More Cutting. Taco Time????

[Monkey55]

Over the last year, I've been been contemplating on going back to stock height because my XJ is a rough ride. I have almost all of the stock suspension parts. I even have a D30 & a D44 with 3.55 gears ready to pop in.

So, a couple of months ago I decided to lower it from 4.5" to 3" of lift and run all terrain tires instead of the mud terrains.

I figured that I need to trim the rear fenders a little more in order to clear 33s at 3" of lift.


The 33s look small now...

I had to cut slits in the wheel wells in order to expand it.

Now I know why they call it "booger welds." I've heard of guys welding up sheet metal with a flux core welder, but I just kept burning the metal. I might try it again. Maybe a bunch of small tack welds. :dunno:

Look at the BIG gaping hole in the rock rail. I should cover it with duct tape or something. :gee:
I plan on replacing the rockers with 2"x6" square tube.



Now I have 5" of clearance from the corner of the rocker to the tire.

10" of clearance from the top of the wheel well.

This is a weird camera angle, but it's about 8" of clearance from the rear quarter panel.

After seeing how much more clearance I have, it makes me want to stay at this height and go to 35's.. :wierd:

I think I'm going to get some thick sheet metal and cover the inside of the wheel wells. I haven't done the passenger side yet because I don't want exhaust coming in.

I'm pretty confident that I'll have enough clearance when I lower it to be 3" of lift.

E

 

[codyyy]

Wow, that's a lot for such a small lift. I'm wondering if anyone has physically cut out the wheel wells and made bigger ones, if I had a two-door that's exactly what I'd do. Maybe make the bigger wells wider too so that the tires have more room to flex in the wells. I haven't searched but it's probably been done.

 

[Monkey55]

Wow, that's a lot for such a small lift. ......

Haven't you heard that a "Low Center of Gravity" is the new chrome??

... I'm wondering if anyone has physically cut out the wheel wells and made bigger ones....

It's pretty common on Pirate. I just don't have the "know how."

E

 

[cal]

I had my black rig cut in pretty much the exact same way. I never bothered to weld up the cracks (but you're right, a ton of 'tacks' is the way to do it I believe..) and never really had a problem with exhaust or water coming in.

This was not max compression - I could go up another 1.5" or so .. I just ran out of hill to flex out on.

 

[Monkey55]

Cal - what lift and tire size combo were you running?

 

[cal]

315/75/16 on about 6-6.5", peiced together with mostly RE parts. It looked like a pile, but it drove like a honda civic.

RE ZJ 4.5" coils (5.5" on xj) with an ACOS (no adjuster collar, so 1" lift).
RE 5.5" HD springs with a 1" TNT shackle
bilstien 7100 fronts 275/79 and 5150 rears 255/70

drop brackets and WJ steering to keep the ride nice.

 

[codyyy]

I'm debating if I should do something like this to my Jeep. My front fenders are already folded for me thanks to my tires. I like to keep the COG low, right now I have 4.5" of lift on 32s but I'll want some 33s.

 

[Monkey55]

I'm debating if I should do something like this to my Jeep. My front fenders are already folded for me thanks to my tires. I like to keep the COG low, right now I have 4.5" of lift on 32s but I'll want some 33s.

You don't have to trim that much to fit 33's under a 4.5" lift. There are plenty of writes up in the Mod Tech Forum. I trimmed mine right at the pinch seam and it had enough clearance for 33's under my RE 4.5" SF.

E

 

[codyyy]

I'm almost wanting to go with 35s, though, but was told not to with a DD Jeep.

 

[Monkey55]

.....


RE ZJ 4.5" coils (5.5" on xj) with an ACOS (no adjuster collar, so 1" lift).
RE 5.5" HD springs with a 1" TNT shackle
bilstien 7100 fronts 275/79 and 5150 rears 255/70

drop brackets and WJ steering to keep the ride nice.

I keep hearing that Bilstiens are the way to go....

Now I want 35's (or equivalent) after seeing the pics of your tire stuffed up in the wheel well. Oh well, I can always dream...

E

 

[Bentonedge]

trimming is the way to bigger meets. i got 42s and 4". i also love my sawzall

 

[GrimmJeeper]

Fixed

 

[Dewey]

Mike... that is hilarious!

 

[djblade311]

haha! nice Mike.

after the trim, go for the brazilian wax. Looks good Elias. ive been tempted to go 35s constantly but holding back due to the daily driving

 

[Monkey55]

Thanks Mike.. Now I get hungry every time I look at my Jeep.. I should have requested a chicken taco.... :lickout:

trimming is the way to bigger meets. i got 42s and 4". i also love my sawzall

Holy Smokes!! I have to dig up your thread and take it look at it...

haha! nice Mike.

after the trim, go for the brazilian wax. Looks good Elias. ive been tempted to go 35s constantly but holding back due to the daily driving

Hey.... what happens in the bedroom, stays there!!

After thinking about it, reality set it. I have no money to go to 35's. I'm still running stock steering and stock front axle shafts. :wierd:

I'm also going to have to wait until I gather enough money to buy shocks for when I lower it... :tear:



Well, I'm starting to think that I'm addicted to cutting...... I heard it's something I should see a psychiatrist about.. :looney:


I got the passenger side done today. It was easier and came out better... of course.

I wonder why the neighbors look at me funny.. :gee:

My wife doesn't even ask what I'm doing anymore.. She doesn't want to know.. :spin1:

I think I'll start practicing tack welding sheet metal this weekend.. I don't like the idea of having those holes in it.

E