Custom Built Front Frame Stiffiners (Cherokee XJ)

In this video I build from scratch custom made 3/16 front frame stiffiners, and some bumper mount tie ins for a Jeep Cherokee XJ. These stiffiners wrap the entire uni-frame channel and are designed to strengthen the entire chassis of the Jeep.
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[@adrianmosu3642]

Nice job man !!!💪

[@raystevens687]

I think you did a great job. It like you said you could of brought a frame kit but I'm like I want to build what you did and chances are you maybe using better metal.

[@garthwilkerson3054]

Built not bought looks great man!! 👍

[@fishrrelaxing9361]

Proper stiffness are really cheap and a proper one wraps the frame. Simply playing the side will help for vertical loads but not cross loads.. metal is always at its strongest when forming a 90* angle as well. Try and bend a piece of plate steel then try and bend even thin angle iron. I wouldn’t ever spend all this time to only help 1/2 if the equation. It it’s a box or c notched frame then this is fine but for a unibody you really really need to wrap from the side to the bottom.

[@TheSartorious]

Great work, nothing feels better then pride for the work and time put into the jeep. I love DIY for my jeep rather then buying a kit.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Hell ya man. 🤘

[@zoexj4872]

Very well done. My dad was a welder for 40+ years and when he passed away in 2011, I inherited all his tools and gear. Now I'm trying to learn how to use all that stuff. Arc welder, acetylene torch, assorted torch tips, angle grinders, die grinders, cutoff wheels, PPE, etc. Can you give a few tips when you make future videos for those of us just learning? BTW...First!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Wow man that's really cool you got to inherit all those tools from your dad. I absolutely will try to incorporate some more tips, although I would say I'm still a beginner as well lol. Just takes a ton of practice, and skill comes with experience. Thanks for watching.

[@zoexj4872]

@@jbhk7977 Sorry to hear about that. I know what you mean. I didn't even want to clean the garage because I felt like I'm sweeping away part of dad. Hopefully I'll be half as competent as he was someday. Pass on your legacy, bro. You guys take care and share your knowledge.

[@MrMrsregor]

check out the youtube channel "welding tips and tricks". very well done, short, sweet, and too the point videos. he has a play list for every type of welding

[@zoexj4872]

@@MrMrsregor Thank you, I will.

[@thecherokeechannel688]

It all comes down to taking pride into what you can build with your own hands. Theres nothing wrong with buying a set either but if you ever built something on your own you will understand.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Well said

[@thomascollins9214]

That turned out great

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks buddy

[@rafenatho5406]

👍👌

[@stevelucci7828]

Great video. I did my front last winter. In the middle of doing the rear as we speak.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

You building your own? I would like to see that

[@stevelucci7828]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 yes I am. Made templates out of construction paper and cut them out with plasma cutter .

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

That's cool man. I need to do the same

[@stevelucci7828]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 yeah you just have to watch the existing frame rails have bends to them that you need to follow I am capping Steel on both sides and the bottom

[@mac4life55]

Your videos are cool man, keep up the good work.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks man

[@channghiem5012]

thanks for the share

[@hillbillyxjstyle161]

outstanding job nice work and thank you for sharing

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Right on man thanks for watching.

[@catiachick]

Doing the same thing this winter after I finish my taillight boxes

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Right on!

[@paulezk]

Nice work!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks 🤘

[@chuyvapes5551]

I’m sure the engineers just said just put it there we don’t know what it is for either🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job Robbie Rob.....

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Haha thanks man.

[@jessename7849]

You should have welded close the notches you made to bend the stiffeners. I sure hope you did a thorough job sealing up the gap between the metal layers.🍻🍀

[@my_name_is_chef4856]

Dude. Awesome. I'm loving your videos. It's giving me a lot of inspiration. Are we allowed to challenge you to things? If so, you should try to make some abs tail light boxes to house some LEDs

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

That would be a fun project.

[@ChasWG]

Nice job on doing these yourself. Personally, because I don't have a plasma cutter or access to one I will just buy a set and weld them on myself. But I have one question, why didn't you weld the vertical cuts you put in the metal to make the bends? You weakened it to allow for the bend, you should have welded those back up as well. Other then that, a great job.

[@robertd6925]

Did you preheat with a torch?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Pre-heat prior to welding? Because no.

[@shanepowell5115]

The ? of is it worth it? IT'S CALLED SELF PRIDE!! I ADMIRE YOU FOR NOT JUST WOOPING OUT THE OLD CARD. IF YOU HAVE THETOOLS AND WILL TO DO SOMETHING BY ALL MEANS DO IT. EVERYTHING MEANS SO MUCH MORE WHEN YOUR OWN TIME HEART AND PRIDE GO INTO SOMETHING. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND VIDEOS. I'M GLAD I FOUND THIS CHANNEL!!!! Shane P.

[@angelopezz]

Good luck with the sway bar... how going with that lol

[@OutJeeping]

Great job with these custom stiffeners! Coincidentally i'm currently filming an install video of the IRO front frame stiffiners on my jeep, it should be up in a week or so if your interested. Cool channel you got, I look forward for more videos!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks man. I am a fan of your channel too. Been watching it for a while. I'll look forward to your video

[@dezrataz]

Thanks for sharing. I've been going back and forth between building or buying and I think you've made up my mind. One question though, the bumper tie ins should never move, why didn't you weld them in?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

That's a good question..... I guess it might be nice incase I ever build a new bumper, but other then that I didn't really think about welding them on, but certainly could do it.

[@dezrataz]

When in doubt weld it out. Keep up the great work.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Ha those are some wise words.

[@jeremiahfrogbully5492]

Looks great been thinking of doing this myself but my problem is is my frame rails are soft from rust in the rear and I don’t wanna be blowing holes through while welding so I’m on the hunt for a new xj. Did you make your own radius arm set up? Dig your rig

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks man. The rust is a huge issue. Most can be repaired to an extend but the un would have to patched before you could add stiffeners. And yes I did build the radius setup myself.

[@gilmolina5451]

great video i like build things myself i got more time then money lol quick ? what gears are you running on diffs and what do you recommend for my xj i am running 33 tires thanks

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I think that depends on a few factors but I have 4.56's and they were great when I was on 33's. I wish I had a lower ratio now but 4.56 is great for 33's.

[@maxwell9222]

Are you guys going to the 4x4 swap meet This coming weekend?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Yes I think we will come check it out

[@maxwell9222]

Nice well maybe I'll see you guys down there love your channel cant wait to see it blow up

[@CodyMacRae1]

Great work man! I love your xj. What's the specs on it? Sorry if you mentioned it in a different video I haven't seen yet lol.. My 2000 xj is bone stock but I'm budget buying used lift parts so far I have 4.5" springs (RC leafs and RE Coils) and I've also got 35x13.50x15 Baja Claws

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks man. I need to do a walk around video but it's actually pretty basic. 5 inch lift 36's, custom radius arm, 8.8 rear, 30 front, 4.56 gears, and Detroit in the rear. Sounds like you are on your way to a capable rig.

[@Nothingtoya]

Just so you know, RC has a horrible reputation for their springs sagging unevenly. If you're just going to use it off road, itll probably be fine but on road, they cause it to ride weird.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Once I get everything back together again I will have to do one

[@brianwolford5084]

So, does it drive any different now? Does it feel more solid?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I cant say that I noticed a difference, but I know it is indeed far stronger then stock

[@slyjeeper]

Sweet deal mate

[@coolHandLuke5150]

Pro tip, get a ball peen hammer, go over 100% of the cardboard with medium hammer wacks. This will transfer all factory holes. Also, HF step drill bits are a god sent when marking holes for plug welds.

[@jared2235]

looks killer can you come do mine too lol

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Ha it actually is quite a bit of work. Lots of welding.

[@richterman3962]

Xj has a frame? Mine was a unibody

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I'm pretty sure it's been well established that while these are referred to as "frame" stiffiners, everybody is aware that they are plates to strengthen the un channel. Hence the purpose of the upgrade, because if it indeed had a frame there would be no need to plate it.