I am not sure how Hard Core this is - but I am working on doing a "belly up" type of setup on my TJ and I am looking for some input. My drivetrain is stock with a SYE on the 231 and 8.8 rear. I run 3.5" lift and 1" body lift - and I am trying to flatten out the belly some. I planned to build a stand alone crossmember with a seperate skid - but after staring at it for the past several nights trying to get it to fit - I don't think I can do it without having to cut out the exhaust and get that all rerouted higher up. It seems like mounting the tranny mount directly to the skid will be easier - but I am wondering if anyone has pictures on a setup they have do or suggestions on building one. Thanks.

motor mount lift.

I should have clarified - I have a 1" motor mount lift installed already. Thanks though.

Body lift...

http://www.kcjeepclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5808

Long post, but this is how I did it on my YJ. I will actually get to drive it tonight, but I think it will work out just fine. Page 2 really details my revised transmission mount.

Thanks. That is just the kind of thing I am looking for.

No problem. Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

It was actually a pretty easy thing to figure out. I too originally had the separate cross-member idea, but decided that it wouldn't work as I planned because my precision wasn't high enough. To get around the exhaust and front driveshaft issues I would have just bent the tube to get it to clear. That was easy enough to figure out. I could have made an upper and lower cross-member mount on each frame rail that would have kept it stable, but the fuel and brake lines on the driver side are in the way and I didn't feel like jacking with it any more.

Good luck!

I used the stock mount in the stock location, a recessed mount on the skid, you can just barely see the four bolt holes in the front of the skid. the skid is tube framed and reinforced... you can see the 2 tubes running front to rear in the middle of the skid, and it also has angle on the top side for additional reinforcement. its plated with 1/8". the sides at the frame are 3" angle that bolt to the frame

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/rioharbour/skid.jpg