What is everyones general conception of the wheelbase issue? How long, How short? Doing a SOA on a 73 CJ-5 and planning on extending the wheelbase and running 36-39.5" tires. We are kicking the front axle 2" forward and lenghtening the the rear via a 12" or so frame patch right under the seats. We will also be extending the tub to match! Total we will have about a 99" wheelbase! Any opinions! The frame is boxed back to the frame patch so it will be a weekend project after we determine the right wheelbase. Main wheeling is in the Black Hills of S.D. Big rocks and mainly creekbed trails. Hope to have it done for the Dakota Challenge in Sept.

99" will be good for that- not so short that it is unstable but not so long that you wont be able to get it around some trees and rocks. i love the 100" on my Range Rover for forest stuff, and if it were all out rock crawling id look at around 105". but for where you are and the wheeling you do, IMO 99" is great! :D

~100-105" is nice.

SIGNATURE SAYS IT ALL. i think 108 maybe a little long if your used to a stock wheelbase rig. depend on how vertical or how tight the trails are.:beer:

112 :smokin: :usa: :flipoff2:

I personally like a litle shorter the most for rock crawling, but still pretty long at 100". That would be asuming at least 37" tires. IF tires are 37 or smaller I would like even shorter to help avoid high centering, I also am a big fan of tight turning.

Keep the ideas rolling and thanks for not Flaming this 6 month newbie!!! Driveline angles should be O.K. stretching it out like this don't ya think? He doesn't have a SYE eliminator yet and I don't think he will????????????:beer: :beer: :beer:

im only at 96" now but im going to atleast 103~ maybe a little longer we'll see when I get started on the project.

well you need to decide if you are going to run the 36's or the 39's. tire size plays a big roll in what works best. 36's i'd say 100" 39.5's got to around 105". just my op.:D

Hey HIGH5 do ya got any pictures you could post or send of your rig? I am curious as to how this will look when we are done!!!:beer:

Originally posted by MillerMan
Hey HIGH5 do ya got any pictures you could post or send of your rig? I am curious as to how this will look when we are done!!!:beer:

if you wheel hard and want my advice don't do it. if i had it to do over i would have cut the rear fenders out and slid the rearend back to achieve my wheelbase. i cut my jeep in half and lengthened it and then i rolled it a year later. it is beat up now and i can's just go get another body to throw on it. the other way is easy. just my op. i finally got my pig semi going again (stil need exhaust and a few other mods) and i will be going over to a buddys back yard this sunday. i will be playing around some so i'll try and get some picks and post them.brian

high 5s looks just about like a cj 6 on steriods

I went from 106" to 108.5" and will see it I did right or not. I was running 35's but will now run 38's. I have a heavy rig though and longer wheelbase seems to help keep it from wanting to hop on double ledges

I was at 93ish and was drooling at the climbs the LWB rigs could do that I couldn't. I am now at 107. Cutting the rear fenders out and just moving the axle back is cool cuz it gives you a killer departure angle and keeps the weight bias up front where it needs to be.

104.9" I'm only running 35's but I'd wished for a little shorter wheelbase sometimes, you run 38's you'll be fin, 100" 36's should be fine. I'm not lifted that high, just 5" that's really my high center problem. I'd go with the 38's and 102"
-Nate

I agree with High5 I would cut the tub and lengthen the wheelbase.Like he said if you roll it or wreck it and the body is trash them it is harder to get a new one for it.Plus by lengthening the frame and body you will keep the same departure angles.I would move the spring mounts back and gain wheelbase this way.It is a 5 so you could move the rear spring front mount 4" then move the shackle hanger 3" and add a longer shackle and gain articulation.Add the move axle relocator block and add 1" more.This would get you to 91"s.If you want more go with a coil setup in the rear and shove the axle way back.My buddies 5 s at 100".We put a 1/4 elip. in the rear and moved the front out 3".Works great,Its does high center easier now though.But the rear tires are behind the bumper.So the departure angle is over 90*.My Blazer is at 106.5 and I want to shorten it.Always get the rockers on stuff.I am running 36"ers and my buddie has 38"s.Just my thoughts.Blazin:rasta: