My first build! Jake's 93xj Blog

[CAJJ93XJ]

here is the write up I used for welding to a unibody http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/9750902-post14.html

it recommended cleaning the frame by hand with 80 grit so you don't remove as much material as you would with a grinder. but I found that using this orange clean and strip wheel at a low speed cleaned the frame bare and didn't even shoot sparks. awesome tool cleans damn near any material right off

layed down some galvanizing primer

and since I bounced my frame off the rocks a good couple times, fitment was an issue. after some hammering around I got it close. there were still gaps. it wasn't particularly fun welding these

to anyone considering rock crawling I highly recommend you install at leaset middle frame stiffeners before you anything else

other than that I was much happier with these HDOffroad stiffeners over the ruffstuff ones. these weighed about 10lbs each and were easy to work with. I've still got a little more welding to do, then clean, then lay down some paint

 

[KTMqdracer]

Have any trouble welding through that primer?

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

Have any trouble welding through that primer?

not at all. it's pretty expensive stuff. don't buy yours at home depot

 

[Forceful Llama]

Nicely done patch on that side.

 

[#S194]

Nice work. Where did you find that orange wheel? I need to clean my rails up, doing my stiffeners soon and that looks like it will do the job.

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

thank you guys. you can buy them at any automotive paint store. jerrys paints, sunrise automotive, macs distributing. same places you should pick up some good galvanizing primer

 

[Jeep450r]

Looking real good Jake. I wish I had half those sheetmetal skills!

 

[Letterman]

Have any trouble welding through that primer?

:yelclap:

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

thanks Kevin I wish I had half those skills too.
the primer burned fine for me. I used really light coats. how would you guys have done it?

 

[Rammin97]

I believe you did it the right way. Moisture will get to metal, especially bare metal no matter how well you think you sealed it. So did you have the Ruffstuff stiffeners already and decided to go with the HD ones? I am curious since this has now made it onto my To Do list.. Thanks

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

I believe you did it the right way. Moisture will get to metal, especially bare metal no matter how well you think you sealed it. So did you have the Ruffstuff stiffeners already and decided to go with the HD ones? I am curious since this has now made it onto my To Do list.. Thanks

yeah I had heard things about trouble with welding primer but I figured it was better than nothing. I did have a set from ruffstuff. they were massive, looked difficult to weld. I did a lot of research on frame stiffening. I messaged Brian who is the rep or vendor for HD and I talked with him about thickness of steel and how the 10 gauge HD ones compare.

Connected to the frame correctly the 10 ga will be stronger than the 3/16, with the rosette holes I provide it allows you to attach them correctly. I ran these on my rig with tons and 42s and full cage and had no issues, I beat my rig harder then 99 percent of xj owners.
Let me know if you have any other questions,
Thank
Brian H

.....

The number of holes and the thickness of the material is key. No I didn't have any other things added to stiffen the rig other than the cage being tied into them. Go ahead and order through the site when ready.
Thanks
Brian H

he had me convinced that his product was better. and saving some weight can be a bonus depending on what you're looking for. even with my frame dented I was still able to work the 10g enough to hug tightly. and I do have plans for a roll cage among other frame stiffening ideas. so HD was definitely the right choice for me

//spiel

 

[blondejoncherokee]

I installed the ruffstuff, they were a pain to fit , but extremely beefy. steering got much better after the install.

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

it looked like an awesome product and I love Dan and Ruffstuff. great company

 

[XJensen]

I used some weld through primer. Finishing up the driver side now. No issues welding

 

[KTMqdracer]

yeah I had heard things about trouble with welding primer but I figured it was better than nothing.

I was just curious, since I'll be doing mine in the next week or two. Do you remember the brand primer. I've read some are better than others

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

I was just curious, since I'll be doing mine in the next week or two. Do you remember the brand primer. I've read some are better than others

no I don't. definitely go to an automotive paint store and talk to them about it they'll know best. it's thick finicky stuff. if you do talk to them ask if there is a proper way to spray it (its a rattle can) because mine clogged up on me

 

[XJensen]

I used the krylon stuff. Got it at the welding supply shop.

Not thick at all, sprayed on nice didn't burn or contaminate the weld

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

got my 35's bolted up. I'm loving these tires already thank you Phil for the hookup
I can definitely feel the difference in power. wishing I had 4.88's but it's not the end of the world. I'm sure the aluminum wheels help a bit

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

stock steering is going bye bye asap. in the meantime here's some pics I've accumulated

 

[CAJJ93XJ]

I wish I could say I've been workin on this thing. but instead I've been wheeling it. went to moonrocks and ran gatekeeper in reno for easter


here's the only pics I got from moonrocks. still waiting for a video. moonrocks was nasty as hell

there were a couple awesome KOH rigs out there rippin it up too