Searched the archives and found lots of info on framed jeeps but did not ru across any on a Unibody.

Here is my idea. I want to get rid of the stock X member and incorperate it with a flat (well it will have a tcase cut out) skid.

My unirails are sleeved in 1/4 inch so welding surface for the mounts is fine.

Like this. Hope it come across clear.

http://www.wheelingadventures.com/Northern4x4/iB_html/uploads/post-2-96139-Revision1.jpg

http://www.wheelingadventures.com/Northern4x4/iB_html/uploads/post-2-96046-revision2.jpg

http://www.wheelingadventures.com/Northern4x4/iB_html/uploads/post-2-96006-Revision3.jpg

No making fun of my CAD skills or lack there of.....

Anyone think that it would be wise to make this out of 1/8th? or a combination of 1/8 with a 1/4 reinforced Transfer area?:flipoff2:

Thanks in advance.

1/8 th would be to thin maybe 3/16 but probabaly 1/4 will be your best bet.My only concern would be the weight but your praobaly better off with the skid.

Ken

That is basically what the RE skid does for the TJ. Nice and heavy. It can take a banging.

Is the RE skid reinforced around the edges? Or is it just a big ass plate?

I would run 3/16 flat plate with a couple of cross braces on top. this is how most of the TJ ones are done. Oh, and I dig the trail fixed exhaust :flipoff2: .

yeah that looks pretty solid. check out bortons website to see how he did his as a starting point anyhow. www.jeepfreak.com i believe it is. got any pics of the sleeved unibody rails? maybe one from the outside and one from the inside? did you bolt them on? a few have done it, but everyone is so vague with descriptions i cant get a good handle on it.

Hunter

Originally posted by Alaska ZJ
Is the RE skid reinforced around the edges? Or is it just a big ass plate?

The RE has a 'mount' that bolts to the frame, then the skid bolts to the 'mount'.

By bolting the skid to the 'mount' you can remove it easily. And the RE has the control arm brackets built into the 'mount', which you don't need.

First the Unirail Sleeves. I took a piece of 4x6 .250 and cut the 6 inch side in half basically making 2 3x4 .250 c channels. Pound them on with a framing hammer. It is a tight fit but not overly tight. Secure it with a few 7/16 grade 8 bolts. Weld up the ends and spot it for 2 inches or so every 6 inches or so. I got pics but they are not up on the new server so you will have to wait.


Onto my skid. It's basic dimensions are 34x28 with cutouts for the rear driveshaft and tcase drain.

I am going to use 6 grade 8 3/8 capscrews to secure it basically like RoknZJ did.

The Skid/ x member combo is going to be 3/16 A514 plate. that plate has a 350 hardness and a 115,000 pound tensile streangth. When compared to the standard A36 that is only like 30,000 pounds. This metal requires Cobalt bits to drill and it a bit trickier to weld but the wieght savings v. streagth is downright awesome. It's official use is Pressure Vessel Plating. Should do the trick....

I thought about using some AR 400 that has a hardness of 455 but it is a bitch to weld and cut so I am not going to use that. That plate is the stuff they use in Loader buckets and is "abrasion resistant"

I worked this out last night with Bgreen as he is a machinist and knows a bit more about metal properties than I do. Thanks Brook and Your Welcome for the Fun game!!!

Black Jack-Damn thing gets shorter every trail run, LOL:flipoff2:

Well it can be done on an XJ.

Here is a pic of my first try to get it flat.
I pretty much took a flat 1/4" plate and put 1x1" tube welded to it for support.
I have since added to this soit covers more, but it is pretty much still flat.

http://www.extremewebz.com/Dcp_0007.jpg

http://www.extremewebz.com/Dcp_0004.jpg

Thanks guys. RoknZJ has a flat skid as well on his ZJ and between the lot of you I have some good information and enought o do this project I think.

Anyone have any comments on my choice of materials?