Suspension or shafts?

[crtbc]

98 tj - RE 4.5" SHORT ARM - D44/Ford9" - 35 MT/R's

Heres my problem...
I run AZ trails 3-4.5 in rating out of 5.5 every 3rd time I go out it seems like now I am breaking axle shafts. I was planning on going to chromoly shafts to eleviate the problem but then I was informed of another issue that might be contributing to my dilemma nad possible break my cromo's too

When I walk up to a rock, my suspension due to the short arms flexes down AND ALSO BACKWARDS so that when my heep starts to go over it has to fight its way to original position AND THEN up the rock so essentially the axle shafts are pulling double duty....

Now my question is this
Since I really do have l;imited funds is it better to get a long arm kit and switch to that.. or should I just get the cromos and that would solve everything? I'm basically wondering if the long arms would help so much that I would be able to run stock shafts without breaking them

Thanx for your time
Sincerly
Dumb Newbie

[jeepin494]

Get the shafts, Your suspension will follow the same route no matter if it is long armed or not. Just my 2 cents.

[xgeekstarx]

you might be able to get the RE drop brackets and alleviate some of the control arm angle.

[ipkyss]

I know exactly what you are talking about. I had the same problem, only on an XJ. Definatly go longarm. It will be the best upgrade you can do. I have ripped mounts off the frame from the added stress when that happends. I am now 3" higher with longarms and never have the problem.

[rockstar]

shafts...

[UglyZJ]

Get the shafts, Your suspension will follow the same route no matter if it is long armed or not. Just my 2 cents.


um..not exactly. The problem you are having is your control arms being to short, and the arc that the suspension travels in is not where it should be. You are going to keep breaking those axles (Im guessing d30/d35) no matter what, if you get new shafts, then it will be something else. I would suggest doing longarms and then saving for some real axles, putting money into the combo you have now is pointless

[bulfrog3]

um..not exactly. The problem you are having is your control arms being to short, and the arc that the suspension travels in is not where it should be. You are going to keep breaking those axles (Im guessing d30/d35) no matter what, if you get new shafts, then it will be something else. I would suggest doing longarms and then saving for some real axles, putting money into the combo you have now is pointless

98 tj - RE 4.5" SHORT ARM - D44/Ford9" - 35 MT/R's




He has the axles

[UglyZJ]

oh,well didnt see that...i still stand by my statement about the long arms.

[mugreentj]

4.5 inches of lift is a lot on short arms. If you went with 3.5s and compensate with a 1"BL you might be better off.

[bhenry]

Before you spend alot of $ try redrilling your lower control arm mounts to alleviate some of the angle. Obviously you will move the holes down on the upper mount, and up on the lower mount. I haven't measured it, but I believe you can move the upper down app. 1 inch, and lower up app. 1.5 inches. Just be sure to leave enough material in the upper mount to retain strength. Btw cromo shafts rock.

[crtbc]

yes DANA 44 FRONT... FORD 9" REAR...

I'm still getting mixed results here :shaking:

I have 4.5" springs 1" body 1"motor mount

can I get a general concensus before I decide to just say phucket and cut everything off and make my own 3 link out of 2 inch square tube and JJ's which would be alot more work for me right now and would rather not do unless I have to

[XJ_ranger]

un-balanced suspention and wheels getting bound is what kills shafts...

fix that and buy some more spicers...




I am asuming from your description that you are blowing the front shafts - not the 31spline 9" shafts...

[ipkyss]

Buying shafts might cover up the problem but, it will not solve the problem.

[00pumpkin]

i know what you mean, i use to have a short arm setup like that too.............i would fix that and go long arms, totally changes everything, especially if your running the 4.5" coils with short arms........with 35's though i cant believe your busting that many 44 shafts...........

[arizona98tj]

98 tj - RE 4.5" SHORT ARM - D44/Ford9" - 35 MT/R's

I run AZ trails 3-4.5 in rating
Which trails are you doing where you are blowing out a shaft?

It sucks when you come up to a ledge, your front tire drops a bit as it goes into a hole....you watch your suspension flex and move the tire towards the rear of the vehicle.....then as you continue to move forward, the tire has to move to the rear while trying to climb. Been there, done that with a 6" lift and short arms. While I was not loosing front shafts, I sure as heck enjoyed the conversion to LAs.

[twistedtj]

Putting in the long arm kit was one of the best mods I did. I too have the 4.5" RE, 1" body and MM lift. Do the long arm kit. I HAD to do the LA with my 4.5" RE Kit. It was more like a 6" lift. The ride and off road capabilities sucked with the short arms. Once I did the LA it was a totally different ride on and offroad.
I drove my Jeep with D30 and D35 with 35" tires and finally broke a rear shaft after 2 years when the Jeep was sideways and pinned up against a wall, then went 8.8 never broke, then went to D44 front and now a 9" rear and 38's.

[35xj]

weld a small hoop onto your axle, attach winch cable to it, tighten cable when going up onto big obstacles.

[TwistedTJTank]

Long arms did mine a world of good. You can make your own for not a lot of $$$.

[crtbc]

weld a small hoop onto your axle, attach winch cable to it, tighten cable when going up onto big obstacles.

Thats kinda what I was thinking for a quick fix... I will prolly get long arms when the money comes in but right now im kinda livin paycheck to paycheck

Which trails are you doing where you are blowing out a shaft?

I broke my driver stub on Landslide in the white tanks and I broke my pass. inner on Highway to hell :grinpimp:

[under_psi]

i would personally get the shafts....seems like you wheel pretty hard...that should help ease your mind a little while on the trail, then go LA....