, the very rear.....not so much, yet tends to never fail......

A decent front bumper system will take up the slack 9 out of 10 times if you have serious front end concerns.........Our BackBone is a good example of that.

OK, that all is pretty clear. I've got a good rigid frame mounted aftermarket bumper, so I'm good there. I'm going to have to see what I can do with that bolt though.

Next problem: I already have AJ's sliders. Do I have to somehow shorten the legs that run from the rail to their mounting points on the framerail, or just figure on getting some use out of a BFH to get them back on? Or can I cut out your framerails where the "feet" of the sliders' legs go flush up against the framerails? IOW, what's the best way to address this fitment problem?

 

[Rod Knee]

Last post mofified for clarity. It was late when I wrote it:

Next problem: I already have AJ's sliders. Do I have to somehow shorten the legs that run from the SLIDERS to their mounting points on the framerails, or just figure on using a BFH? Or can I cut out your STIFFENERS where the "feet" of the sliders' legs go flush up against the framerails?

 

[srmitchell]

I installs sky hd offroad stiffeners after my Ajs sliders. We cut slots in the stiffeners, so they could fit without blocking the holes. We welded the stiffener with the rails removed, and then reinstalled the slider rails, with tack welds at the frame for extra strength.

 

[ZenDragon]

Anybody know if these stiffeners interfere with any of the Rusty's skid plates?