WaXJ_Skier
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Bellevue, Wa
I have a new XJ high pressure line that has never been used if you want to purchase a cheap spare
The Nail Salon
- Thread starter TORX
- Start date
kenny811
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Damascus, OR
Nice Job Dustin!! I had the same issue with clearance of the track bar & spring pad. I cut mine back as far as I could, it worked fine.
So with a few days of commuting to make sure everything was good to go, I trekked up to Evans Creek this past weekend.
Jeep did surprisingly well on the drive up since I got the tires rebalanced the day before.
It was awesome to be out on the trails again.
JCR's definitely got used a lot. This was the first time I came out of Evans dent free, just a good scuff on the hatch. Shittlbuffout.
Overall it was a successful trip. Got some miles on the new front end, and most importantly I didn't break anything TORXstyle.
Jeep did surprisingly well on the drive up since I got the tires rebalanced the day before.
It was awesome to be out on the trails again.
JCR's definitely got used a lot. This was the first time I came out of Evans dent free, just a good scuff on the hatch. Shittlbuffout.
Overall it was a successful trip. Got some miles on the new front end, and most importantly I didn't break anything TORXstyle.
After a fun weekend on the trails, the wheels started turning again for the build. I had a few "want" items after, but then realized I better stay on track and finish armoring this pig up.
I still had the tank skid I made for Jeepforceone.
I figured I may as well see how off 96- tanks are from the 97+ ones. I tried to fit it in place, but the hitch was interfering. Off with the hitch, it's just a few 18mm bolts. To get the studs holding the tank heat shielding on I just used an 8mm socket on the bottom of them.
Unfortunately when I fit it up, I could tell the angles were just a hair off, which was a bummer. The skid was rubbing on the tank straps, and the rear mounting lip was about 2" off.
I brainstormed for awhile, and figured my best option would be to trim down the skid a bit to clear the tank straps, maybe modify the angles a bit, and then build some side supports to mount it off the hitch bolts. Similar to the JCR and OEM skids.
That would require work though, which I'm not too thrilled about. Another option is just getting another sheet of 3/16, and making a new one for the 97+ tank. I don't have access to the press brake I used before, but there's other ways to bend plate. Might spend some time with C(ardboard)AD tomorrow, and see just how off it is. It would be so much easier just to buy a stupid bolt on skid, but once again I'm cheap.
Also, I'm researching t-case skids as well. Tossing around some ideas, but I think I got a plan. Hoping to gain some clearance, and protect the case at the same time.
I still had the tank skid I made for Jeepforceone.
I figured I may as well see how off 96- tanks are from the 97+ ones. I tried to fit it in place, but the hitch was interfering. Off with the hitch, it's just a few 18mm bolts. To get the studs holding the tank heat shielding on I just used an 8mm socket on the bottom of them.
Unfortunately when I fit it up, I could tell the angles were just a hair off, which was a bummer. The skid was rubbing on the tank straps, and the rear mounting lip was about 2" off.
I brainstormed for awhile, and figured my best option would be to trim down the skid a bit to clear the tank straps, maybe modify the angles a bit, and then build some side supports to mount it off the hitch bolts. Similar to the JCR and OEM skids.
That would require work though, which I'm not too thrilled about. Another option is just getting another sheet of 3/16, and making a new one for the 97+ tank. I don't have access to the press brake I used before, but there's other ways to bend plate. Might spend some time with C(ardboard)AD tomorrow, and see just how off it is. It would be so much easier just to buy a stupid bolt on skid, but once again I'm cheap.
Also, I'm researching t-case skids as well. Tossing around some ideas, but I think I got a plan. Hoping to gain some clearance, and protect the case at the same time.
Djmack
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Travis AFB
Jcr makes a fine t-case skid. Pretty thick too. Although the mounting hardware they send you is trash.
- Location
- South San Francisco, CA
The JCR skid is awesome, but Dustin is right...it's expensive. I'm curious to see what TORXfab comes up with!
The Nail Salon is looking sexy...looks like your front end is dialed in.
The Nail Salon is looking sexy...looks like your front end is dialed in.
knucklehead 61
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Cottage Grove, Oregon
for the price the jcr tank skid is tough to beat & strong as hell.
they seem to always have great thanksgiving day sales, that's when i bought all my jcr armor.
they seem to always have great thanksgiving day sales, that's when i bought all my jcr armor.
Icemans
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Ridgefield, Washington
Just a thought. By the time i bought the steel and hardware plus extra tools i needed (because i cant do a new project without new tools) i was paying myself under $5 an hour to build my own tank skid. My time is worth more then that just saying. I ended up buying the JCR skid it was the best you could buy in my opinion. 
NW99XJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Gresham, Or.
I'm anxious to see what you come up with.
I've been toying around with some concepts of my own, but i dont have nearly the fab skills you do.
NW99XJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Gresham, Or.
I've thought about reinforcing the OEM one I have.. .the lines are all there already, just need to burn on some plate in key areas....
I noticed on the drive home from Evans the Jeep was riding kind of rough. After unloading all my junk, I narrowed it down to the right rear corner.
Well there's your problem. Shock seized up.
It's either because I A. overheated it (what I'm going to tell people), or B. because I procrastinated on bump stopping the rear and killed it while pre-running 311. :dunno:
Well there's your problem. Shock seized up.
It's either because I A. overheated it (what I'm going to tell people), or B. because I procrastinated on bump stopping the rear and killed it while pre-running 311. :dunno:
Committed to building a new tank skid. Got out the cardboard, angle of the dangle, and a tape measure and began making a template. Version3.0 and we're golden. You can see on the bottom, late models have a stupid bulge in the bottom for the pick up, you have to account for.
Fine tuning required some splicing. Very high tech with the packing tape.
Just for comparison the difference in a 96- and 97+. Late models start angling up quicker, and have an additional bend on the back.
Just need to pick up some plate, and start bending.
Fine tuning required some splicing. Very high tech with the packing tape.
Just for comparison the difference in a 96- and 97+. Late models start angling up quicker, and have an additional bend on the back.
Just need to pick up some plate, and start bending.
32x36" .188 plate. I debated on using 10 gauge, but after seeing multiple stock skids bend over the years, I think .188" is a good choice for this application.
Going off my template I laid out my bend lines.
Since I didn't have access to a press brake, I chose to bend the plate using the "scoring" method. Use a cut off wheel to score the bend line, then use some leverage to complete the bend.
Two cut off wheels later, and some muscle I had the skid bent to shape. This is where I wish I had some dimple dies.
I burned some excess material off the front and rear lips. 36" was a bit over what is required, but I wanted some extra just in case I needed to make any adjustments.
After I fit it up under the Jeep to check clearances, I started burning it in. To minimize warpage I skip welded in 4" sections.
Just over 13 feet of weld later.
That's where it stands now. Just have to weld on some front hangers, drill the rear for some attachment points, and then shoot some paint at it.
All in all, very simple project. I'm probably six hours and $56 in at this point.
Going off my template I laid out my bend lines.
Since I didn't have access to a press brake, I chose to bend the plate using the "scoring" method. Use a cut off wheel to score the bend line, then use some leverage to complete the bend.
Two cut off wheels later, and some muscle I had the skid bent to shape. This is where I wish I had some dimple dies.
I burned some excess material off the front and rear lips. 36" was a bit over what is required, but I wanted some extra just in case I needed to make any adjustments.
After I fit it up under the Jeep to check clearances, I started burning it in. To minimize warpage I skip welded in 4" sections.
Just over 13 feet of weld later.
That's where it stands now. Just have to weld on some front hangers, drill the rear for some attachment points, and then shoot some paint at it.
All in all, very simple project. I'm probably six hours and $56 in at this point.
- Location
- South San Francisco, CA
Very clean...nice work.
For the front hangers I used some pieces of stainless tubing I found in the scrap pile.
Got the front hangers welded on, and then trimmed the sides because I felt like it.
The rear lip bolts to the rear cross member, so that needed to be drilled for bolts. Four 5/16" bolts takes care of the job.
I test fit it one last time, drilled the holes in the rear cross member, and then pulled it for paint. I chose to use Rustoleum Satin enamel, and rolled it on. I used this on the skids for the last Jeep, and found it to be very durable.
One more project I can cross off the list, and one less worry I'll have on the trail.
This week I hope to get a transfer case skid knocked out.
Got the front hangers welded on, and then trimmed the sides because I felt like it.
The rear lip bolts to the rear cross member, so that needed to be drilled for bolts. Four 5/16" bolts takes care of the job.
I test fit it one last time, drilled the holes in the rear cross member, and then pulled it for paint. I chose to use Rustoleum Satin enamel, and rolled it on. I used this on the skids for the last Jeep, and found it to be very durable.
One more project I can cross off the list, and one less worry I'll have on the trail.
This week I hope to get a transfer case skid knocked out.
knucklehead 61
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Cottage Grove, Oregon
why did you not box in the sides for mucho added strength?
ie: i have a jcr skid on my green heep.
it is 3/16 & now has a large dent on one of the bend lines.
that hit would have crushed it & the tank if it had open ends.
just food for thought...
ie: i have a jcr skid on my green heep.
it is 3/16 & now has a large dent on one of the bend lines.
that hit would have crushed it & the tank if it had open ends.
just food for thought...
"I have to drive this to work on Monday." :dunno:
Good question. I don't know. I ran this same design on the last Jeep for years, and I seemed to drag that thing across every rock in the Northwest. When I took it off it was still straight as the day it went on.
I guess if I do ever manage to legitimately crush the skid, it'll still save the tank, and then make a cool coffee table.
Icemans
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Ridgefield, Washington
