Hey, just checkn to see how the leaf sprung conversions were working?

Updates?


Who done it?

I saw Ryan's (the latest leaf spring conversion to this board) at Rosser last weekend, and it seemed to do really well.

COME AWN! Gettn ready to GET mine!


i want some detailed pics and specs!

:flipoff2:

billavista HAD one... check his website for details

Originally posted by Mo
billavista HAD one... check his website for details

Yup, Bill sold out and got a Wolf.:flipoff2:

Click (http://www.rightcoastcrawler.com/billaVista/Leafspring_conversion/leafs.htm)

screw leaf springs, coil it you won't be sorry on the flex.

Mine worked great for the little time i got to wheel it, flexed good too, but now am having engine problems so gotta get that fixed before i can go wheelin again dangit. you can see pics at my webshots
http://community.webshots.com/user/jeepxjga

later

Are you fellas using production springs or are they custom?

Originally posted by SMART ASS
Hey, just checkn to see how the leaf sprung conversions were working?

Updates?


Who done it?

Unless you are going bigger than 8" and 37-38s, leaf springs are a lot of work with little payoff. the unibody isn't very strong to weld on the hangers. The spring perchs on a D30 then to flex the axle tubes and inner knuckles (c's) with all the axle wrap. A 4 link (5 really) is a lot better way to go.

But don't let me talk you out of it. The cool thing about wheeling is that people frequently fab stuff the makes me go "wow, that's cool" Be different but do your research and make sure that what you design will work.

There were a few folks that went to rear coils for the XJ and this wasn't that successful. XJs are nearly perfectly balanced with coils/leafs. My suspension seems to work pretty well.

SeanP

GOOD response :beer:

The only real reason i dont exactly want to go coil is becaus
#1 LACK OF FUNDS$$$

I have 4" yj springs sitting on the floor of my garage which i plan on using up front, for a very quick fix i will run shackle up front...

then will probably convert to shacle reverse

I already have a d30 out of an 87 YJ leaf sprung ;)

So, yank the ol coil stuff then install the new leaf springs and go ;)

It will be a learning experince...



Originally posted by SeanP


Unless you are going bigger than 8" and 37-38s, leaf springs are a lot of work with little payoff. the unibody isn't very strong to weld on the hangers. The spring perchs on a D30 then to flex the axle tubes and inner knuckles (c's) with all the axle wrap. A 4 link (5 really) is a lot better way to go.

But don't let me talk you out of it. The cool thing about wheeling is that people frequently fab stuff the makes me go "wow, that's cool" Be different but do your research and make sure that what you design will work.

There were a few folks that went to rear coils for the XJ and this wasn't that successful. XJs are nearly perfectly balanced with coils/leafs. My suspension seems to work pretty well.

SeanP

Spend some time looking at the unibody up near the front. My advice to you would be to sleeve the whole thing in 3/16s plate all the way to behind the trackbar mount. This will take some aligning of the sway bar bushing holes/steering box holes/track bar holes, but the added strength for your spring hangers and steering box will be well worth it. Also, it seems that having a brace/subframe/cradle connecting the frame at about the point that the track bar mounts will help you a lot. Some folks are bending a tube under the oil pan to do this. Added together with a stout bumper will help out the front end stiffness. Your approach angle will suffer a bit with the shackles up front, but you probably knew that.

We have a group of built XJs that meet first thursday every month at 6:30 at the roundtable on Keifer (off Watt). Feel free to stop by and introduce yourself. We are always looking for new folks to heckle, umm help ;)

SeanP

Check out my reply on the earlier session. When I did it to mine I bulit a stout crossmember out of angle iron that bolted/welded on the front behind the bumper. It was made out of 1/4". M.O.R.E shackle reversal YJ spring hangers welded to the ends and a crossmember welded to those (across the width) for support. You can still run the stock bumper with this set up if budget says or I went with an ARB. I say do it right the first time and do the shacke reversal. you are allready torn down may as well do it right. I run a 350/700r4 dana 300 with 4:1 Leafs up front of course and I still haven't messed up my frame. Spend the time putting it together right and you will not have to spend the time boxing your unibody. All that welding will only make it weaker.

Your from logan hu? I used to live there. My brother still does. You must know Nate and John. What color is your XJ?

Black, 2DR., Full width axles with 35"K/TM and TJ flares.

By the way nice job on your exo. Your XJ looks good. not many that I can say that about.

Thanks