wj Knuckle clarification

[93ZeeJ]

ok so i was pretty confident that i had my setup just right for when i install it all but after reading a thread or 2 on pirate about it.. im unsure

heres what im going to be using for brakes on my WJ knuckles swap

sport trac rotors
akebono calipers
wj knuckles
jks tie rod and drag link
yada yada rest doesnt matter

the question i have is... with the sport trac rotors.. do i still need to space out the caliper? i have heard yes and seen pictures that show that i do.. but i have also heard that with the sport trac rotors the calipers do not need spaced

which is it?


i was under the impression it needed to be spaced still

where did you guys source your longer bolts from?


also i know there is a way to do this without using spacers...is that by getting different hubs? which hubs is it that make it so you dotn need caliper spacers

[AgitatedPancake]

I don't know what rotor Andy was using, but he had the hub spacer and little 1/4" spacers for the calipers. That much spacing for the caliper isn't really thaaaat big of a deal

[Jeeptech01]

IIRC the 01? xj/tj knucks have different spacing since they switched to composite rotors. There is a thread or two on here about it. One of them even specs the standoff heights for the different bearings. Alberslondh and I were discussing it.

[jsteves]

Yes, you still need the spacer.

[squashman702]

[Potentially stupid question] Did you assemble everything yet? Seems to me this would be the best indicator of whether or not you need a spacer. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes to slap it together, even if the knuckles aren't mounted yet. [/Pontenitally stupid question]

[Jeeptech01]

Good point. If you have all the stuff put it together and let us know. I have yet to start gathering my parts.

[jsteves]

My old man used the sport trac rotors...you still need the spacer.

[Jeeptech01]

I got a nice set of the mesh style 17" WJ wheels today for $50 I wonder if I can use the WJ knucks rotors and bearings. I know they use XJ stubs for the WJ u jointed shafts?? Then I just have to swap my rear spacers on the 8.8

[93ZeeJ]

i would piece it all togethor but the axle assembly and hubs are elsewhere right now

hubs are on the jeep ( going to reuse old ones )

and the new HP30 housing thats going to replace the current HP30 housing is getting its truss and inner c gussets and stuff done to it right now... once i have all of that done i can get started

[93ZeeJ]

OK ... so ive read multiple places that 99-06 TJ/XJ hubs eliminate the need for the caliper spacers

timken part number HA597449

found them for 142.00 shipped on rockauto.com

anyone know if these hubs still require some machining for the sport trac rotors to fit over them? or do they eliminate that step as well?

[Diman]

I've done WJ knuckle swap on my rig, very nice mod actually.

Here's parts you need.
Akebono calipers 4802 casting number, make sure caliper brackets are included. WJ caliper bolts M12 x 1.25 pitch grade 10.9
WJ rotors, you will have to redrill them. Other rotors will require caliper spacing. Use an old hub to mark drill holes
JKS flange spacers
If you go OTK, use GoFerit inserts to flip your tie rod and drag link

TJ 2001-2006 hubs part number 5016458AA
These hubs together with WJ rotors will eliminate the need to space out the caliper
Here's the difference, TJ's to the left.

[Jim311]

Yabut, then you need to buy new unit bearings $$$



Is it really that big of a deal to put in a few washers to space it out? Not to me, cuz that's what I did.

[DJJordache]

I still have not done my swap yet, as Im' waiting for it to cool down some from being 100+ everyday. but I also am going the route of using the newer unit bearings. but before I purchased them I mocked up the longer/bolt spacer method and never really liked spacing the brakes like that. I know tons of others have done it and I don't know of anyone that has had an issue, and the additional leverage may not be much but I was not comfortable with it. anyways I needed new bearings anyway and got new ones off of Amazon of all places for less than half what Vatozone wanted for the SAME Timkens.

and I like to make things difficult to I'm going to try and get ABS to still work on it=) I have a few ideas but I need some front sensors for mockup first.

[93ZeeJ]

I still have not done my swap yet, as Im' waiting for it to cool down some from being 100+ everyday. but I also am going the route of using the newer unit bearings. but before I purchased them I mocked up the longer/bolt spacer method and never really liked spacing the brakes like that. I know tons of others have done it and I don't know of anyone that has had an issue, and the additional leverage may not be much but I was not comfortable with it. anyways I needed new bearings anyway and got new ones off of Amazon of all places for less than half what Vatozone wanted for the SAME Timkens.

and I like to make things difficult to I'm going to try and get ABS to still work on it=) I have a few ideas but I need some front sensors for mockup first.

what was the timken part number for the hubs that you got?

was it HA597449 ??

also has anyone tried the newer TJ hubs with the sport trac rotors? do they fit without shaving the hubs a little?

[DJJordache]

yes those are the ones=) I'm using redrilled WJ rotors. I used a wheel adapter that converts 5x5 to 5x4.5 and bolted that to the WJ rotor and then used that as a drilling template. it worked PERFECTLY to get exactly centered 5x4.5 bolt holes.

[93ZeeJ]

yes those are the ones=) I'm using redrilled WJ rotors. I used a wheel adapter that converts 5x5 to 5x4.5 and bolted that to the WJ rotor and then used that as a drilling template. it worked PERFECTLY to get exactly centered 5x4.5 bolt holes.

how willing would you be to mail me that adapter so i can redrill mine? ill pay shipping to Colorado

ive called a few shops and they all say not to redrill rotors cause it is unsafe.... opinions?

edit nvmd i found a few places

[DJJordache]

I used ones like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4pc-5-Lug-4-...item3cb04c9ef1

I bolted these to the WJ rotor so things are NICE and TIGHT, then used the 5x4.5" holes as drill guides for my drill press. BAM perfectly centered holes. If you want to borrow the adapter hit me up a pm

[93ZeeJ]

Does anyone know if the 06 TJ hubs have the same size or smaller diameter flange? I'm curious if those newer hubs eliminates the need to grind a little off the edge of the flange if using the sport trac rotors

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[RNMedic]

okay first post here. I have and XJ and jst bought a 97 ZJ that all my stuff is moving too. I have all the stuff for a WJ swap, but need to know if anyone here with the ZJ's has upgraded to the WJ M/C and booster or is the ZJ M/C and booster up to the task of the Twin piston calipers and a Ford 8.8 Rear end?? Thanks, John

[93ZeeJ]

Solution found! !!!!!!!

Iron rock offroad now sells cross drilled and slotted WJ rotors that are dual drilled! They have 5 x 5.5 AND 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern. 139.99 for the pair! Gonna return my rotors to advance auto and buy these instead

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[black_zj]

Any updates on this? I need more braking power for the 35's and am curious if you ever got this finished.