SurplusFan98
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- LA
I've got a 97 4.0 Manual, and I'm getting ready to do some work on the backend. I already have a tow hitch and a factory gas tank skid attached to the frame. I'm going to remove the hitch, add low profile shackle relocation brackets and an XRC tire carrier which mounts to the frame in the rear. My use case is NOT heavy rock crawling but overlanding and some light offroading. In the future i'm considering modifying the interior of the jeep (adding weight) and also possibly towing an overland trailer at some point (>3000lbs).
I've realized i'm adding a bunch of weight and the backend of the frame will likely bear the brunt of it. This seems like a good time to add frame support since I'm taking the whole thing apart. But, I don't know that I really need it, and I've even seen where some in the rock crawling community say the back ones don't even really provide much support compared to the others. If I don't need these, I can get the rest of the work done in a day. If I do add these, its much more expensive and time consuming, and I'm not even sure the payoff is worth it.
My question is: given my use case, would you go to the extra time and expense to add rear stiffeners before making the other mods?
I've realized i'm adding a bunch of weight and the backend of the frame will likely bear the brunt of it. This seems like a good time to add frame support since I'm taking the whole thing apart. But, I don't know that I really need it, and I've even seen where some in the rock crawling community say the back ones don't even really provide much support compared to the others. If I don't need these, I can get the rest of the work done in a day. If I do add these, its much more expensive and time consuming, and I'm not even sure the payoff is worth it.
My question is: given my use case, would you go to the extra time and expense to add rear stiffeners before making the other mods?