xj front bar

[Steve F]

Originally Posted by anthonygubbin

Does that set up (spotties & winch) restrict your radiator Steve.

Makes no difference at all, I never see over 100c on my XJ since replacing the fan clutch hub. Most of the load is at crawling and that's the less likely time a winch or spotties will impact on the temperature.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve F]

Originally Posted by Burmonster

looks great steve.
by frame do u mean chassis??
did you need a lot of extra braceing for the recovery points??
obvously steel is heavier, but do u think a basic bar with tube wings, brush bars and steps would be greatly heavier than alloy?? what u mean is, will i likley need to upgrade my suspension to take the weight (i am considering a winch and dual batt set up at well, but i think that would need a suspension upgrade)
i would proberly also like to make mine winch compatable and be able to mount some spotties, wat did you need to take into consideration in designing for the winch??
if i was going to maybe chop my guards in future, will i need to take this into consideration so the flares (might be bigger than stock) will clear the brush bars.
thx 4 the help
burmonster

Yep chassis, although there is no real chassis on the XJ being a unibody.

The recovery points go through the 4mm steel top and then through 6mm angle brackets that are welded to the 6mm plates that mount the bar. So yep plenty of reinforcement bolting through 10mm of steel

The winch plate is also 6mm and is welded directly to the mounts, its also braced underneath and the front 4mm plate braces it as well. It doesn't move or twist

Not sure on the rest, really depends but yep, if you're going to chop take that into account and there will be some weight there with a winch as well.

Cheers
Steve

[Burmonster]

mm ok, sounds like u got a fair amount of weight in your bar, strong as hell tho no doubt i was hopeng to try and keep mine light as poss as to not change the height to much. have you weighed your bar and compared to the stock bumper?? i suppose with a winch and dual batts i will likley need new springs anyway...
im havng second thoughts about the tube wings, i want to have hi lift jack lift points, maybe on the corners or on the sides. i relised how few points i actually have:S
thanks
burmonster

[Browneee]

Steve F

I've been toying with this idea also along with a friend of mine.... Some good friends of mine, fabricate & install all sorts of custom stuff for mine companies around WA.

I've seen "go jeeps" custom front & rear bumpers which I like and would love something very similar on my XJ. Receiver hitch up front so I can push my wake boat up driveway (I have a steep & tight driveway).

When talking with my friends about making one, the first thing they mentioned was voiding any warranty/insurance claim because of air bar system if I was in an accident, if it was custom made........

Have you had any experience with this ?

I dont go off road much these days, been there done that , Jeeps almost stock apart from mild lift so it sits level when boats hooked up. But I do like the look of "go jeeps" bars, very clean and bring a modern look to car...

[Burmonster]

im sure steve knows exactly, but the xjs airbags arnt activated by crumple zones or sensors in the front ent, it has a acceleration sensor so if you come to a sudden stop it goes off. that is what i was told when i wanted 2 make a custom bar.

[Steve F]

yep, it has an accelerometer mounted in the centre console or under the passenger seat if the recall hasn't been done to move it. No sensors or crush cans etc up front on an xj. If anything the air bags may go off earler with an aftermarket bar as there is less crumple up front on higher deceleration.

My mounts are the same setup as 99% of after,arket xj bars.

Cheers
Steve

[junglejuice]

Originally Posted by Steve F

yep, it has an accelerometer mounted in the centre console or under the passenger seat if the recall hasn't been done to move it. No sensors or crush cans etc up front on an xj. If anything the air bags may go off earler with an aftermarket bar as there is less crumple up front on higher deceleration.

My mounts are the same setup as 99% of after,arket xj bars.

Cheers
Steve

That is not correct for all Xj's, the pre-update Xj's use a mechanical airbag and therfore no accelerometer or a control module....

Cheers, JJ