A new twist on frame stiffener's.

[Action Fab]

That lip will need to be removed and ground flush with the frame rail. Once the stiffeners are installed they will stucturally take place of the spot welds holding the two layers of sheet metal together at that joint. I have aleady delt with that issue and have not had anyone with problems using my plate system's that are on the trail now.

Another questing that I know will be asked is whether the factory cross member will still bolt in... the answer is yes and know. It would... But I don't plan to make previsions for the stock mounting hardwear. I could make previsions... but I really don't see the need to use the stock cross member with this system. I will be adding a crossmember in with the frame stiffeners that will work in conjunction with my flat belly skid plate. My skid plate will require the t-case to be tucked up into the frame rails, this will require a new crossmember anyway so I may as well make it part of the kit. That means that t-case drops wont work with my system.

 

[MoparManiac]

So frame stiffeners and crossmember would have to be done at the same time then?

I think you're overlooking a market segment where you could be selling only your stiffeners (I don't know of any other bolt-on stiffeners).

 

[Action Fab]

So frame stiffeners and crossmember would have to be done at the same time then?

I think you're overlooking a market segment where you could be selling only your stiffeners (I don't know of any other bolt-on stiffeners).

Well that was my plan... But this is why I ask questions and research my market. The crossmember isn't very complex and wouldn't add much to the cost of my stiffeners. We are talking about an increase of about $40 (ball park number) for the new crossmember.

EDIT: Here is a quick paint picture I made to give you a rough idea... It's a simple peace of .120 wall tube that has a pad for the transmission mount, two flanges to bolt to the stiffeners and a notch for front output clearance. I will be able to also offer options for things like atlas, dana 300 and doublers.

Here is my train of thought:

If I were in the market for stiffeners and a company offered a competitivly priced kit that added a smooth frame rail offered future options and moved my t-case up by getting rid of the huge rock anchor factory crossmember. I would for sure go that rought. I (personally) don't see many people wanting to retain the factory crossmember and install these new frame stiffeners... given the option to swap to a better design. If I am wrong, it's just a matter of adding a few more holes and a few more nutserts.

Keep the questions and comments comming. I'd like to hear all of your concerns before getting to far into my design process.

-Chris.

 

[Lowrange2]

I'm anxious to see how this is going to work.

 

[MoparManiac]

If the cost jump is relatively small for a new crossmember as well, then yup I don't see the big deal.

The only people I think that are getting overlooked are ones who currently have a long-arm system or some type of other suspension setup that just want stiffeners.

IMO, it sounds like you're targeting the hardcore guy who is starting with a completely fresh stock XJ.

 

[Lowrange2]

You're targeting the hardcore guy who is starting with a completely fresh stock XJ.

Unfortunately, this isn't how I started.

 

[Action Fab]

If the cost jump is relatively small for a new crossmember as well, then yup I don't see the big deal.

The only people I think that are getting overlooked are ones who currently have a long-arm system or some type of other suspension setup that just want stiffeners.

IMO, it sounds like you're targeting the hardcore guy who is starting with a completely fresh stock XJ.

Well I havn't over looked it. But it's just one of those things that wont work with my system. As of now there really arn't any kits that will just weld right in with an off the shelf LA system. Most long arm kits also add some bracing to the structure them selfs. They are desined to bolt in against the rails and don't allow room for plating between them and the frame rails (some do allow adjustment I know). The guys that are buying frame plates usualy are fairly new to the game and are trying to save their XJ before it's trashed. It's not like they won't work on an already modified jeep... they just wont work with other off the shelf long arm kits and some other products.

Yes, my main market I plan to cater to is for the most part, the more hardcore demographic. And not just the guys that are starting with a stock unmolested jeep... There are a ton of guys that get by with out going to crazy with their rig. But know later down the road they are going to want to build it more and would like the peace of mind that they can do things in stages with out a lot of work. I had a guy call me the other day about my new bumper wanting to add it to his jeep with the wings(available first of next month) just because he can then cut down to a stubby bumper by simply unbolting the wings. After he gets a tow rig/DD he wants to dove nose the and front and do a full build at that point. But for now he is forced to keep it mild as it's his DD.

-Chris

 

[MoparManiac]

I hear ya, I'm not even sure the long arm without stiffeners guys is a large demographic.

I was one of them with my old XJ though. Never got around to the stiffeners before the body got trashed though :laugh:

 

[Action Fab]

Yah... that is what happens to a lot of guys. But even when the frame is beat, pinch welds are cracked and control arms are ripped off. You can still go back and add bracing like this to solve a lot of the problem. Plus even for the do it your selfter like you... It gives a nice flat square place to build from. The other stiffener kits on the market follow the weird shape of the factory rails.

I know your not in the market and I keep saying you... It's just a "for instance".

-Chris.

 

[MoparManiac]

Yah... that is what happens to a lot of guys. But even when the frame is beat, pinch welds are cracked and control arms are ripped off. You can still go back and add bracing like this to solve a lot of the problem. Plus even for the do it your selfter like you... It gives a nice flad square bace to build from. The other stiffener kits on the market follow the weird shape of the factory rails.

I know your not in the market and I keep saying you... It's just a "for instance".

-Chris.

I hear ya.

The MJ has a flat bottom already. The frame bows out through right after the crossmember, and then comes back in at the front leaf spring hanger.

Makes for interesting stiffener/rock rail work :laugh:

 

[Lowrange2]

Why couldn't they have built these damn things on a frame from the get go!?

 

[Action Fab]

New technology that AMC tried to put into use to save weight.