06 H3
a.k.a. "The Jackal"
- Messages
- 9,502
- Location
- Meridian, ID
I started the rancho lift kit UCP! I needed to get this done before moab, it isnt finished but I got a decent start on it.
First problem is that I bent my crossmember back. I did this before I had OEM UCP on so it was pretty bad. Luckily I had no driveline issues when I did that. I barely got my bracket on the crossmember, I literally had to hammer the bolt in when I first installed it. I bent that crossmember back a good 3/4-1 inch.
I also had the bolt in upside down because that was the only way I could get it on due to the crossmember being pushed back.
My solution was to cut off the ends and lengthen it a tad.
Tacked em, fitted them, took em off and welded them in, I still wanna grind down the welds more.
The next problem is that there is no protection for the transmission, The stock UCP helped but as we all know it was taken away you lift it.
I am adding crossbars so I am "fishmouthing" the tube. It is 1 1/2 .120 wall. I tried to use some 1 3/4 I had laying around to sleeve it but it didnt work so I have a few other ideas to strengthen it.
Fishmouthing is such a bitch using an angle grinder...I have fishmouthed with a drill press and a hole saw and had great professional looking results. I can still fishmouth the pipe its just going to take a lot longer. Once I am done with adding two or three pipes across I will weld em in and I will have a strengthened rancho UCP. I am also thinking about welding in the mounts on the crossmember along with them being bolted in to strengthen them even more.
Crappy phone pic after the first round of grinding...I will be fishmouthing some more to get a cleaner look.
First problem is that I bent my crossmember back. I did this before I had OEM UCP on so it was pretty bad. Luckily I had no driveline issues when I did that. I barely got my bracket on the crossmember, I literally had to hammer the bolt in when I first installed it. I bent that crossmember back a good 3/4-1 inch.
I also had the bolt in upside down because that was the only way I could get it on due to the crossmember being pushed back.
My solution was to cut off the ends and lengthen it a tad.
Tacked em, fitted them, took em off and welded them in, I still wanna grind down the welds more.
The next problem is that there is no protection for the transmission, The stock UCP helped but as we all know it was taken away you lift it.
I am adding crossbars so I am "fishmouthing" the tube. It is 1 1/2 .120 wall. I tried to use some 1 3/4 I had laying around to sleeve it but it didnt work so I have a few other ideas to strengthen it.
Fishmouthing is such a bitch using an angle grinder...I have fishmouthed with a drill press and a hole saw and had great professional looking results. I can still fishmouth the pipe its just going to take a lot longer. Once I am done with adding two or three pipes across I will weld em in and I will have a strengthened rancho UCP. I am also thinking about welding in the mounts on the crossmember along with them being bolted in to strengthen them even more.
Crappy phone pic after the first round of grinding...I will be fishmouthing some more to get a cleaner look.
the fishmouthing process looks rough now but will looks pretty good when I get some more time to work on it.
