The infamous steering box crack

[RustyRodder]

Well, I found my truck has the steering box crack while replacing the radiator- the top mounting bolt, about 2" long so far.  I am looking at the frame plates, and have a couple questions for anyone thats done them- First, do I have to cut the front off them to use with the stock bumper?  it says experience may vary, but I figure somebody out there has done it already with factory bumper/mounting brackets.  Second, Do I need to worry unbolting the radiator support brackets with everything still attached? 

[Smokeyyank]

No don't cut the stiffener to make your stock bumper work. Completely defeats the purpose of the stiffener. You're going to have to fab a little to retain the stock bumper and the additional width of the stiffener. The stiffener is going on the outside of the unibody so you should not have to mess with the radiator support. 

 

you can also just add this

https://www.c-rok4x4.com/c-rok-online-store/C-ROK-Cherokee-XJ-Durango-Reinforcing-Frame-Kit-p38115458

[RustyRodder]

4 hours ago, Smokeyyank said:

No don't cut the stiffener to make your stock bumper work. Completely defeats the purpose of the stiffener. You're going to have to fab a little to retain the stock bumper and the additional width of the stiffener. The stiffener is going on the outside of the unibody so you should not have to mess with the radiator support. 

 

you can also just add this

https://www.c-rok4x4.com/c-rok-online-store/C-ROK-Cherokee-XJ-Durango-Reinforcing-Frame-Kit-p38115458

Is the CRok better than the Rustys one I was going to pick up? I only bring up cutting because they use that as an option in the instructions.

[Smokeyyank]

Personally, I wouldn't go with cRusty's. 

 

I know a few of the NAXJA peps have used the CRok kit with success. They used to have a monster reinforcement kit that was amazing but pretty sure they stopped making it. 

[RustyRodder]

I take it you just stitch weld around the plate on the Crok? Or is it straight bolt on (which I can't imagine makes a difference?)  Luckily This truck is never getting anything bigger than 31's so there isnt a ton of stress. 

[saveevryjp1998]

So I hate to recommend them from the horrible mj stiffeners and behind the front bumper stiffener I got, but this is the 1 product that actually looked like it was worthwhile and accurately built. Brandon Scarsborough has it still. He is designing new mj frame stiffeners and perhaps more, I don't know ask him. I have not tried it yet though but anxiously waiting to install it asap with my stiffeners hopefully by winter on an mj once I'm caught up more.