I'm going to lift my jeep
Posted: December 7th, 2013, 7:13 pm
My factory size/style 31inch Goodyear MTR tires are worn. I am going to install 33 inch MTRs with Kevlar sidewalls before spring. I could go with a 35 inch, or even a 37 tire with my axles....but I would need a re-gear, high line front fenders, brakes, and probably steering and new locking differentials just to start....in addition to the same 2-3 inch suspension lift I will be doing just to run 33's.
The interesting and somewhat uncommon things is that I will be changing my suspension geometry to run somewhat small tires, yet the setup will be essentially the same as guys who run 42 inch tires and shaved 14 bolt rear axles in competition buggies.
Currently (in stock form) my axles ( the blue thing) use a 4 link system with trackbar (panhard) with coil springs all around. They are referred to as upper (2 orange rods in pic) and lower (2 yellow rods in pic) control arms that have rubber bushings at both ends making 4 links. Those control the twisting of the axle and determine the ride, control, overall handling of the axle "flex" through out it's entire motion... and the panhard (green rod) controls movement from side to side.
I will be installing a 3 link front with a panhard and a triangulated 4 link on the rear that should allow me to remove the panhard as seen below.
triangulated 4 link :
3 link front: Note the pic below uses shocks with springs (you can't see) known as coilovers...they are the shiny rods that go up and down.
New springs, shocks, joints, (instead of bushings stoner) and I will me making my control arms and welding stuff all over the place. I could easily buy a "kit" but unless I do some welding it will not perform as well as Jeep engineered what I have currently...which is a excellent design I should add.
pics to come.
The interesting and somewhat uncommon things is that I will be changing my suspension geometry to run somewhat small tires, yet the setup will be essentially the same as guys who run 42 inch tires and shaved 14 bolt rear axles in competition buggies.
Currently (in stock form) my axles ( the blue thing) use a 4 link system with trackbar (panhard) with coil springs all around. They are referred to as upper (2 orange rods in pic) and lower (2 yellow rods in pic) control arms that have rubber bushings at both ends making 4 links. Those control the twisting of the axle and determine the ride, control, overall handling of the axle "flex" through out it's entire motion... and the panhard (green rod) controls movement from side to side.
I will be installing a 3 link front with a panhard and a triangulated 4 link on the rear that should allow me to remove the panhard as seen below.
triangulated 4 link :
3 link front: Note the pic below uses shocks with springs (you can't see) known as coilovers...they are the shiny rods that go up and down.
New springs, shocks, joints, (instead of bushings stoner) and I will me making my control arms and welding stuff all over the place. I could easily buy a "kit" but unless I do some welding it will not perform as well as Jeep engineered what I have currently...which is a excellent design I should add.
pics to come.