Where do I go from here?

[loki_racer]

Called the guy that is currently holding my XJ. It has smaller u joints.

So my changes are looking like:
- 8.25 with locker
- ditch front locker, possibly replace with limited slip
- truss the front and change to 760's
- move to 16" or 17" wheels so I can ditch the 1.5" spacers required for the WJ knuckles

On a different note. What's the word on the General Grabbers? They don't a 16" model, so I would have to run 17" rims with 33" tires. I can't find a website that lists tire weights for easy comparison.

 

[DieselSJ]

Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISIrPPfXAGg&hd=1

Wow. Just wow. I simply cannot believe the lack of safety equipment they let you guys race with. That is just stupid. No cage...no window nets...no fuel cells...not a single fire extinguisher in sight in any of those vehicles.

 

[loki_racer]

Ya. There were some complaints about the firesuit requirement. It was their first season, plus we don't reach speeds like out west. I would be willing to bet the average speed for a Class A rig is 30mph (this is probably on the high side).

Fire extinguishers have to be reachable by a seated driver. Firesuits are required, with neck braces most likely being required next year. Roll cages will likely be required next year as well.

 

[DieselSJ]

If you can't afford the safety equipment (complaints about fire suits? really?) then you can't afford to race.

 

[loki_racer]

I never said I complained about firesuits. I'd rather this thread not descend into a pissing match about safety equipment. That's been discussed elsewhere.

Anyone have feedback on the Grabbers?

 

[tbburg]

As suggested above, ditch the front locker. The -30 will live a long time with open spider gears. You might consider picking up a 97-99 front axle housing.(does away with the disconnect housing on the axle tube). If you're looking through the Junkyard anyway, see if you can find a rear Dana-44 instead of the Cryco 8.25. The -44 isn't a whole lot stronger, but has a lot more aftermarket support. Consider a spool out back if it's legal(costs less, weighs less) rather then a locker.
I'm a little surprised they don't require a basic cage, although the fuel cell thing is a little more common(Rallyamerica doesn't require them in most classes either)

...,plus we don't reach speeds like out west. I would be willing to bet the average speed for a Class A rig is 30mph (this is probably on the high side).

The average speed of most of the Jeepspeed field is around 30MPH. Our (moving)GPS average at the PARKER 425 last year was about 20mph in a stock class truck. Our top speed was in excess of 50 along the power line road. As you found out, when something goes wrong, it happens fast.

Fire extinguishers have to be reachable by a seated driver. Firesuits are required, with neck braces most likely being required next year.

If you don't have at least a foam neck brace, get one. They're not that expensive. http://www.pyrotect.com/product.php?productid=15&cat=0&page=1 Smash into something helmet first, and the whole load is transferred to you neck.

 

[95REDXJ]

that doorless cherokee is sweet, but racing with no doors???

 

[GrimmJeeper]

As suggested above, ditch the front locker. The -30 will live a long time with open spider gears. You might consider picking up a 97-99 front axle housing.(does away with the disconnect housing on the axle tube).

I've never seen a disco housing in a rig newer than 1991, just FYI. I dont think they came in any HO XJ.

 

[loki_racer]

Figured I would throw some news in on this thread. Got the XJ back up and running and noticed my front wheels are nicely <sarcasm> cambered for me. Looks like I'll be getting a new housing and trussing it.

 

[kastein]

Check if it's the tubes or the inner Cs that are bent.

Bending inner Cs back is trivial with a 4lb hand sledge (if the axle is out of the vehicle.) Whack the crap out of them till they bend back (use your angle finder), then weld gussets on.

 

[loki_racer]

I was wondering about that. What are the chances that I bent both inner c's and not the axle?

 

[kastein]

Pretty decent. Stick an angle finder on the axle tubes and find out. You can probably see the bend in the inner Cs just looking at them if you know what to look for (i.e. which lines in the forgings are supposed to be straight and which aren't.)

 

[GrimmJeeper]

Figured I would throw some news in on this thread. Got the XJ back up and running and noticed my front wheels are nicely <sarcasm> cambered for me. Looks like I'll be getting a new housing and trussing it.

if it's not a daily driver and you aren't crawling it I would leave it as is, a little bit of negative camber will make you more stable turning at speed. of course you're going to tear up seals and it's probably not too good for the spider gears or the axles. I would truss it as is if you're strictly racing it.

If you're putting street miles on it though yeah swap it out.

 

[Loose_Nuts_Enterprises]

Those races look like a lot of fun!!

 

[loki_racer]

Got a new-to-me D30 and 8.25 29 spline on the way. Ordered a Iron Rock D30 truss today. Also got some 760x shafts, new-to-me.

My question now is, with the D30 trussed, will I be ok with load rated D tires?

Anyone have photos of the Iron Rock truss mounted?

 

[XJRunner]

Heres how I did mine. Much cheaper then the Iron Rock Truss

 

[GrimmJeeper]

Mine gets the job done

 

[XJRunner]

I'll trade you!

 

[GrimmJeeper]

not unless you have one built the same way with 4.88s in it

 

[kastein]

Grimm, I'm digging the lack of coil buckets... gotta love coilovers/airshocks eh?

Actually makes me wonder a little why you didn't truss the top instead (or as well), seeing as you don't have to worry about the coil buckets anymore, you would gain just as much strength as well as clearance just in case you wanted to do some crawling.