Cross Member replace

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

Alright so heres the short story as to why I need the front cross member replaced on the KK. A buddy of mine got stuck so I tried to help him out. Got stuck my self pretty good. I didn't think about having a forward recovery point until it was too late. Another buddy of ours offered to pull me out from the front so I simply put the hook of the tow strap into a hole in the cross member. When he tried jerking me out, the hook tore through the holes like paper. After some slow persistent pulling, I got out, after destroying the passenger side tow hook holes and damaging the driver side pretty bad. I have determined the best thing to do is to replace the entire forward cross member. That being said, what am I getting myself into. Taking off the bumper will be no big deal, but what will I need to do as far as removing the old cross member to put in the new one. Digger, Dirty, and anyone else, I could really use some help with this one.

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 3:24 pm

You could weld new steel in place or over the damaged area. Unless you are a body mechanic there isnt much you can do about it. I would just take it to a shop and get a quote. Post some pics!

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 3:33 pm

DirtyKK wrote:

You could weld new steel in place or over the damaged area. Unless you are a body mechanic there isnt much you can do about it. I would just take it to a shop and get a quote. Post some pics!

Body shop wise, you are looking at 100ish for the front member (55360190AN) but the killer is in the labor. IIRC, there are 30 or so spot welds that need to be drilled out and then there are 2 major welds that need to be cut as well. When mine was replaced, the body shop charged insurance 5 hours for R&I on the member......

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

Here's all the pics I took. What will be the best way to fix all these?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 4:28 pm

Well, if it were me, I'd install a Detours backbone like Dirty did. It will re supply you recovery points that are way stronger then the factory hooks. Other wise, you could always wait for an aftermarket bumper.

With looking at 600+ in part and labor, a back bone for 350ish is looking mighty nice. Plus you can add a winch and more lights right away!

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 4:31 pm

Ya i wouldnt worry about that stuff really. You do however need some kind of tow points to prevent further damage.

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

alright so say I wanted to install the backbone system. Would I be able to do so with my cross member destroyed? and how will it look with no winch sitting on it?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 4:35 pm

Install wise, shouldn't be a problem........ http://www.detoursusa.com/kjbackbone_install.php

you might think about welding the ripped piece, but if you didn't no big deal...

look wise, Dirty~~~

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 4:40 pm

Heres my install... viewtopic.php?f=104&t=52771
It looks like everything would still be able to bolt into place with the damage shown.
I didnt manage to take any pics of it with the winch not installed. IDK what you want for looks in having the winch plate there without a winch on it. Itll look out of place without a winch on it for sure. As long as the rest of the install and cutting the bumper is clean it should look like youre just waiting on a good deal for a winch. :wink:

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

sounds like the Jeep will be undergoing some surgery and soon. Dirty, how much did you pay for your winch and everything with it?

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 5:18 pm

$375 for the Backbone shipped.
$500 for the winch w/synthetic rope. You could get the XRC8 w/cable for $300 though.
$25 for a couple of tow shackles.

:shock:

I hate how much money I've spent when I start adding it all up :lol:

I definitly recall telling someone I didn't plan on buying a front bumper for a long while. Til at least I had gears lockers and bigger tires anyway. I decided to wear out the tires I just bought in October first.

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

one last question: what should be the winches rated pulling weight for my KK?

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 5:58 pm

I think its recommended to have a winch at least 1.5x the weight of the vehicle. 8k or more should do it

Cross Member replace

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