Red Jeeps reincarnation

Anybody got any opinions on the 3 link/crossmember? is mounting the arms off the crossmember even worth it? I'm tempted to just re do everything, mount the arms off the frame and not even worry about the crossmember being strong enough. not to mention then I wouldn't have to drop the crossmember and arms to do my trans fluid.

Would be way cheaper and quicker to just slap a upper arm off the top of the crossmember and call it a day, but since the RK 4 link upper arms use a forked end to bolt into the stock axle side mounts rather than a heim or jj (Adam used those arms), should I try and hunt down a forked upper link? or just cut off the axle side mounts and replace them with a bracket for a heim?
 
Those RK upper mounts are really nice. I'd just use a forked upper and slap it to the x member. You really don't have to think much about front 3 links... You have plenty of axle side separation already.
 
XJLI said:
Those RK upper mounts are really nice. I'd just use a forked upper and slap it to the x member. You really don't have to think much about front 3 links... You have plenty of axle side separation already.
Click to expand...

I'm definitely over thinking things since I'm not driving and actually have time to think. Still not sure if thats a good thing or not.

Best match to the RK arms were these guys, but theyre designed for synergys long arm brackets which are a bit farther forward from the crossmember instead of on top, so the arms would be too short. Tried finding just the forked inserts with no luck. Tired of looking for shit so clayton 3 link arm and 2 brackets will do, at least then all my arms will have the same joints. Claytons website doesnt mention the arms length but if its designed for their 3 link it should be long enough. If not ill stop being lazy and build an arm.
 
**** that MORE shit, get a brace setup from Boostwerks and tie it in with some GOOD front stiffeners, aka ones that plate the outside and bottom of the rails.
 
Just gut some bungs, joints and tube and build your own arm and be done. Or you could even cut and slug your current Clayton uppers
 
the MORE brace was literally handed to me so I'm throwing it in until the hydro assist because its 3 bolts. Would never have bought one otherwise and have no plans on keeping it. Definitely plating both outside and bottom, I've already got a crack starting to form near the steering box. Ross as much as I love the front bumper you built I might need to part ways with it to do a front crossmember/recessed winch setup with some tube wings. I could probably just weld the steering box brace and inner plate on the passenger side but if I did full front stiffys finding an aftermarket bumper that will go over them will be a pain. Might as well build it.

Rob I was actually playing around with that idea the other day but after measuring it still wouldnt be long enough. I do still have a couple feet of 1.75x.120 laying around, think that would be strong enough for an upper?
 
Colin994 said:
the MORE brace was literally handed to me so I'm throwing it in until the hydro assist because its 3 bolts. Would never have bought one otherwise and have no plans on keeping it. Definitely plating both outside and bottom, I've already got a crack starting to form near the steering box. Ross as much as I love the front bumper you built I might need to part ways with it to do a front crossmember/recessed winch setup with some tube wings. I could probably just weld the steering box brace and inner plate on the passenger side but if I did full front stiffys finding an aftermarket bumper that will go over them will be a pain. Might as well build it.

Rob I was actually playing around with that idea the other day but after measuring it still wouldnt be long enough. I do still have a couple feet of 1.75x.120 laying around, think that would be strong enough for an upper?
Click to expand...

That's what my rear uppers are made of
 
Hydro assist or not, do a really brace. Even with all my work, I still wanna do one. It ties the rails together better and I'm gunna make a front mini skid off it to protect the bottom of the winch behind the front crossmember. 1.75x.120 is fine for an upper, pretty sure all of use with 3 links have that as the UCA, me included. It doesn't see rocks, it doesn't need the thick wall to be strong enough.
 
Awesome. Thanks guys. Probably going to keep things simple with jjs rather than doing ruffstuff heims, but looks like clayton doesn't make inserts for anything over 1.5x.120.

Pretty sure these should fit, right hand threaded, 1.25 joint for a 1.5 Id tube, Johnnys are 1.25" x 12, anyone know if the threading on ruff stuffs heims is any different?

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/125TARH.html

If so I'll just do heims for the upper instead
 
foxwar71 said:
get a brace setup from Boostwerks
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http://www.boostwerksengineering.com/The-Ultimate-XJ-Steering-Brace_p_8.html

If this is the brace you speak of, how the **** did I not know it existed? Gone through Boostwerks build thread to see if I could copy his crossmember a million times and never even thought to go to their website. Loving the idea of that brace, can totally picture what you're describing now, sounds badass.

edit: now that I think of it maybe i'll try to use the MORE brace for the track bar bracket instead, hmmmmmmm
 
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Colin994 said:
http://www.boostwerksengineering.com/The-Ultimate-XJ-Steering-Brace_p_8.html

If this is the brace you speak of, how the **** did I not know it existed? Gone through Boostwerks build thread to see if I could copy his crossmember a million times and never even thought to go to their website. Loving the idea of that brace, can totally picture what you're describing now, sounds badass.

edit: now that I think of it maybe i'll try to use the MORE brace for the track bar bracket instead, hmmmmmmm
Click to expand...

ya, that thing is nice. a TB bracket brace is a good idea too.
 
after looking through your build thread im pretty sure you just take pics while brianna, dan and johnny do the work...
 
Mpeckham22 said:
after looking through your build thread im pretty sure you just take pics while brianna, dan and johnny do the work...
Click to expand...

you caught me..... Briannas contributions are a purple plasti dipped hitch, writing her name with the welder, and moral support. Dan and Johnny have been preoccupied with their own jeep so other than helping move axles into place, helping lift the tranny into place during the clutch, and some other things here and there its been a solo mission. The rocker replacements/rear stiffys/shock hoops took for ****ing ever and I'm still not 100% done with them. or the doors. still procrastinating trimming the doors correctly. :smoker:
 
FINALLY had court this morning, and honestly it went as well as it could have, was found not responsible and my charges were put on hold for 3 months so till around January 5th. My suspensions end in early November so I just can't get in any trouble until jan or else I'm found guilty on eeeeevverything. Probably just won't drive till January anyway. Still wont have my license back for Rocktoberfest but im just ****ing relieved im getting it back at all.
 
XJLI said:
Good. Now buy a late 90s minivan so you never get pulled over.
Click to expand...

Funny thing is my friend offered me his parents shitty old sienna over the summer before he got rid of it, probably should have said yes. Might try and find a zj or an older 5.9 1500 or something for the winter, just need to sell all my junk and see how much money I've got to blow
 
your jeep is bad and you should feel bad
Its+more+like+zoidberg+_13714002da21022f3aa9ed6a77357143.jpg
 
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