Front body mount CHOP! - Page 4

PhilC64 · 07-23-2007, 06:50 PM

The reason is more for vehicle and driver safety. As it was explained to me, they are designed to stick out so that in a front end collision the tires would go under the vehicle, not into the drivers compartment. Trimming them does not compromise the structural integrity of the mount.

AmityFJ · 07-31-2007, 10:13 AM

I recently went to a shop that has done the body mount chop many times to Tacomas and now FJs. In fact there was a sweet Titanium FJ there with a 6" lift with the chop done.

There was a difference in his version where he DID NOT close up the area where he did the chop. Instead it was rounded a little and then primed and painted (protecting against rusting only) and left open keeping the rubber mounts exposed. In his experiences, he said he has never heard of any problems caused by leaving it open and exposed.

I asked him why he didn't close it up (like I've seen done here on the forum) and he said the welding would melt the rubber mounts and may cause more damage than the good by closing up the space by welding plates to protect.

Is it okay to leave the chop exposed like they do it? I see his point about compromising the rubber mount but I also think it would be prudent to enclose to protect against rock damage and exposure to mud and crap on the trail. There are pros and cons to both. He mentioned if I really wanted to, he would do it but at the increased cost of totally removing the rubber mount (to protect it), but it would take a couple more hours (increasing the labor cost).

Is it worth it to go this extra step? Should I just leave it exposed? Or should I just instruct him to weld while not removing the rubber and risk the chance of it melting? Or should I not get it done at all? What do you guys think.

(I have Donahoe stage 1, will be installing Donahoe UCAs and putting on Toyo Open Country MT 295/70/17 on my stock alloys which some on the forum say don't rub with a lift - but still think the chop might be in order just to make sure)

AmityFJ

AF Chief · 07-31-2007, 10:44 AM

No idea, but the ones I've seen done around here are left open also.

PhilC64 · 07-31-2007, 05:07 PM

Seems to me that if left open they would be prone to catching mud and other debris.

**1911** · 07-31-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

AmityFJ previously said:

...he said the welding would melt the rubber mounts and may cause more damage than the good by closing up the space by welding plates to protect.

To do the job right, you need to unbolt the body mounts, jack up the body a little bit and get the rubber mounts away from the frame before you weld the new box ends on. No damage to the rubber mount that way. Maybe it doesn't make any difference, but I would rather have the additional strength by having the frame boxed in just to make sure.

**FJoel** · 08-01-2007, 11:34 AM

for another good body mount chop thread. I am putting my FJ under the knife tonight, so the bump will help me find this again.

GrimsGarage · 08-01-2007, 11:56 AM

I have completed more than a dozen and have not melted a bushing yet. Remove the lower portion, protect the upper from the flash and box it. It takes me about 45 minutes to cut and box both mounts. Box-em, metal is being removed and the mount can slowly twist due to impacts placed on the mount if it is not boxed. There is a reason all body mounts are boxed, the manufacturers would not waist the money otherwise.

AmityFJ · 08-01-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

FLWakeBd previously said:

I have completed more than a dozen and have not melted a bushing yet. Remove the lower portion, protect the upper from the flash and box it. It takes me about 45 minutes to cut and box both mounts. Box-em, metal is being removed and the mount can slowly twist due to impacts placed on the mount if it is not boxed. There is a reason all body mounts are boxed, the manufacturers would not waist the money otherwise.

Thanks everybody for the advise and suggestions. Closing it up is the best way to go. The extra step is worth it!

Amity

**FJoel** · 08-01-2007, 09:45 PM

My drivers side is mostly done... I ran out of wire! Just got to finish a partial bead, clean up and paint.

I am proud to say I didn't even have to bring in the big guns (my girlfriend). Stick, mig, tig, whatever, she can likely out weld most of the men on here. Luckily I didn't have to give her the chance to outweld me. I was embarrassed for weeks when I had to ask her to finish welding up and exhaust for my pickup that I kept burning through...

bandi · 08-02-2007, 06:31 AM

Quote:

FJoel previously said:

....Stick, mig, tig, whatever, she can likely out weld most of the men on here. (

I WANT HER !!!...

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