After my first run my jeep worked good, for the most part. As the days turned into weeks and the jeep sat in the garage, I was always thinking of little things that had to be done to it to get it ready again. Well last week a idea that was at the back of my brain stepped forward, and slapped me. I know I have a suspension, but do I have a suspension that works? The answer was a no. I took off my swaybar already and that proved to work quite well, but it was the rear I was worried about, the shocks bottomed and topped out and the suspension in the rear was just sloppy. I had seen write-ups on 3/4 elliptical rear suspensions for YJ's and decided that's what I want and so off I went the shed to add a top-secret weapon the stealth.
I started by gathering all the parts I needed, which isn't too much. I had a extra CJ-7 for parts so I took the springs and U-bolt plates off it. I already had the springs taken apart so that part was done; just get the main leaf out of it. Now I had to make some U-bolts that would go over my frame so I bought some threaded rod (1/2 course thread) and some smaller threaded rod to act as centring bolts. I bought some grinding disks and that's it!
First jack up the rear of the jeep and support it by the frame, pop the tires off the rear. Then put a jack under the diff. and unbolt the shackles at the top (you may have to loosen the bottom bolts to make it easier) then let the jack don't along with the springs and so on.
After I got situated I cut the springs, I was going on the wrangler specs but if you wanted to you could probably make the springs longer to get more flex, but trust me I don't think you really want to! From the center hole measure 5" toward the big bushing and cut there, I used a angle grinder and it worked fine and didn't take long. Then measure in from the cut end 3" and mark on center. This is where you drill your hole for the new center bolt. I used titanium drill bits and started with a small one for a pilot hole, it cut through like butter, although the bigger one didn't do so well, so I hollowed out as much as I could with the small bit and then used a small round file to file the hole big enough. You may think this will take long but it wasn't too bad, just try drilling though with the 5/16 bit, now that's slow!
Now you need u-bolts either get them custom made or do what I did and make your own, hey I can't help it I'm cheap! Just get your measurements and bend the rod in a vice, I went about 5 1/2" down the side of the frame (give or take) and 3" across the top of the frame. After I made my U-bolts I mocked everything up and checked it out, while everything was up in place I marked the hole I would have to drill for my center bolt. I used threaded rod and drilled through the frame and used two nuts on either end to make a secure center bolt. But make sure that everything is lined up properly before drilling your center bolt hole, you don't want your axle off center or dog legging down the road.
Once your holes are drilled you can put everything up in place and tighten your U-bolts and cut off any extra length on them, line up your center bolt at the same time and tighten it up. Then you can put your bolt though your shackles again. I took off my rear shocks for now just because they limited my flex and weren't the best anyways, I have ranchos I'm going to put on anyways. I also, took the bolt out of where your rear flex hose meats the frame so that the flex hose wasn't killing itself. I'll pick up a extended brake line this week. Once all this is done.............Call your Dad, Mom, all your jeepin buddies (mine happened to be around!) and find whatever you can to flex on! |
