CoWj Build /I'm back
- Thread starter xwaz
- Start date
xwaz
Member
Working to get everything on the rear suspension. Dropped by a local shop to take pre measurements on flex on the rear. I'm going back Monday to test the new rear shocks. Speaking of new shocks I got then and the 1.5" spacers in soon after getting home (all yesterday) so it is now sitting level and with some super badass shocks in the back. The braided line does have play and does not appear to be stained in any way. Today I am focusing on the front end doing a bit of suspension work.
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xwaz
Member
I haven't yet gone for the test drive yet. I finished at 10:30 last night. These are adjustable so they can be as hard or soft as you want. I am going forbthe first test drive in a few minutes with the shocks on 4/8 and I will then slowly test and tune with different settings till I find the one that works.
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Hey now, that's looking pretty sweet! :thumb:
xwaz
Member
Thank you, I'm stopping by the same shop again to do a post lift/shock test later today.
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xwaz
Member
Stopped by the shop again. Previously I went 68.5" up, with the rear shocks replaced and a 1.5" spacer the Jeeps sitting perfectly and made it to 73" (from the center of the hub). It went from a height of 26" to 28.5" and the rear flex (bottom of center cap to fender) went from 26" to 28" so an improvement of 2". Overall I am extremely happy. I went and did some high-speed runs down washboarded roads (60mph) and it sat perfect and happy with 3/8 clicks of compression. They have offered a large improvement over the bilstein 5125s. Currently I still have 5125s on the front and they will stay for a while as they handle the winch and bumper weight quite well and provide a large amount of flex.
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WJCO
Meme King
Looks like you're running an ARB in the rear. How long have you had it? Also any issues with bent flanges on the axles? I'm dumping my Varilock in a week or two and putting an ARB in, so it requires the non-varilock shafts to fit it. I already have them sitting in the garage. I'm just curious, as my varilock shafts that are on the vehicle keep bending flanges and I'm not even that rough on it.
xwaz
Member
I put it in when I built the Jeep last June. I put in some shafts from rock auto, I can't remember if they were upgraded or not, but I haven't had any issues with bent flanges yet. That being said the Jeep doesn't rock crawl hardly ever, and I am of the mind set of be locked in 4lo before I need to and I wheel very carefully. I was impressed with the varilock when the Jeep was stock however the Arb was in the plan before I even picked up the Jeep. I have had an auto locker in a previous Zj project and just disliked how it drove on dirt roads and highways.
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WJCO
Meme King
I already have an ARB in the front and have the compressor. After the last bent flange on the RR, I waited over a month and found out the particular shaft I needed was on back order. So I decided to go with the non-varilok shafts and put an ARB in the rear and received the shafts quickly. I hope I don't have to deal with anymore bent shafts.
xwaz
Member
I believe due to the different length of the varilock vs stock shaft they tend not to bend as easily.
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xwaz
Member
Thank you, your Jeep is awesome as well. We had a pretty good day out there made it through the entire trail no issues. Even was able to do the option ledge at the beginning. I tried running counter clockwise but the big ledge was too much for the 32" tires. I gave it a few tries but in the end decided against it do to potential damage.
WJCO
Meme King
I've done that loop many times and only once in reverse. I tried the ledge with open diffs a few times with no luck. Turned on lockers and climbed right up. I think if you locked the rear, you'd have likely made it. Sure is nice to head up there in the middle of fricken January with no snow. We did three trails today and it was beautiful.
xwaz
Member
I had the rear locked. But its the darm transfer case drop. I just don't have the break over angle for it. Going to put a IRO high clearance unit in soon to gain that extra 3" of clearance I think I new for that.
WJCO
Meme King
I just looked that up. Looks great. If you don't mind, post some before and after pics. Would love to see the difference. I also have a tcase drop (1 inch). I've thought about changing it up as well just to gain some clearance. As long as it would work with my tcase skid. I also have a diy transmission skid that hooks to the OEM cross member, so I'd definitely have to modify that.
xwaz
Member
Yeh, I want to soon but with being at school in gunnison (back for the weekend) I don't have much time to do stuff like that so maybe March I can do it if not May. As I think I need to get both driveshafts rebuilt and lengthed and I don't have the time for that currently.
WJCO
Meme King
If you're around this summer, you should join some runs. We did a ton last summer.
As far as your driveshafts, what makes you think you have to lengthen them? I run a 4 inch lift and had no issues with the stock ones. When I swapped the front axle, I had to actually shorten the front one. This first pic is pretty much full droop on that same ledge. And another pic showing about the same on another trail. I've had no issues with the driveshafts.
xwaz
Member
I had my rear one shorten. When I did my 247-242 swap (shorted 2"), and I think moving the t case up another 3" I think it might be a good option, or even do a SYE and a double Cardenas rear to match the front. However I guess its possible to change the crossmember and then go from there on the length. Most importantly I need to install my limiting straps asap, I almost lost a coil on multiple occasions today.
xwaz
Member
https://youtu.be/wseJXwRZbsk I had a video taken of the first ledge and you can hear the coil drop but luckily it didn't fall out completely.