I have to replace mine due to a pull with my bumper hitch and a strap
that turned out to be a tow strap, not a snatch strap so it came up
hard. Yanked the freaking cross member loose and it was only a YJ stuck
in a snow bank! Got bailing wire holding it on right now......

I am going structurally strong with the cross member then I can add my
spare tire carrier to it.

Mike

Dave Milne wrote:
>
> It's a good idea. The LandRover rear cross member is a massive channel
> section effort, which the rear PTO came through. It was a lot more
> substantial than most bumpers !
>
> --
> Dave Milne, Scotland
> '91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ
> "Jeff Hendron" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I agree with the flimsy material they used across the frame rails in the
> back.
> > I had 1/4" steel cut the same size and shape as what is already back there
> > welded to the existing one and then have heavy angle bracing on both sides
> > where the frame rails meet the plate in the back. They use the two holes
> in
> > the frame near the back and two holes that go through the "cross member"
> and
> > bumper.
> >
> >
> > Jeff Hendron 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
> > MatrixOne Support Skyjacker 4" lift, JKS Disconnects
> > Agilent Technologies Fabtech Front Bumper, Rock Krusher Rear Bumper
> > Co Springs, Colorado Rock Krusher Rock Rails, Custom Swingout Tire
> Carrier
> > (719) 531-4319 33x12.50 Goodyear MTR's, Mickey Thompson
> Classic Lock Wheels
> > Bush Whacker Fender Flares, Warn XD9000i Winch
> >
> > Yamaha WR250ZF
> >
> > Dave Milne > wrote:
> > : True - the factory tow bar has substantial 1/4" angle bracing and bolts
> onto
> > : the frame in 6 places (two each side of the frame rails, and a bolt
> > : underneath each side). I wouldn't even give that pathetic piece of sheet
> > : metal the dignity of the name "cross member".
> >
> > : Dave Milne, Scotland
> > : '91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ
> >
> > : "Mike Romain" > wrote in message
> > : ...
> > :> Have you ever looked at how solid the bumper is bolted on or at what
> the
> > :> bumper is bolted on to??? Only a few bolts into a cross member that
> > :> really isn't very structural for a pull.
> > :>
> > :> For towing, you need the hitch bolted onto the frame or major angle
> > :> bracing to hold the cross member and bumper to the frame tails if you
> > :> want to have the bumper structurally sound for pulling.
> > :>
> > :> They correctly figure you are going to tear it off (stock bumpers with
> > :> bumper hitches get ripped off all the time in an extraction, it seldom
> > :> works out of mud) so figure it is safer to have a mud pit missile than
> a
> > :> trailer on the highway going it's own way.
> > :>
> > :> My $0.02,
> > :>
> > :> Mike
> > :> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > :> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's