Rear crossmember cutting

[JMT]

@jjvw, @mrblaine, @Apparition , @toximus. On my 2005 TJ, how much of that center lip in the rear crossmember above my gas tank can I cut off so I can move my axle back and my track bar not interfere. I’m looking at this. Nowhere near bump at this point but when I get there I’m all over that bolt and the crossmember. I shaved some of it but nothing. I need it off. This is after me Savvy MUA and rotating pinion. Angled trackbar installed already

I want to cut this off

 

[jjvw]

What track bar?

 

[JMT]

What track bar?

JKS

 

[JMT]

My other thought is to take the axle end of the trackbar and turn it upside down so that the bend goes down. I’m having the exhaust modified anyway. Can I do that!? Or will the trackbar interfere with the top of the diff then?

 

[jjvw]

I know many will cut the crossmember. I've never had to deal with that on mine because I don't have a rear track bar. Supposedly Currie is bent to not cause a problem there. And if it does, bend it with a press until it doesn't.

If it were me, I would bend the bar if possible.

 

[toximus]

How much are you hoping to move your axle back by shaving that off?

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

No harm in flipping it to see what hits and what doesn’t. Since your modifying the exaughst just take it off to see, I agree with @jjvw - press bends are your friend. I’ve tweaked my front. Easiest option is pull the diff forward to clear it.

 

[toximus]

If it were me, I would bend the bar if possible.

I'd start here.

My other thought is to take the axle end of the trackbar and turn it upside down so that the bend goes down. I’m having the exhaust modified anyway. Can I do that!? Or will the trackbar interfere with the top of the diff then?

Try it and find out.

 

[toximus]

To go back and answer your first question, I would not cut that section off without adding back in reinforcement. If you land on the gas tank after a few times it'll start to bend that crossmember.

 

[starkey480]

@Chris ring any bells?

 

[mrblaine]

I know many will cut the crossmember. I've never had to deal with that on mine because I don't have a rear track bar. Supposedly Currie is bent to not cause a problem there. And if it does, bend it with a press until it doesn't.

If it were me, I would bend the bar if possible.

The Currie is indeed bent to clear. That happened after JKS stopped making track bars for them and they needed one that cleared better along with the angled mount. I would start there.

 

[Apparition]

@jjvw, @mrblaine, @Apparition , @toximus. On my 2005 TJ, how much of that center lip in the rear crossmember above my gas tank can I cut off so I can move my axle back and my track bar not interfere. I’m looking at this. Nowhere near bump at this point but when I get there I’m all over that bolt and the crossmember. I shaved some of it but nothing. I need it off. This is after me Savvy MUA and rotating pinion. Angled trackbar installed already

View attachment 158965
I want to cut this off
View attachment 158966

I’ll defer to Blaines experience on this

 

[mrblaine]

How much are you hoping to move your axle back by shaving that off?

33/64ths"

 

[mrblaine]

My other thought is to take the axle end of the trackbar and turn it upside down so that the bend goes down. I’m having the exhaust modified anyway. Can I do that!? Or will the trackbar interfere with the top of the diff then?

Is the axle side joint barrel square to the bar or angled?

 

[JMT]

Is the axle side joint barrel square to the bar or angled?

The bar starts to bend toward the gas tank skid 3” from the axle joint.

 

[toximus]

33/64ths"

He's going to be a trail hero.

 

[JMT]

The JKS bar needs a bend forward about 14” from the axle joint

 

[starkey480]

He's going to be a trail hero.

I believe his lowers are as short as they can go. He’s not trying to push his axle back he’s trying to rotate his pinion for a tummy tuck

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

The JKS bar needs a bend forward about 14” from the axle joint

Press time!

 

[JMT]

This JKS is BS. I have to shorten my lowers all the way on the drivers side to clear. WTH?!

passenger side clears fine at full bump