This vehicle is a semi-daily driver, meaning I have an FZJ80 that I drive most days, but I still drive this MJ to work once or twice a week when it's running. It has to remain streetable to an extent so I can drive it across the country to trails if desired.
Current Project: Shorten the bed, improve the departure angle, and shorten the wheelbase. Current wheelbase is 113", I prefer closer to the 101" that my XJ was when I had it.
Problem 1: My 57" long MJ springs hang out too far behind the rear wheels and don't fit my design goals.
Problem 2: I'd prefer to keep the gas tank underneath if possible to increase bed space, but will consider moving it to the bed.
Options:
1. 47" stock YJ rear leaf springs. Pros: Easy to setup, doesn't interfere with the gas tank even though the axle itself might. Cons: possible lack of articulation, rough ride. Any comments on long vs short leaf springs?
2. Radius arm rear coil suspension with panhard rod. I've read some that say these are OK, some that say these don't handle well. Pros: easy to setup, should ride good, doesn't interfere with exhaust or gas tank. Cons: off-road characteristics?
3. Parallel 4-link with panhard. Pros: better handling off-road than radius arms? stays clear of gas tank & exhaust
4. Double triangulated 4-link. Pros: best handling of all the options if setup correctly. Cons: Most difficult to setup, takes up all the room where the gas tank and exhaust would go. Where do most people route the exhaust when running a triangulated 4-link? From looking at it, I'd have to dump it under the bed, route it under the frame rail out the side, or drill a hole in the frame and route it out the side through that hole.
I will be cutting the frame rails right behind the crossmember.
I've just had all these options going through my head for a while now and would love to hear from you guys of any experience you have with this stuff.
Future projects: Install recentered H1 beadlocks, military 37" tires, and '79 F150 HP D44 front axle that I have already shortened to waggy width.
Current Project: Shorten the bed, improve the departure angle, and shorten the wheelbase. Current wheelbase is 113", I prefer closer to the 101" that my XJ was when I had it.
Problem 1: My 57" long MJ springs hang out too far behind the rear wheels and don't fit my design goals.
Problem 2: I'd prefer to keep the gas tank underneath if possible to increase bed space, but will consider moving it to the bed.
Options:
1. 47" stock YJ rear leaf springs. Pros: Easy to setup, doesn't interfere with the gas tank even though the axle itself might. Cons: possible lack of articulation, rough ride. Any comments on long vs short leaf springs?
2. Radius arm rear coil suspension with panhard rod. I've read some that say these are OK, some that say these don't handle well. Pros: easy to setup, should ride good, doesn't interfere with exhaust or gas tank. Cons: off-road characteristics?
3. Parallel 4-link with panhard. Pros: better handling off-road than radius arms? stays clear of gas tank & exhaust
4. Double triangulated 4-link. Pros: best handling of all the options if setup correctly. Cons: Most difficult to setup, takes up all the room where the gas tank and exhaust would go. Where do most people route the exhaust when running a triangulated 4-link? From looking at it, I'd have to dump it under the bed, route it under the frame rail out the side, or drill a hole in the frame and route it out the side through that hole.
I will be cutting the frame rails right behind the crossmember.
I've just had all these options going through my head for a while now and would love to hear from you guys of any experience you have with this stuff.
Future projects: Install recentered H1 beadlocks, military 37" tires, and '79 F150 HP D44 front axle that I have already shortened to waggy width.