Bent Crossmember and Dented Frame: Safe?

Bratch

Bratch

TJ Enthusiast
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Joined
Jan 22, 2018
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All right guys I screwed up today, how bad is it? I’m not actually sure if I did it or if it’s been like this and I have never noticed but lets assume it was me.

I was doing a transmission flush and filter change. Read all the how-tos a few
times, gathered all my supplies and got
started.

I started with removing the transmission skid, when I disconnected it from the transfer case skid , I heard a pop. Didn’t think much of it and took out one frame bolt and started the second but stopped because I was afraid of breaking off the nut(it did anyway). It was loose enough to rotate the crossmember and skid out of the way.

I completed the flush and went to bolt everything back up and noticed it wasn’t lining up. Started looking closer and the crossmember is nice and bent, cut the bolt to get it off and then notice the dented frame.

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Is she still safe to drive on road without the crossmember and skid?

How about with that frame?

What’s my next steps? I found Blaine’s Nutsert that seemed like step 1.
 
Bratch said:
Is she still safe to drive on road without the crossmember and skid?

How about with that frame?

What’s my next steps? I found Blaine’s Nutsert that seemed like step 1.
Click to expand...

Crossmember holds the trans/Xfer case into the Jeep.

Think of the crossmember/skis as the abdominals of your Jeep. Would you feel ok traipsing around town without your ab muscles to keep your guts from spilling out?
 
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Left out details. 2004, 4.0 with 42RLE.

Transfer case skid is there.
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When I put the crossmember back up nothing is touching it for direct support, it did bolt into the transfer skid though.
 
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I hadn't realized that the auto trans TJ's were so fragile that they needed that extra plate and support for the plate. (only ever had manual 'true' Jeeps... the JT is first auto)

Yes, as long as your main crossmember/skid is in place you should be fine.
 
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It’s fine, dent in the frame doesn’t look too bad. That transmission pan skid plate you referred to as a crossmember is not structural. Just added protection for the trans pan.
 
Bratch said:
Found several references to this crossmember being redundant as @Frank M mentioned.

This thread helped:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/extra-crossmember-on-frame.10083/

I’m planning to drive her tomorrow.

Next step and new thread is the skid plate, probably a UCF engine skid but I’ll get the groups input.
Click to expand...

I’m a big fan of my M.O.R.E. engine / tranny skid. Very well built and attaches to the frame up front. Although i have smashed it to bent but that’s what it’s there for. 🇺🇸
 
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