The front leaf spring thread. who's doing it now? what have you learned?

[MJlogan]

I'm running a 'yota mil. wrap leaf in my xj pack and it seems to help with the spring bending/ shackle inversion. I'll be able to make a better judgement on how the xj's work after going to JV next weekend.

I'm coming from a butchered longarm setup with stock steering, so maybe thats why the leafs dont feel all that bad.

 

[jeepmj_tj]

I'm running a 'yota mil. wrap leaf in my xj pack and it seems to help with the spring bending/ shackle inversion. I'll be able to make a better judgement on how the xj's work after going to JV next weekend.

I'm coming from a butchered longarm setup with stock steering, so maybe thats why the leafs dont feel all that bad.

do you have any other pics of your setup.

 

[davidt]

I am going to tackle this project this weekend, I am going to be running toy rears up front, and was wondering if there are any problems I should watch for. Also, what length shocks are you guys running? thanks in advance. david

 

[baseballneal86]

Definitly take lots of pics along the way so we can all benefit from this.

Thanks, Neal

 

[BrettM]

I am going to tackle this project this weekend, I am going to be running toy rears up front, and was wondering if there are any problems I should watch for. Also, what length shocks are you guys running? thanks in advance. david

I'm running Bilstein 5100s in the 12 inch travel. my mounts are totally custom though. With 7 inches of lift I maybe could have fit 14" travel shocks without reducing up-travel, but 12 should be fine.

 

[davidt]

thanks brett, does anybody know their cab heighth, I don't want to build it in my garage and not be able to get it out

 

[BrettM]

thanks brett, does anybody know their cab heighth, I don't want to build it in my garage and not be able to get it out

here is a picture of mine with the front leafs at about 8 inches (this is right before first wheelin trip so they've broken in to about 7") and 35s. my parents' garage is whatever size is standard and there is still plenty of room.

 

[davidt]

got her done this weekend (almost). What did I learn? that you can't use a brettm style crossmember and stock lca mounts and use toy rears, they are just to long. I also learned that pro crap waggy extended brake lines don't work for the D44 in the front.

 

[MJlogan]

just got back from the tin benders jambo at JV- ran aftershock on friday night and it worked great- just need to get the tie rod a bit higher it wasnt too happy by the end of the trail.

 

[THRASHER]

Guess I will bring this back to the top with a shot of mine...moved today for the first time....still need to put in my gears and hook up the front shaft....

 

[baseballneal86]

I'm thinking of converting my XJ to leaves up front and would like to see some pics of people's approach angles. Can some of you leaf spring converts post up for me?

Thanks -Neal

 

[JeepFreak21]

I'm thinking of converting my XJ to leaves up front and would like to see some pics of people's approach angles. Can some of you leaf spring converts post up for me?

Thanks -Neal

CLICK HERE!
Billy

 

[mississippi_xj]

-steering. I didn't see any in your pics. I sure hope you're running crossover or high-steer, when I was using the stock Waggy inverted T it was scary. also, for steering arms, you will want to get one that is fairly short (i'm using partsmike) or a longer pitman arm so that you get full steering.

brett... what was the problem? bump steer? I have been considering going with the stock waggy steering for a while....

 

[BrettM]

brett... what was the problem? bump steer? I have been considering going with the stock waggy steering for a while....

for one, you don't get full left to right steering, though you could with a longer pitman arm (drop Waggy arm). but with the steep angle of the draglink you get both a big dead spot in the middle and massive bumpsteer.

 

[mississippi_xj]

now.... if I wanted to use my superlift trac bar could I just make sure it is parallel to the draglink and that take care of that? don't really wan't a trac bar, but I am doing this on a super tight budget... I will probably go full high steer sometime in the future...

 

[BrettM]

a panhard (tracbar) would take care of the bump-steer but not the dead spot or limited steering angle.

the angle will be so steep on that panhard that you will get very little flex or movement out of the front end as the leafs verticle travel binds with the panhard's arc.

I would highly recommend waiting until you can do it right.

 

[mississippi_xj]

fiar enough... thanks for the info. how does one of these setups ride on the street? (w/ good steering)

how about something like this? I have abuddy with a cj that runs something super similar to this.... he just doesn't have as steep of a draglink angle.

 

[mississippi_xj]

well... enough of me sounding like a 'tard...

going with crossover from sky manufacturing and gearing the front with 4.56's to match the rear I have found. anyone run a welded front with manual hubs? also anyone have any input on rotating the pinion up and turning the knuckles? just grind the welds and hit with a BFH.... right?

Brett, I am going with an isuzu 12bolt with disc brakes, 4.56's and welded.... thought you might appreciate the whole japanise rear end thing....

 

[BrettM]

well... enough of me sounding like a 'tard...

going with crossover from sky manufacturing and gearing the front with 4.56's to match the rear I have found. anyone run a welded front with manual hubs? also anyone have any input on rotating the pinion up and turning the knuckles? just grind the welds and hit with a BFH.... right?

Brett, I am going with an isuzu 12bolt with disc brakes, 4.56's and welded.... thought you might appreciate the whole japanise rear end thing....

i've never ran with a welded front, but I have accidentally left my ARB locked before (same thing, essentially a spool). IT SUCKED!!! Save $200 and get an Aussie locker, until then, leave it alone.

rotate the knuckles, it will just take a bunch of grinding and a RBFH (the R stands for REALLY) then a good hot welder.

 

[mississippi_xj]

cool... thanks for the input man.