Another TJ crossmember/flat skid

[ChrisO]

I've been working on BoulderBob's TJ and have installed a Atlas 5.0 behind his 5-speed. I clocked it up as far as possible and did some cutting on the floor for clearance.

Then I built a crossmember with stock LCA bushings at the frame, and ran it straight between rails.



The skid plate below is made from 1/4" aluminum, and is flat against the frame, with only a small pocket for Atlas clearance.





Now that this part of the project is done, I get to move on to the front axle/suspension. It's getting a Tera 60R & coilovers!

[Daless2]

Looks Good Chris.

I like the use of the Control Arm Bushing. Neat idea!

Thought for you,

You might want to cut an access hole in the skid right under the drain plug for the Atlas. I did this with mine and it makes a world of difference for me when I change the fluid.

I think your implementation is none load bearing on the skid. This may not be needed, but perhaps still useful to not have to drop the skid for a T/case fluid change.

Just a thought.

Again, nice design.

Frank

PS: The fun part is rebuilding the floor boards!

[StealthTJ]

It'll be interesting to see if 1/4" holds up to rocks.
Did you use an alloy, such as 6061 T6 or 7075 T6 ?
My bet is that you'll going to need 3/8" (6061 T6) for heavy rock use.




Fred

[ChrisO]

Frank,
Good input. I will ask BoulderBob if he wants a hole for the drain plug.

Your right, the sheetmetal floor will be a challenge. I sure wish I had a sheetmetal break! I dont think us boys will ever have enough tools, 10-4?

Fred,
I don't think it is 6061-T6, cause the shop that I had the bends put in said that 6061-T6 is too brittle to bend? Anyway, you could be right, it may deflect too much and get all wadded up.

The only thing that it has going for it, is the skid actually sits up against the crossmember. So, it will help add some rigidity(sp?) to it.

[karstman]

Looks real nice.
Have you mocked up the rear driveshaft yet? Just curious about the angles.

Mark

[ChrisO]

Mark,
I have just held it up there and determined that it has to grow a few inches.

The angle should not change much from where Bob had it, because he had a skid plate that was close to flat. I only took the T-case up about one inch, or so, and with the added length of the shaft, it should be OK.

I've got the Tera 60 under it and got the TB, DL, UCA, & LCA's built. Now it's onto the coil-overs, hoops, and all the little stuff.

Bob was here today and mentioned that you might be joining us for the April Montrose/Moab trip?

[karstman]

That's the plan, but work may change the plans for me. The grapevine rumor is that I'm going to be detailed away from Loveland for April and May for some streamflow measurement work prior to and during runoff. If they have me detailed, I won't be able to take leave.

Either way, I'm going to try to get to Moab for a long weekend at the minimum. Too many fun people to run jeeps with to miss it.