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rstrucks
12-20-2008, 07:09 PM
I have managed to talk the wife into keeping the ZJ (A/C and 35's;)) for mild trail running and the YJ for body damage/roll-over risk trails.

So, anybody got a link to a good (but mild) YJ WB stretch build. I know I'm being lazy but I've looked around a bit, and have found some decent stuff, but it is either a 4 link conversion, high dollar, a 112" stretch, or a hack job. I guess I could keep looking but my eye's hurt from staring at this stupid screen.

I am looking to gain a few inches up front and a few out back (keeping my SOA) - nothing major. I am prepared to move the gas tank if need be but I think I can go 3 or 4 inches w/o moving it. The goal is just a bit more stability for these SE trails w/o spending too much $$$. Up front I have to deal w/ the st. box and want to avoid full hydro due to D44 knuckle strength issues. Thanks in advance for any help.

Ryan

Pearce
12-20-2008, 07:16 PM
cough cough ........ four link rear, coil springs :smt033

How about quarter eliptical in the rear.

CrawlerReady
12-20-2008, 07:23 PM
Here is my bro's YJ...

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v322/164/13/330900191/n330900191_78737_5418.jpg

ATL ZJ
12-20-2008, 07:45 PM
1/4" elip is a throwback without too many real advantages. It doesn't really save you $ over plain coils. I would look at keeping leaves in the rear, and linking the front to push it forward. 4 links don't have to be ALL that expensive if you source the material yourself. I'm sure you can get a decent deal on flex joints, but if not let me know, the Trail Gear ones are very affordable through a friend of mine.

Cam

loosecannon
12-20-2008, 08:46 PM
make a rear bumper with shackle mounting points.

you can use xj rear springs bolted in the stock location (longer spring overall for better flex and offset center pin for wheelbase gain)

F-150 springs in this setup are the cat's ass, super long, make for great street manners, and gain a good amount of wheelbase

I ran f-150's setup like above, with waggy springs in the front. my wheelbase was a nice 104". Rode better than most factory jeeps.

rstrucks
12-21-2008, 12:12 AM
Guess I oughta give some more info. My YJ already has a Fabtech rock krawler kit on it - radius arms and CO's up front and SOA in the back with a traction bar.

The height is fine I jsut want a little more wheel base. I do have a pair of XJ lift springs laying around I could use if needed. I want to leave the front alone other than pushing it forward a bit as it flexes pretty well and is fairly stable.

Crawler Ready, you have any specs, pics or add'l info on your brothers YJ? The back of that looks like what I'm lookin to do.

I'll probably pass on the 1/4 'lipticle.

Thanks fellas

IndyZJ
12-21-2008, 12:49 AM
You could push the front forward 4-8 inches with an astro steering box in the stock location. Everything bolts up, but it's reverse throw. If you're happy with the way the rear springs work, you could always move the spring mounts back a few inches and keep your stock tank and not have to deal with the XJ stuff. I'd move the rear back in my YJ, but I want to keep the stock 20 gal. tank with a 9 inch. Instead, I'm planning on an astro box and pushing the front 4-6 inches forward to get around 100" and let me use longer radius arms (hp44 with cast mounts).

CrawlerReady
12-21-2008, 03:20 AM
Yeah, I personally can't remember the exact details, but he is coming over tomorrow for family dinner so I'll be sure to ask him. In the mean time here is what I'm pretty sure about. He has a SOA rear with STOCK XJ springs, 2 main leafs on each for extra support, and has the shackle mounts welded off the bumper. He pulled the tank and had to put a fuel cell behind the rear seat. I also want to say it's a 101" wheelbase now, but don't know for sure. I'll get all the correct info from him. I also think he has better pictures, but here's what I've got for now...

http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93776_1515.jpg

http://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93777_1778.jpg

http://photos-c.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93778_2033.jpg

Pearce
12-21-2008, 11:24 AM
My YJ is stretched at 104 right now, and I really like it. But when I switch to the one ton axles I am going to push the front more forward and the rear up a little as well. I feel like the rear got a little to light with as far back as I went. I want to get a more balanced weight than I currently have. I'd try to get as much out of the front as you can. Zero approach angle is really nice! If i wasnt going full hydro I'd probably have to do something like the Astro box on mine. As it is I've hit the pitman arm TRE on the diff a couple times on a big bounce. Better bump stops would help that though, lol.

rstrucks
12-21-2008, 05:44 PM
My YJ is stretched at 104 right now, and I really like it. But when I switch to the one ton axles I am going to push the front more forward and the rear up a little as well. I feel like the rear got a little to light with as far back as I went. I want to get a more balanced weight than I currently have. I'd try to get as much out of the front as you can. Zero approach angle is really nice!

I was thinking about that last night. I didn't want to do all the stretching at one end because of the balance issue. Your at 104 - is that all in rear stretch?

I actually picked up an Astro st. box this am from P-A-P for about 25 bucks - I love that place. I also picked up and alternator for my DD for $12!

So the current plan (thanks INDY) is a few inches out back by moving the spring mounts (as far as I can w/o f'n with the tank) and about 5 or 6 inches up front and using the Astro box. It'll be a few weeks 'till I get started on it but when I do I'll probably start a build thread on it.

CR - thanks for the pics and info. I'll take more if you got em. BTW that must be one tuff muff/cat under the RF tire!

Ryan

CrawlerReady
12-21-2008, 06:11 PM
I'll tell my brother to bring his pictures tonight of the build.

As for the muffler...that's an Aero Exhaust ;) (best muffler on the market for off-road IMO)

Pearce
12-21-2008, 09:27 PM
I moved the front far enough to clear 37's with no trimming, and the rest was in the back. Unfortunately I couldn't tell you how much each way. I honestly look back at that build and sometimes figure I must have been in some kind of zone where everything just worked out great, LOL. But if you want, give me some control points and I can pull a tape for you to get an idea. Maybe the front and rear skid plate bolts or whatever makes sense for you.

paulkeith
12-21-2008, 11:00 PM
you can also cheat the rear axle a small amount by drilling offcenter holes in the perch, not sure if you've done that already anyway. I'd say you could reasonably get about an inch out of that, but if you're going to move the spring mounts anyway, might as well move them as far as you need to. it does help out with departure angles on a leaf spring suspension though.

CrawlerReady
12-22-2008, 03:29 AM
Alright here are some more pics. I was right earlier with what I had thought. 101" wheelbase, rear XJ springs (2 main leafs per pack), 15gal fuel cell...other than that, pictures are pretty self explanatory.

http://photos-e.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93900_3255.jpg

http://photos-d.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93899_2989.jpg

http://photos-c.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93898_2722.jpg

http://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93897_2451.jpg

http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93896_2190.jpg

http://photos-h.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93895_1936.jpg

http://photos-f.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93901_3522.jpg

http://photos-g.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1506/164/13/330900191/n330900191_93894_1644.jpg

adam99wj
12-22-2008, 02:16 PM
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=567263

heres a thread on pirate 4x4 all about stretched YJs, some ppl go into good detail with it as to which leaf packs to use ect