Cut Lower Rear Quarters...(pics and write-up)

[freerider15]

No problem. I think this write up was actually done by one of his sons. I have a rigidco front winch bumper myself, grade A stuff.

~Scott

No, actually it was me that did this write-up

 

[Blaine B.]

When I cut my lower quarters my hatch wouldn't close. Also you can see that the bumper is now 1/2" to 3/4" closer to the passenger side taillight than the driver's side taillight.

I guess these quarter panels were holding it together. I attribute that to the entire cargo area floor rotting away over the previous winter.

 

[Muddy Beast]

No, actually it was me that did this write-up

Sorry, your pics are on his flickr and made an assumption you're his son. :wierd:
My bad. :thumbup:

~Scott

 

[96xjeeper]

Heres mine complete:

 

[Jimbo_1321]

might wanna change that bumper up.
if anything goes that high and gets in front of your bumper it looks like it'll just get hooked there

 

[96xjeeper]

If anything goes that high I probably don't belong there. Thats a 6 1/2" lift and 35's. But if it hooks something I will cut the ends off the bumper and weld new caps on it.

 

[hdcorxj]

i have been pretty reluctant to do this on my 97 my concern is what about the shackle mount? doesn't the whole rear quarter panel brace that?

 

[Blaine B.]

No it doesn't. Doesn't have much to do with the shackle mount besides both of them are "metal" ha.

 

[96xjeeper]

after cutting, folding, a coat of silicone, and the welding I thinkit is stronger than stock

 

[rob92xj]

I've been debating over doing this for about a year now and the thread resurfaces sounds like a sign to me.

 

[punkweston]

Heres a little bump.. i plan on starting this on my 95 xj with 4.5" of lift and 33's tonight when i get home.. i will post up some pics asap

 

[saburai]

Heres a little bump.. i plan on starting this on my 95 xj with 4.5" of lift and 33's tonight when i get home.. i will post up some pics asap

Glad to see he folowed up with the pics

 

[dneitzling]

Great write up...I'm doing mine now. Except I left 4 tabs to be folded in (like the top of a box I guess) and then I used 8, 1" long 1/4-20 bolts to bolt everything together.

 

[stevieb]

what is the story with it weakening the rear body structure? i heard it aint a good thing. i want to do mine as well but after reading a couple comments else where i have double thoughts on the idea.
True or False

 

[dave92cherokee]

Doing the cut and fold doesn't do anything to the structural strength of the rear.

 

[Blaine B.]

Doing the cut and fold doesn't do anything to the structural strength of the rear.

I wouldn't say that necessarily. It might not affect anything if your XJ is perfect without any rust on the floor.

After i cut my rear quarter rockers my hatch wouldn't close and the passenger side rear of the XJ sagged about an inch or so. I can fit two fingers between the driver's side tail light and the bumper, but can only fit one finger between the passenger side tail light and the bumper.

I also had to stack a bunch of spacers between the roof and my passenger side hatch hinge to get it to close. It doesn't close evenly and still rubs the bumper on the passenger side but at least it closes.

I wish I never cut the rear quarter panel rockers but oh well, my XJ's body has just about had it.

 

[hdcorxj]

i would say yes it does affect the structural integrity but thats why you add lots of bracing

 

[markaboo929]

I had the body shop where i work do it for me.I also had them seperate the outter panel and remove 1" and re-joined it in the wheel well with 1/8" steel formed to shape of the old stock flare-i also have a c 4x4 fab bumber in the rear that has been modified to bolt to my hitch--- no strength issues there.i have not taken pictures yet-----soon to come.........

 

[DeftwillP]

i would say yes it does affect the structural integrity but thats why you add lots of bracing

What kind of hitch is that?

 

[Mr.OverKill]

i would say yes it does affect the structural integrity but thats why you add lots of bracing

you are an idiot, the lower rear quarters have zero structural effect on your rig when you cut them as long as you fold and re attach the skin, as a matter of fact it is stronger because it is doubled up when done right, second the fact the metal is up out of the way helps as is obvious

but i like the hitch mount design concept but it needs a lot more tie in to be safe from what i see, how many holes does it use??? just the bumper holes?? if so that's my point if not it looks good