DirtyComanche Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 So, who's running what? Anybody build their own? Pics? Since I'm a cheap bastard; I think I will take 2 peices of .250 plate and drill half a dozen rosettes in each, plus the three holes for the steering box. Then hole saw out the original mounting holes in the unibody (not looking foreward to that) and put some pipe in as a sleeve. Assumably the sleeves should be welded to the unibody, then the plate welded to the unibody. But the sleeves should not be welded to the plate? (I can't think of how I would do that, either way) Should this work well enough? Or do you think I could fit some channel or box (with the top cut off) over the unibody, instead of plate? Mm, maybe I should go look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rejeep Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 I would keep a brace bolt in incase you ever have to remove... they are cheap to.. like $40-50? Buy one, copy it, return it ?!?!? or borrow a friends :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 Where I live, there is no "buying one". Well, I could, but shipping will generally cost as much as the part. And when it is something simple, I can make it myself. If I was to copy the C-Rok brace, it would cost me about $8 Cnd. all said and done. It retails for $60~ US. (The c-rok brace is jsut a peice of plate that bolts to the outside of the unibody, basically. I also think it is too weak. I think they also sell a weld in one, for god knows how much) Oh, I like welding things in. If I ever have to remove it, I have an angle grinder. Edit: It's JKS that makes the weld in brace. $149.00 US for both sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kernel Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 i have a m.o.r.e. brace on my xj.... probably has kept my frame from cracking. i do have the jks kit... just haven't installed it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 The MORE one is a peice of tube with a clamp on the end? What size tires were you running? I've got 35's, and I'm a little worried after I watched the unibody 'bend' when I had LT235/75/R15s on it and got kinda bound up between a stump and a rock... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kernel Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 The MORE one is a peice of tube with a clamp on the end? What size tires were you running? I've got 35's, and I'm a little worried after I watched the unibody 'bend' when I had LT235/75/R15s on it and got kinda bound up between a stump and a rock... 35's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 I am running the Rigidco FBW and it has a steering box brace built into the mounting system. Really top notch craftsmenship as well. Here comes your problem in your theory of making it for 8 bucks. Your time and materials :shock: Anyways, :wink: I think the steering box brace is over rated. I know quite a few ppl running 35's and one running 37's with zero issues and no box brace. Would i do it :? depends on how tight I am. Personllay I think the key is to keep the bolts tight, and keep the bottom of the steering box (where the pitman arm mounts) rigid. Maybe something like a cj7 steering box brace that has been modded would work. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kernel Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 I am running the Rigidco FBW and it has a steering box brace built into the mounting system. Really top notch craftsmenship as well. Here comes your problem in your theory of making it for 8 bucks. Your time and materials :shock: Anyways, :wink: I think the steering box brace is over rated. I know quite a few ppl running 35's and one running 37's with zero issues and no box brace. Would i do it :? depends on how tight I am. Personllay I think the key is to keep the bolts tight, and keep the bottom of the steering box (where the pitman arm mounts) rigid. Maybe something like a cj7 steering box brace that has been modded would work. Patrick anything is better than nothing.... 8 bucks or not. and the more 1 is just a tube that bolts through the pass side frame holes and clampe to the lower part of the box.... just like any other steering box brace/support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 Here comes your problem in your theory of making it for 8 bucks. Your time and materials :shock: Nah, I can do it for $8. I've got enough plate lying around, I think. Even if I have to get more, it won't be much (scrap, free or close to). The pipe I have. I've got about 40Lbs of rod lying around, and even then I'm not going to use very much for such a thing. I've got the drill bits, taps, dies, etc coming out of my @$$. Only thing I'd actually likely need to buy is bolts, which guessing on their length and grade will run me about $6. Okay, so maybe I won't make it in under $8, but I will make it in under the $60. And my time is worth nothing. I'm unemployed again. So it's work on the truck or go get drunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted April 21, 2006 Author Share Posted April 21, 2006 and the more 1 is just a tube that bolts through the pass side frame holes and clampe to the lower part of the box.... just like any other steering box brace/support. I'd not make that style. Maybe I'll lose some strength to the fact that I am only reinforcing the drivers side with my system. I'm not worried though, once I get around to making a bumper and a few other things the front should all be stiffened up enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kernel Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 i remembered why i haven't done the jks kit yet..... i'd have to redo my frt bumper mounts. :roll: i 'm too fricken lazy. :D edit: drunk sounds good though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 I just think ppl put to much emphasise on things that might break. I wheeled for a yr, with no form of brace on 33's, zero issues. See for me it is easy enough to get overtime, so sometimes it is better to get something fabbed or buy it off the shelf then to try and make it myself. Limited amount of time off is reserved for importyant things, like loading up my rig, and wheeling, or getting ready to wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted April 22, 2006 Author Share Posted April 22, 2006 I like making things, it's why I got into this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 I like making things, it's why I got into this. Thats cool. I would look at the way Rigidco ties in both frame horns, and the steering box support then. Might as well make it functional :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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