Anyone that has purchased S/E's Rear Cross member and Frame stiffener regret doing it or trying to their self. I'LL be using jack stands and crawling under. Like to do as much maintenance myself as I can. Ordering parts 1st of Feb. Thanks, Robert
Simple Engineering provides high quality parts and support (period). No regrets.
I did both the Simple Engineering plate stiffener and LC32 front cross member at the same time, so I cannot speak to them independently. I did it on four jack stands. At the time Simple Engineering didn’t have the rear crossmember, so I have the Trailblazer rear crossmember. If Mike had the rear at the time, I would have bought it and still will, after I finish my planned tour of other upgrades.
What I noticed immediately was less “head shake” over bumps and less interior panel creaking as everything was tied together more rigidly. The front end will seem more planted. I was very pleased. I progressed later to larger stabilizer bars and new Bilsteins from Simple Engineering as well. I should have done the shocks sooner, they are transformative.
Why did I do the cross member and the stiffener at the same time? My philosophy is to do it once right and be done. I then don’t have to wonder, should I have done ______ too? (I’m told I over analyze things). Plus, when you do the stiffening plate, the cross member is staring you in the face. The parts are complimentary. They fit and work well together. The crossmember would be required to swap the pan out for a rear sump later on... Which is likely in the plans, so I’m keeping my options open (more analysis). Lastly you’ll read various opinions about when to get the alignment done (or not) when doing various upgrades, and doing it all at once simplified the equation. Use Dictator’s specs. Side note: I had the alignment touched up after I did the shocks and radiator support (just to be sure).
If I had to choose one component first, it would be the stiffening plate.
