So I got this new idea in my head, tell me if I'm missing anything.

I successfully mod'd my OE motor mounts to raise them 1.5" this past weekend. Now, due to another project, I'm looking at adding a 1" "shift" to them. In effect, I want to move the entire engine/trans/T-case 1" forward.

I have 2" of clearance between the fan clutch and radiator currently so even with a 1" shift, I will still have 1" of clearance. I know that ideally, the mechanical fan is supposed to be half in the shroud and half out. I can just cut the shroud down by 1" to keep that relationship intact.

My AX15's shifter *might* hit the dash, but I can take care of that with some careful heating and bending of the shifter.

I already have to completely redo the shifter for the 231 case, so that's a moot point. I'm also redoing the transmission mount/x-member so that is a moot point as well. The exhaust is also getting completely reworked so again ... moot point.

The way I see it, I'll lose a horizontal inch on the front d-shaft (no big deal) but gain a horizontal inch on the rear d-shaft (a plus on a TJ). I will also gain much needed clerance between the bellhousing and the trans tunnel which I need for an upcoming project.

Is there anything I'm missing here or does this sound viable, aside from fabbing up the engine mounts which won't be a problem at all.

cmk

Sounds like alot of work for minimal benefit to me.. Also, I don't know if I'd be comfortable with only 1" of clearance between the radiator and the fan. Unless you went with some slim electics, and ditch the factory fan.

i agree with Welby (damn! did I just type that!) but it does sound do-able...hell, we all do things that are really too much work for the results...so go for it:smokin:

I already have to do all the mods to the 231 linkage, exhaust, and x-member anyways. Aside from fabbing up the new mounts, the only other potential "work" I can see is bending the shifter.

The new mounts would be made just like my other ones (if you saw that thread). I would just use 1.5"x4" box tube and weld/bolt the OE rubber mount offset 1" to one side of the box. It wouldn't be any more work than the first set of raised mounts I fabbed up (about 2 hours of work).

My #1 reason for proposing this is that when I jack up my tranny to it proposed new position (flat skid), the bellhousing is hitting the trans tunnel right where it meets the firewall. If I can shift everything forward by even an inch, the bell shape of the ... (dramatic pause) ... bellhousing should clear the body work and alleviate me from having to chop up the body right under where the ACM (airbag control module) is bolted. And again, even an extra inch added to the rear driveline is a big deal on a TJ.

cmk

Oh, and in regards to mechanical fans versus low profile electric setups; I thought the concensus was that mechanical fans are preferable to electrics for off road duty. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

cmk

On the mechanical vs electric fan deal... Personally I just don't trust aftermerket electric fans. I don't know what it is about them, but with cheap blades and small motors they don't seem reliable enough to be miles away from civilization with. I don't think an inch vs two inches is going to matter to your rad. If the fan is moving an inch forward... something is seriously wrong and you can bet you @$$ it's going to keep coming forward more then 2" :D

I don't know how much you feel like spending, but B&M's shifter for the AX-15 has a shorter throw. Since you have a few inches between 5th and the dash I think you knuckles are more in danger then the knob. The B&M may give you enough room... But I would try and bend yours first. A heck of a lot cheaper and if you mess up, ax15's are plentiful... I bet their shifters are too :)

Sounds like a good plan to me, if your fixing everything that is a problem (exhuast, 4x4linkage, etc) why not? An 1" gain of rear driveline in a SWB is like gold. Good luck.