Great Video! I just ran into the same problem with the track bar bracket on our XJ. I'm impressed with the effort that you put in to make it right. I took the lazy route and opened up the hole enough to make it fit, then tack welded the bracket to the new frame stiffeners in case my bigger hole introduced any slop. Nice work.
I welded my bracket to the frame because my bolts came loose and one sheared off. Now when I do frame stiffeners, I will have to cut the bracket off first, but I definitely plan on welding in back on afterward.
Well done and explained....now only if I was 40 years younger I could squeeze in the wheel well and get out without getting stuck in the fetal position...lol
Heck yeah, it’ll pull 35s without gears pretty easy but they would sure help. And weld the rear up it’s free and you’ll be barely notice the difference I promise you
@@OutJeeping I love my detroit in the rear. Pretty Easy install but I kept my gears so I wouldn't have to set up new ones. lol The front gears took me forever to get right.
Nice job Austin.So the center section is 3/16 and the front and rear sections are 1/8?That would make sense cause the center section would probably take more abuse scraping on rocks...
Great vid man my only question is I'm a true green horn to welding so my question is I have a hf 125 Flux core would u happen to no what settings I should have it on to attempt this upgrade? Tia
It all depends on the welder you are using, wire thickness, gas or flux-core. I had my welder set to 1/8" off of the machine chart running 0.035" flux-core wire.
What welder did you use? And did you use gas? Also after roughly 3 years have the welds broke or any other issues with them? I’m wanting to weld my own but I need some practice first.
Do you have a full build sheet on this jeep? It is really close to what I want my xj to be eventually. What front axle are you running, gearing, locker etc, and how does it perform on road and off road?
If you are referring to the track bar bracket then that is up to you. I prefer the bracket to be removable but you can weld it to the frame. Just make sure to weld the bottom side as well.
How tight was it to put that track bar bracket brace in by Question? I don't have frame Stiffeners and it was tight already how was it when you installed that extra 1/8" to the uni-frame?
I'm looking at at doing mid and front frame stiffeners within the next few months. Does your Jeep feel any different when you do this? Daily and offroading?
@@OutJeeping Does it help with body roll or general handling even a tad? I understand it is never going to be a great handling vehicle but I read somewhere it helps a little with those two things. I currently have a 4.5 inch lift with 33 inch tires off a new Rubicon Wrangler. I'm doing a fairly extensive build on the jeep. At least for me since I have little to no experience and the jeep was completely stock. Still have another $4,000 at least put into it to make it exactly how I want it!
@@coltonfarrell1676 I wouldn't say there is a big difference in handling but it got rid of some rattles that would happened in the interior. But there is no frame stiffeners for Wrangler since they actually have a full frame compared to the Cherokee in the video that has unibody which is weaker than what a regular would be
@@OutJeeping I think you misunderstood what I meant. The tires and wheels are second hand that were previously on a brand new Rubicon. I had to buy adapters for them to fit on my 96 Cherokee. Frame stiffeners are on my near future to do list after I replace some rusted out floor pans. Still stiffeners, floor pans, tie rods, skid plates, rock sliders, headliner, and paint and body to go.... Wish me luck!
@@coltonfarrell1676 yep I read that wrong, but gotcha. Sounds like it's going to be a big project. Took me a few years to build mine the way it is today, and yet I still have a long list of stuff I want to do to it
I may in the future, some other companys offer plates that weld on to strengthen it. But my front bumper does a good job at keeping the front end straight for now.
My unibody is rust free. I have a 4 inch RE lift and 33s. I don't play in the rocks or do any extreme wheeling. Do snow wheeling and lite trail driving Cruz I have a broken back and can't take the bouncing. Now with that being said. Is this something that I need to do to my jeep?
Not necessarily especially for the type of wheeling you do. I like them because it's another way to beef up the jeep and gives more piece of mind. But for heavy rock crawling i would highly recommend it but again theirs people who don't run them and are fine.
The only thing I might suggest is a new steering gear box spacer. Spreads the load out over more of the frame compared to the stock one. Bigger tires put more stress on the frame even just with on road driving. :)
@@OutJeeping if you were doing 3/16" stiffeners would you still use the Lincoln 125 hd fluxcore? I think the iro front stiffeners are only 10guage (.140) while 3/16 is .188
@@Humorem15 Yeah the front's were 1/8" and handled great with the 110v. I had the mid section which was 3/16 done by a buddy and his 220v. I wouldn't hesitate to use the 125 hd on 3/16" stiffeners, especially on this project. It doesnt need alot of heat considering the unibody is significantly thinner than the stiffeners. I have even used the same welder on a over the track bar axle bracket which was 1/4". I did a couple passes on both sides of that though.
The brackets coming off the bumper are welded in that spot and not bolted to the bumper. So making any adjustments couldn't be done easily to move the brackets out further.
You explain this so well, you deserve more likes
That looks like a really nice kit. Awesome job!
Great Video! I just ran into the same problem with the track bar bracket on our XJ. I'm impressed with the effort that you put in to make it right. I took the lazy route and opened up the hole enough to make it fit, then tack welded the bracket to the new frame stiffeners in case my bigger hole introduced any slop. Nice work.
I welded my bracket to the frame because my bolts came loose and one sheared off. Now when I do frame stiffeners, I will have to cut the bracket off first, but I definitely plan on welding in back on afterward.
Great video tutorial! I have to do that on my Jeep, and btw I have the same rusty spot in my right inner well lol. 👍🏻
Well done video. Have to wait till spring to try and do this because I’m post back surgery and no garage. These videos are all very informative.
Well done and explained....now only if I was 40 years younger I could squeeze in the wheel well and get out without getting stuck in the fetal position...lol
That's why I love old FSJs! haha! Plenty of room to work!
Awesome content as always man!
Awesome video, Aloha from Hawaii!
What Island are you from? I was on Maui last year
@@OutJeeping Makaha Oahu
Awesome video man! Very helpful, love the channel. Put 35s and lockers f/r, that thing would climb a tree
Detroit rear, 4.56 gears and 35's is whats planned for the future
Heck yeah, it’ll pull 35s without gears pretty easy but they would sure help. And weld the rear up it’s free and you’ll be barely notice the difference I promise you
@@turnerappleton5026 Right.....
@@OutJeeping I love my detroit in the rear. Pretty Easy install but I kept my gears so I wouldn't have to set up new ones. lol The front gears took me forever to get right.
Nice job Austin.So the center section is 3/16 and the front and rear sections are 1/8?That would make sense cause the center section would probably take more abuse scraping on rocks...
yea basically, iro website says center is 3/16" but the front and rear are 10 gauge (10 gauge = 9/64" and 11 gauge = 1/8")
Great vid man my only question is I'm a true green horn to welding so my question is I have a hf 125 Flux core would u happen to no what settings I should have it on to attempt this upgrade? Tia
Looks pretty good!
looks good nice clean install
Great video! What kind of fender flares are those?
Napier Precision flat flares.
Wery god 👍 I have a ford ranger wildtrak and my friend has 1999 jeep cherokee and my dad has a 2010 citroen c4 and a nissan np300 navara 😎
Can you share your welding setup you used including your heat setting and wire feed to weld these?
It all depends on the welder you are using, wire thickness, gas or flux-core. I had my welder set to 1/8" off of the machine chart running 0.035" flux-core wire.
What welder did you use? And did you use gas? Also after roughly 3 years have the welds broke or any other issues with them? I’m wanting to weld my own but I need some practice first.
What brand rain guards are you running on your doors? I haven't been able to find those ones.
Rugged Ridge, they should be available on Quadratec and Amazon.
@@OutJeeping Thank you
Do you have a full build sheet on this jeep? It is really close to what I want my xj to be eventually. What front axle are you running, gearing, locker etc, and how does it perform on road and off road?
I do have a build sheet. It's a few pages long so I would have to email it.
@@OutJeeping Ok! rwduece33@gmail.com if you wouldn't mind.
Great video
Hey thanks for the informative video. Is it ok to just weld it to the frame stiffener and not worry about the bottom bolts?
If you are referring to the track bar bracket then that is up to you. I prefer the bracket to be removable but you can weld it to the frame. Just make sure to weld the bottom side as well.
@@OutJeeping ok great thanks
How tight was it to put that track bar bracket brace in by Question? I don't have frame Stiffeners and it was tight already how was it when you installed that extra 1/8" to the uni-frame?
I had to do a little fabricating and weld on an extension piece to the passenger side frame rail for the brace to bolt onto.
Where did you order that from window visor?
I got it off another Cherokee used
I'm looking at at doing mid and front frame stiffeners within the next few months. Does your Jeep feel any different when you do this? Daily and offroading?
Not a big difference but if any it just feels a bit more solid and gives a more piece of mind
@@OutJeeping Does it help with body roll or general handling even a tad? I understand it is never going to be a great handling vehicle but I read somewhere it helps a little with those two things. I currently have a 4.5 inch lift with 33 inch tires off a new Rubicon Wrangler. I'm doing a fairly extensive build on the jeep. At least for me since I have little to no experience and the jeep was completely stock. Still have another $4,000 at least put into it to make it exactly how I want it!
@@coltonfarrell1676 I wouldn't say there is a big difference in handling but it got rid of some rattles that would happened in the interior. But there is no frame stiffeners for Wrangler since they actually have a full frame compared to the Cherokee in the video that has unibody which is weaker than what a regular would be
@@OutJeeping I think you misunderstood what I meant. The tires and wheels are second hand that were previously on a brand new Rubicon. I had to buy adapters for them to fit on my 96 Cherokee. Frame stiffeners are on my near future to do list after I replace some rusted out floor pans. Still stiffeners, floor pans, tie rods, skid plates, rock sliders, headliner, and paint and body to go.... Wish me luck!
@@coltonfarrell1676 yep I read that wrong, but gotcha. Sounds like it's going to be a big project. Took me a few years to build mine the way it is today, and yet I still have a long list of stuff I want to do to it
Will you fit a front cross member section joining both frame rails?
I may in the future, some other companys offer plates that weld on to strengthen it. But my front bumper does a good job at keeping the front end straight for now.
My unibody is rust free. I have a 4 inch RE lift and 33s. I don't play in the rocks or do any extreme wheeling. Do snow wheeling and lite trail driving Cruz I have a broken back and can't take the bouncing. Now with that being said. Is this something that I need to do to my jeep?
Not necessarily especially for the type of wheeling you do. I like them because it's another way to beef up the jeep and gives more piece of mind. But for heavy rock crawling i would highly recommend it but again theirs people who don't run them and are fine.
Keep the original body flex - with more stiffness you & your back will feel shocks/bumps more - Jeep XJ is hardly a smooth ride as it is!
@@andrewcheatle4691 You would fit right into Club XJ on Facebook
The only thing I might suggest is a new steering gear box spacer. Spreads the load out over more of the frame compared to the stock one. Bigger tires put more stress on the frame even just with on road driving. :)
Nice what ton jack do you have need to get new one cause mine to small for my jeep
Not sure it doesn't say but it's an old Jack and it works great
Hey great video! Where did u get the “Cherokee” decals on the front end of ur rig?
Got them off Ebay, they are Cherokee stencil stickers in matte black.
Where did you buy those side fenders with the cherokee imprinted on them
They're actually decals, I got them off of Ebay, there's a bunch of sellers for them.
I’m planning on painting my Jeep soon and really like your color. Do you know the paint code?
Ps5 silver metallic
Are those bushwacker flares or someone else's?
Napier Precision Flat Flares
what are gears are you running on your diffs. cool video
Currently factory 3.55 but I plan for 4.56 soon
@@OutJeeping im running 33 tires and some of my jeepers buds tell to go with 410 to get some of my powers back what u think
@@gilmolina5451 To me it's not worth putting 4.10 in for 33s, I would do deeper gears like 4.56 or more because you may get bigger tires in the future
Nice job! That unibody sheet metal is delicate stuff... Did you blow any holes through it while welding?
I did on the back part of the frame but I just took my time and plugged them up the best I could
What wire size and settings did you use? Looking for a starting point for when I do mine. I’ve got a Lincoln 140. Any advice would be great thank you.
@@Raiderz4life20 also looking for this answer
Hey great video! I’m about to purchase a set for myself, and a welder too. Did you use flux core when welding these on to your Jeep?
I did and it worked out alright, if i were doing anything thicker I would use a different welder and gas.
@@OutJeeping if you were doing 3/16" stiffeners would you still use the Lincoln 125 hd fluxcore? I think the iro front stiffeners are only 10guage (.140) while 3/16 is .188
@@Humorem15 Yeah the front's were 1/8" and handled great with the 110v. I had the mid section which was 3/16 done by a buddy and his 220v. I wouldn't hesitate to use the 125 hd on 3/16" stiffeners, especially on this project. It doesnt need alot of heat considering the unibody is significantly thinner than the stiffeners. I have even used the same welder on a over the track bar axle bracket which was 1/4". I did a couple passes on both sides of that though.
What long arm set up are you running?
Big 6 motorsports but they discounted it buts the same as Trail forged, the company split into two
What welder are you using?
Lincoln 125 hd fluxcore
Nice work, but why wouldn’t you just dog-leg the bumper brackets and slot the holes? Short work for best outcome
The brackets coming off the bumper are welded in that spot and not bolted to the bumper. So making any adjustments couldn't be done easily to move the brackets out further.
What rims are those?
Pro comp D windows 15x8"
About how long did it take you or did you spend on this project? I’m certain when I plan to do this, I’ll take a week off from work to get it done.
About 2-3 days or so, I was mostly waiting for the por-15 paint to dry between coats.
Where did you get the windshield visor I’m in the market for one
I just found it used off Craigslist.