4x4 to 2wd and back again

[GrimmJeeper]

i was wondering about this. as it sits now my 95 XJ 4.0 auto 231 is 4x4, but mostly setup for go fast in the dirt suspension wise. i do get out and play in the rocks and the mud every once in awhile so i love the 4x4 for that. but when i go play in the dunes i worry alot about bending my d30. i know i could truss it, and not have to worry about it anymore, but i was thinking more along the lines of swapping a trussed 2wd front beam in, pulling the front driveshaft, and driving off like that. all the mounts for the control arms and suspension/steering are the same, and it would save alot of weight in the front end.

just curious what would be the pros and cons of a setup like that. basically i would swap the front axle in for the winter rock crawling, and the 2wd beam in for the summer/fall speeding though the desert.

thoughts?

 

[scottmcneal]

Way to much work.... Just get a sec jeep.. lol

 

[z_lindig]

sounds good to me. i've put a rubicon express long-arm kit on an XJ and it seemed kinda cool to me, in a weird way. plus there'd be that much less weight/rolling resistance. not that we should be worried too much about gas prices right now.:flamemad: :flamemad: :flamemad:

 

[Wiser]

buy that kids yellow 2wd for a second so he can get a 4x4

 

[GrimmJeeper]

im not buying a second XJ

as much as i would love to the wife wouldnt have it. and, as i said, my jeep is already set up for going fast in the sand. why start over? its not THAT hard to swap the front axle, its only about an hours worth of work.

 

[scottmcneal]

An how much beer? Cost just went up.. I say you have a good ideal, just have to change front ends all the time would bug me..

 

[Ryno XJ]

I know there is a few Jeepspeed teams that will switch from a 2wd to a 4wd set-up, depending on the type of race course.
I am not sure how they do it, but it can be done.
I do agree though, just buy another Jeep!!

 

[GrimmJeeper]

An how much beer? Cost just went up.. I say you have a good ideal, just have to change front ends all the time would bug me..

all the time? twice, maybe 4 times a year? no big deal :dunno:



is that the only downside? is there any reason hauling ass with the front DS removed would cause a problem with the tcase?

 

[scottmcneal]

now your just being a post whore aren't you? but your young so go for it..It get way to hot to change chit around all the time.. BB has rocks, azusa has mud, so do you still need 4x4 for these places? Great places for summer

 

[tcm glx]

Grimm.....

truss the d30...and call it a day....:

http://tntcustoms.com/page.asp?pageid=126

Pull the axle if you want, I ran mine without it for about 4 months...didnt have any issues.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

Grimm.....

truss the d30...and call it a day....:

http://tntcustoms.com/page.asp?pageid=126

Pull the axle if you want, I ran mine without it for about 4 months...didnt have any issues.

im just thinking maybe the weight difference might help? or would that change the way my shocks need to be valved? i suppose with less weight they would need lighter rebound.

 

[tcm glx]

im just thinking maybe the weight difference might help? or would that change the way my shocks need to be valved? i suppose with less weight they would need lighter rebound.

In theory, yes...but unless you are seriously hauling butt....you would be ok....

seriously, truss ( I am sure you know someone that can install the truss ) and call it a day!

 

[asp]

truss is my vote. !!!1

 

[Sierra Drifter]

There is a guy name Skullver with a build thread on pirate that is doing exactly what you are talking about. Link to his jeepspeed build thread is down below.

"In one picture you show a braced D30, and in the other a 2WD beam. Is the beam a spare in case you break the D30 out in the middle of nowhere, or is it required/desireable for certain races?"

Most of the time we will be running in 2wd, but some courses 4wd is beneficial, so we will remove the front shaft and swap the front ends, we will also have a spare 3rd for the rear so we can have lowest for D30, 4.88 while in 4wd, and have a 5.xx third for running 2wd, still haven't gotten to the dialing stages yet but that is the plan.
Chris
__________________
Jeepspeed project:http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=581250

 

[GrimmJeeper]

( I am sure you know someone that can install the truss )

hmmmm........

 

[GrimmJeeper]

There is a guy name Skullver with a build thread on pirate that is doing exactly what you are talking about. Link to his jeepspeed build thread is down below.

"In one picture you show a braced D30, and in the other a 2WD beam. Is the beam a spare in case you break the D30 out in the middle of nowhere, or is it required/desireable for certain races?"

Most of the time we will be running in 2wd, but some courses 4wd is beneficial, so we will remove the front shaft and swap the front ends, we will also have a spare 3rd for the rear so we can have lowest for D30, 4.88 while in 4wd, and have a 5.xx third for running 2wd, still haven't gotten to the dialing stages yet but that is the plan.
Chris
__________________
Jeepspeed project:http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=581250

thanks for the link, i know Chris, and i will email hiim and ask his oppinion as well. BTW he is on here as well his SN is Skullvarian http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=918472

 

[cds36]

Grimm.....

truss the d30...and call it a day....:

http://tntcustoms.com/page.asp?pageid=126

Pull the axle if you want, I ran mine without it for about 4 months...didnt have any issues.

X2 on truss the front axle and be done with it