So why cut the frame and not a frame swap?
Frame swap would involve hundreds of hours of labor. Which...I can handle. What I CAN'T handle is buying another TJ frame only to find the same issue. And a new frame is over $4k
So what are my options?
Well,
Rust buster make all kinds of solutions for TJ's
These bad boys come with integrated upper and lower mounts that far exceed the factory
And they come with the drain holes drilled in the proper place
BTW....this is where you go and take a flathead to the bottom of your frame!!!
If you got no penetration, then jack it up, remove the lower control arms at the frame and drill a finger size hole directly above the socket of the lower control arm
Time to get these monsters mocked up
Starting the agonizingly long task of welding
Improved areola's...err I mean skid mounts
All painted
Now..time to add the barns gas tank skid
All mocked up for clearances
Dang...she tight
This was AFTER swapping to a poison spyder cover, because the solid was hitting at full press. Decided to tighten down the control arms and give myself more room
While under there we discovered the stock exhaust was seconds from becoming powder as well. More decisions were made...but the flowmaster wouldn't fit beside the fat ass atlas, and we're not tubing benders....so a glasspack was sourced (sounds like ass.....well...not really, just sounds like a 60's british roadster ...which is pretty badass, but not on the trail droning for hours)
But..it clears everything
All painted and on the ground