weight vs light...frame stiffeners,etc.

John Fuller

John Fuller

XJ Fanatic!!
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Jan 3, 2015
Location
Boone NC
hey guys..was looking into getting some frame stiffeners this week along with start the "plating the frame throughout" my xj but kinda been thinking on someone's comment of too much weight SO i never really gave it that much thought as to how much weight is too much for a 4x4? i'm sure some scenarios are better for lighter and some for heavier but i guess in Mountainous trails with a xj..do you want to be heavy or lighter for general kinds of trails/adventures found in the Mountains (lots of hills, banks, rocky climbs, some mud, snow for sure, ravines, ledges) hope to not stir up too much of a debate but just looking for some 4x4 physics i guess on weight of vehicles off road...just never really thought about it. thank you
 
i get that...for this xj wheeling style is moderate (until my dream of trailering it to say the Flats someday) i would say for now but plans are to end up with some swort of modified Diffs in the future and if not, it will for sure get beat on more than any other jeep of mine
 
Everything is relative.
Extra weight requires extra power to move.
Extra weight also increases stress on components. Extra Power also adds stress.

Im not trying to pick on you or repeat the D30 vs 1 ton argument.
But the more weight you add the more you will need to upgrade.

has to work in harmony. You can wheel a 4cyl and make light axles live. You can go big heavy and nasty.
Try to stay out of the middle
 
Your Cherokee has a frame?......


.....all seriousness though. If your just running some 31's and hitting Sampson every now and then put your coin somewhere else.
 
points taken on weight...but if i may..still want to know what wheels better...light or weight. i wheeled a Tahoe back in the day on 35s and it seemed to climb over stuff way easier than cherokee but off course sucked in the muddy stuff..so was that cause of weight mostly or weight and longer wheel base? and i've seen lighter yjs and sammies go way better in mud so i know lighter for mud is better. (power is not an issue for me...that's one thing i'm able to produce more of without killing my wallet) right now i'm pushing these 35s better than most are pushing a set of 33s
 
Plating the frame and frame stiffners are one in the same. You don't need massive heavy metal to make the frame more ridged, which is the end goal with a cherokee. I think the frame plates I got are only 1/8 thick and have holes threw out them. Most people stitch weld them and weld the edges of the whole. This allows for some body flex but still holds everything strong.
 
lighter works better for pretty much every situation
 
If you are going to increase strength in a lightweight rig like the one you have as an avatar, I would add it in the rocker area which doubles as protection. Either bolt ons or cut your existing rockers out and put some square/rectangular in there.

The steering box mounts are also another place on any rig a little extra metal never hurt.
 
oh the steering has been braced/reinforced long ago..lol, learned that years and years back. the rockers are def on my to do list as soon as i get some funds for metal.
 
[QUOTE="Skinny, post: 1331137, member: 22493or cut your existing rockers out and put some square/rectangular in there.

[/QUOTE]


Unibody.
Dont cut the rockers.
But Im sure he knows that, he's got a ton of experience with XJs
 
yeah i know some do cut em but i wouldn't..i plan on making step bars with rockers in the same time bolted and all welded in to frame rails and tie it in to the rockers also. fenders is about all i cut on these xjs lol
 
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