alright, i searched, found nothing, i'm thinking of getting some 2x4" box, 3/16" and making my own frame for my 5. do i really need to bend the box up over the axles like stock, or can i just have two straight runners front to rear? i plan to make the frame, slide in the rear 60 and front 44 and then throw in the 304 and t-18, then just plop the body on top. i need to redo all my body mounts anyways so i can do all that at the same time.

Id be curious if anyone has done this.I would imagine you would have to run tour springs outboard so you could get sone reverse arch though.t

get in touch with yldkat. he is a member but doesnt post much. he did what you are talking about but i think he ended up cuting the frame and laying the front and back part of the frame on top of the center section not sure why you will have to ask him to find out. the whole build up is on www.alloffroad.com look up yldkat i guess

I was wondering the same. I suspect the factory raised ends allow for more suspension travel (axle vs frame rail) and gives back a better center of gravity.:D

I think a straight fram would cause some suspension problems, Not enough room for axle movement, also in the front the engine and axle clearance would be close. The only way everything would work is you would have to build it so tall, it would be unstable or very tall.

I am building my own frame and I plan on stacking the steel to give me the clearance I want.

If you look at your frame as the center line of gravity, a straight frame would have most of the weight above the center.
If you allow the mid-section to hang below the center line it will counter the weight that is above the center.
I built my frame to allow the mid section to hang 7" below the center line....this will also help allow room for upward suspension travel but not necessary if you are not looking the the optimum center of gravity.
-Kerry

For my frame i used 4x2x3/16". Everyone said it was too heavy but it only added about 40lbs over 1/8".

Mine is only rectangular tubing to the back of the t-case, it is tube from there. What I did was stacked the front portion of the frame on top of the middle part. Where it overlaps the ends are cut 45* on each so it flows nicely. I hope this makes sense, it is the way most people do it.

Go for it.

CJ