I was putting the hard top on the other day, and while standing in the rear tub (right in the middle), heard some creacking. Spent some time underneath:
1)Frame rails run pretty wide spread, with the rear seat mounting points sitting on them
2)Because of the gas tank, I couldnt see whether there were any X-members criss-crossing under the rear tub , so hence the question: What is holding it there? Just the sheetings of steel, stamped together?
THose who raised the tank, what did you see in there? I am thinking of putting a tub tire carrier in there , not sure if the "sheeting" will hold
TIA

There's a crossmember that spans the framerails just behind the rear wheels. That crossmember also serves as the front mounting point for your gas tank, your rear upper shock mounts, and it also incorporates 2 body mounts. The "bed" of a TJ will safely support plenty of weight, in my uneducated opinion.

If you're hearing creaking, it's most likey your fat ass compressing the suspension a little. A little grease goes a long way, and no I don't mean a bucket o' fried chicken.

cm "Jenny Craig worked for me" k

BTW, :flipoff2: Newbie !

Seeing that your're from WI and assuming you've got a TJ. how has the undercoating in that area held up? I am in the lower rust belt and have seen floors come and go. Herc or Rhino necessary?
Also, is the tub sitting flat on the X-member and compress under load, which would explain the creaking (other than fried chicken overindulgence)

I allowed a T-case output shaft seal leak to go long enough such that my entire underside from the center skid back to the axle has a nice greasy coating of ATF and dirt.

Honestly, I worked at Ziebart for a summer doing undercoatings and rustproofing. That crap is the biggest scam. You are far better off saving the money you would spend on that junk and hose off your undercarriage at the "U Spray It" car wash once a week.

Between the "bed" and the x-member are 2 body mounts. So no, it does not sit flat on the member.

I would still wager a bucket of extra tasty crispy that the creeks you're hearing are coming from a suspension joint and not the bodywork.

cm "popcorn chicken's back ... for a limited time" k

Today at lunch I went at it full force...Flexed the living shiyte out of the rear on a docking ramp and no creaks from there. Looked real good underneath and found that X-member to which the rear of the gas tank is shlapped on. No flex or noticable bends there, so it its prolly the dried up coating or that Chrysler goo shiyte just creaking on its own. BTW, DC coating is very spotty in that area, almost none, other than the fancy shining muffler shield...Man, that thing will get hit...
KFC intake is safe for now
:smokin: