Longer wheelbase out of my YJ (Centerpin re-drilling) ??

[RoCkSkuLLz]

Im planning on extending the wheelbase on YJ about 3 or so inches. How much can I get away with by simply re-drilling the centerpin location? If I moved the centerpin back 3" would that cause to much stress on the leaf pack?? Im running a spring over setup with 2.5" lifted RE extreme duty leaf packs. If anyone has pictures of there similiar setups that would be very helpfull. Thanks!

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[ 08-27-2001: Message edited by: Rockbuggy ]

[stf0412]

have fun drilling spring steel!!

[Monkeyboy]

Redrill the centerpin hole on the spring perches and redrill the centerpin holes on the springs.

Use a high quality cobalt drill bit plenty of cutting oil and a lowerRPM on the drill press.

I bought two drill bits and a drill doctor for the deed.

[H8monday]

No kidding, drilling spring steel is a bitch, better buy a case of 3/8 drill bits and a quart of cutting oil.
The easiest way to do it is to run Grand Waggoneer front springs on the rear of your YJ. Run them with the long side to the front, and they add about 2 1/2" of WB. The rear diff should just clear the gas tank, on a YJ. Rancho makes a 6 leaf pack for the grand waggy front, that many people use for YJ/CJ SOA at the rear.
I run the same set up, but with an 8 leaf pack that I garage engineered from many old springs. It works well, but Id like to get a set of military wrapped springs one of these days.

[1BDYJ]

Whats the OAL of those waggy springs????
I thought of relocating my rear hangars to under the bumper in the rear, might hinder my departure angle though?..Than I could use a longer spring.

[RoCkSkuLLz]

Will National or Alcan springs make me some custom springs with the centerpin set back about 3 or so inches further back??

[Blatant]

Great discussion. I've been looking for some inexpensive ways to move my rear axle back a couple inches.

H8: Thanks for the tip. I may try the Waggy spring idea.
Dion

[The Rockslut]

I have front waggy springs all the way around on my YJ with MORE shakle reversal. My wheel base is now 100" The rear went back 2" and the front 4"

[RoCkSkuLLz]

Hey Rockslut do you have any pictures of your Waggy springed YJ. It appears I might need to be nursed through this one. I do better when I see pictures.

BTW: Did you have to relocate the gas tank or is there enough room. Thanks!

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[The Rockslut]

The gas tank is in the stock location. <IMG width=518 height=389 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/Dsc00044.jpg">

[RoCkSkuLLz]

That looks really good. I dig the custom front fenders. The reason I really want to bring the rear springs back is becuase I planning on running Avalanche competition style rear crusher corners and I want the rear tire centered in the new fender well maybe a little bit back. I especially like the last picture. I wouldnt mind getting my rear axle back that far!





[ 08-28-2001: Message edited by: Rockbuggy ]

[Monkeyboy]

Heres a pic of my front end.

I did a shackle reversal and I used rear XJ springs With the centerpins in the stock location.

Heres the rear I used XJ springs hear as well but redrilled the centerpins.

[Leader]

If you use the waggy front leaves for all four corners, look for the hd 7 leafs...Maybe 8, I cant recall at the moment BUT DONT REMOVE THE CLAMPS!!! The main leaf will bend every time, Least in my case it has..I bent another one this weekend, but I didnt mess with the clamps on this set and they've lasted for quite a while...D60 pulling down on them is a little too much I guess..

[alancaster]

Redrill the centerpin hole on the spring perches and redrill the centerpin holes on the springs.

Rocktoad

why drill the perch? And if on a front axle which way of the existing hole do you drill the new one? forword or backward?

Do waggy springs and XJ springs already have offsets?

I am running a shorty five so these springs may be to long. I see you guys are doing this setup to YJs and CJ-7s but has anyone done this with an older 5???

I am thickheaded I know but I am contemplating this exact same thing also. http://www.pirate4x4.com/cgi-bin/ubb...c&f=4&t=005622 I did not get much response on my thread.

[Monkeyboy]

I only mentioned the redrilling of the spring perches because I have seen some aftermarket perches with multiple holes to move the axle forward and backwards.

With this used in conjunction with the redrilled springs you can fine tune the position of the axle.

I haven't redrilled the perches yet but I might later if I use shorter shackles which would change the axle position a little bit.

[m715]

I've been thinking along these lines also...
Has anyone run a comanche spring pack? I was thinking about running that in the rear with the spring mount under the back bumper.
or Anyone run F150 springs? Do they flex?

Here's a couple of dimensions
F150 - 57" 25/32 offset (front/rear)
Comanche - 57" 26/31

What are the XJ springs? 56" 25/31?

[YJ4RoX]

Hey Rockslut.. do you have a website or write up on your Jeep?
Did the SRS and waggy springs cause any problems with your drag link? I know its a stupid question but please humor me.
I have been thinking about doing the same thing and have been concerned about the pitman arm and drank link issue.
I assume you did an entire new steering setup when you swapped axles. Oh yeah

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[Honkylips]

Hey Rockslut, i'd like to hear some more details too. Other than the waggy springs, the shackle reversal, and new driveshafts, what all had to be changed/fabricated? What axles you running? My 8.8 rear with a granatelli cover rubs as is in the stock location. Lastly, how big a body lift you have? That thing looks pretty dang tall for just sprung over, unless the waggy springs give you a bunch of lift. Anyway, I need details man, details! <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/smokin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/blender.gif" border="0">

[Jeepskate]

I've had good success (thanx to a tip from DRM) re-drilling using a small drill press, oil, and masonry bits. I bought two bits and only ruined/broke one of them...they go through spring steel like butter. I've got Comanche springs on the back with the bottom leaf from Cherokee packs added on in place of the overload spring...the spring hangers and shackle hangers are relocated to accomodate the length (about 57"). Up front I currently have Cherokee packs (51.5")with the bottom leaf removed and replaced with the bottom two leaves from YJ rear packs...the main & second leaves are re-drilled and the remaining stock leaf was just spun around to match up. I'm getting ready to replace the main with the main & second from a set of S-10 packs (53.5") for better suspension geometry. I have conversion shackle hangers up front and relocated the spring hangers near the front body tub mounts. All friction surfaces are coated with graphite paint, the ends are fitted with new teflon pads, and I had a spring shop install new clamps which I can leave open, or cut down to the size I need, redrill, and install bolts.

[The Rockslut]

Well I dont have a site so I'll try to answer any ??? here. 94 YJ 4.0/999/300 chevy full width 44 front 4:56gears and lockrite with the tie rod only above the spring with a 1" stepped arm. Rockstomper rods. MORE shakle reversal with buggy leaf and 7 leaf waggy springs. High Angle driveline long slip front driveshaft. Skid plate in stock location. Rear 86 F150 2wd 9" 4:56's and a spool. Rear driveline is 96 Cherokee front CV shaft cut down. Everything was a direct bolt on except for the shakle reversal. The body lift is 2" so that I could clock the 300 as much as possible without lowering the T-Case skid plate. The waggy springs I have are factory 7 leaf heavy duty. Not sure how to tell from the standard and heavy duty but they are about 1.5-2" lift. LEAVE the clamps on. These springs flex great and cutting to many clamps will buckle main leafs. I have since replace the rear springs with Rancho 44044 and they flex nice. My 9" comes no where near my skid plate. Probably due to overall height. Anything else? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[YJ4RoX]

thanks for the help slut....I wish all sluts(of the female variety though) we as accomodating <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[The Rockslut]

Well, I try to do all that I can. <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> Just here to help.

[Honkylips]

Thanks Rockslut. One last question, maybe a dumb one at that. So the rear spring/shackle mounts didn't have to be moved?? I'm trying to see how the rear axle gets moved back. I'm assuming it's just because the springs have the centerpin in a different spot, but I aint sure cuz i have a tendency to be a dummy at times. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

[The Rockslut]

Thats right Lips, just the center pin is off 2" Original spring mount with longer rear shakles. I put TJ rear flares on and trimmed the back of the tub approx 2" Similar to other photos of TJ flares on YJ's on this board.

[Honkylips]

Cool, thanks dude.