cstishenko
New member
Hi All, New to the board - first post!
I've searched, and still have some questions.
Background:
The wife and I each have a JK. Mine is a 14' Willys Wheeler, 6mt, 3.73's, tow package. Hers is a 14' Rubicon, 5AT, 4.10's.
I'm in the commercial transport industry, with a mechanical background and motorcycle certified.. I'm handy.
At time of delivery, both received 1.5" hub centric spacers, 3/4" Daystar front poly puck and 285/70/17 (32.8") GY Duratracs.
We choose the Duratrac for their superb ice and compact snow traction in an all terrain tire.
Driveability was great, and we put 8,000 km on these setups each with no drivability issues. Tire pressure was always factory recommended at 37 psi. We obviously air WAY down when off road, the 37 psi was purely for highway MPG.
I wanted a bit of a lift on my Willys, as I was tired of dragging belly.
I went up to 2" poly spacers in the front, and moved the 3/4 spacer to the rear.
I added a Rubicon sway bar disconnect, with an EVO mfg hand control.
Made brake line drop brackets, bought a set of rear sway bar end links for the front, added Rancho 7000mt shocks - which are awesome by the way.
NO alignment (nothing can be done), centred the wheel by the drag link.
Still running stock wheels.
Drove it this way for another 4,000 km. Still excellent. Smooth, great highway manners, and lots of flex off road now compared to stock. Still 37 psi.
We don't wheel hard, mostly highway, FSR and the odd light trail drive which requires the disconnects.
Our issues:
Our city is Jeep crazy, there will be 4 JK's on one block at any time. It's wild really.
Decided this spring that we wanted to jump to 35's on both Jeeps. For the visual aspect, but also for the off road capability.
Started with Rough Country stubby end caps, I trimmed my flares, she wanted Bushwackers.
Trimmed rock rails, Smittybilt rear HD Tire carrier on both.
At this time we decided to give hers the same lift as mine, as it is super comfortable and retains OE components being that they are so new.
2" poly spacer up front, 3/4 in the rear. Rancho 7000mt shocks. Brake line drops, etc. Everything needed to work well.
Had 315/70/17 (34.4") Duratracs installed on my Willys, and her Rubicon.
We continued with stock wheels, as we both love the look.
I run 34 psi. Smooth. Straight. Only pulls slightly in DEEP ruts under braking coming up to a stop light.
In hers, we tried 34 psi… It's everywhere at highway speed. On a 40 minute highway drive, i'm so tired from steering!!!
Tried lower PSI, it was no better.
Came up to 37 psi and it actually got better.
Checked our toe, and it's around 1/16th in.
I've checked all fasteners, everything is tight.
Both Jeeps are set up identically suspension wise.
We're confused, and she does not want to drive it.
Won't drive my Manual Willys.
It ONLY does it at highway speed…..
As stupid as it sounds, I am actually thinking the BW flares messed up something with the aerodynamics - making it super flighty/wandering/tramlining.
Thoughts????
Steering box? Worn balljoints? Tie rod ends? Everything feels like stock still - tight and new.
Thanks all.
Craig from Canada
I've searched, and still have some questions.
Background:
The wife and I each have a JK. Mine is a 14' Willys Wheeler, 6mt, 3.73's, tow package. Hers is a 14' Rubicon, 5AT, 4.10's.
I'm in the commercial transport industry, with a mechanical background and motorcycle certified.. I'm handy.
At time of delivery, both received 1.5" hub centric spacers, 3/4" Daystar front poly puck and 285/70/17 (32.8") GY Duratracs.
We choose the Duratrac for their superb ice and compact snow traction in an all terrain tire.
Driveability was great, and we put 8,000 km on these setups each with no drivability issues. Tire pressure was always factory recommended at 37 psi. We obviously air WAY down when off road, the 37 psi was purely for highway MPG.
I wanted a bit of a lift on my Willys, as I was tired of dragging belly.
I went up to 2" poly spacers in the front, and moved the 3/4 spacer to the rear.
I added a Rubicon sway bar disconnect, with an EVO mfg hand control.
Made brake line drop brackets, bought a set of rear sway bar end links for the front, added Rancho 7000mt shocks - which are awesome by the way.
NO alignment (nothing can be done), centred the wheel by the drag link.
Still running stock wheels.
Drove it this way for another 4,000 km. Still excellent. Smooth, great highway manners, and lots of flex off road now compared to stock. Still 37 psi.
We don't wheel hard, mostly highway, FSR and the odd light trail drive which requires the disconnects.
Our issues:
Our city is Jeep crazy, there will be 4 JK's on one block at any time. It's wild really.
Decided this spring that we wanted to jump to 35's on both Jeeps. For the visual aspect, but also for the off road capability.
Started with Rough Country stubby end caps, I trimmed my flares, she wanted Bushwackers.
Trimmed rock rails, Smittybilt rear HD Tire carrier on both.
At this time we decided to give hers the same lift as mine, as it is super comfortable and retains OE components being that they are so new.
2" poly spacer up front, 3/4 in the rear. Rancho 7000mt shocks. Brake line drops, etc. Everything needed to work well.
Had 315/70/17 (34.4") Duratracs installed on my Willys, and her Rubicon.
We continued with stock wheels, as we both love the look.
I run 34 psi. Smooth. Straight. Only pulls slightly in DEEP ruts under braking coming up to a stop light.
In hers, we tried 34 psi… It's everywhere at highway speed. On a 40 minute highway drive, i'm so tired from steering!!!
Tried lower PSI, it was no better.
Came up to 37 psi and it actually got better.
Checked our toe, and it's around 1/16th in.
I've checked all fasteners, everything is tight.
Both Jeeps are set up identically suspension wise.
We're confused, and she does not want to drive it.
Won't drive my Manual Willys.
It ONLY does it at highway speed…..
As stupid as it sounds, I am actually thinking the BW flares messed up something with the aerodynamics - making it super flighty/wandering/tramlining.
Thoughts????
Steering box? Worn balljoints? Tie rod ends? Everything feels like stock still - tight and new.
Thanks all.
Craig from Canada