Extending the YJ wheel base

[H8monday]

I have already moved the front forward about 5" using custom shackle reverse hangers, and waggy springs, and moved the rear back a couple inches also using Waggy springs. My current WB was at about 99", but I wanted to take it to 102" or more. Since I was getting ready to swap a 14 bolt in place of the 8.8 at the rear anyway, I figured now would be the time, since I would need a new driveline anyway.
I extended the rear shackle hanger by inserting a 2" x 1/4" square tubing inside the frame rails, and florette welding(I think thats the terminology) them along both sides. I full pen welded 1/4" plate to the sides, used 1 1/2" id schedule 80 pipe for the bushings, and wrapped the whole thing with 1/4"x2" flat stock running down the frame rails top and bottom, for a about 4".

The rear I used 1/4" plate, and full pen welded both sides to the frame rails and to the existing spring mount. I then reinforced the bottom with 1/4" plate so that it is strong enough to be dragged across without damage.

I raised the gas tank, using an existing cross memeber I had fabbed a few years ago for the cantilevered shocks, as the mountin point for new brackets at the front, the rear required a new bracket to be built. The tank has been raised about 6" maybe a bit more.

the rear bumper is 3/16" 2x4 and has been incorporated into the frame rails to be used as the new cross member, it was an old Tomken bumpre, that had the receiver hitch so i left it on. The ends are made from 1/4" plate inserted into the sides and the end peices, fully welded then ground smooth(pretty fancy huh )

The rear body mounts were in the way of finishing the welds and cleaning everything up, so I removed them and moved them inboard of the frame rails, and added some 1/4" steel plate at the bottom of the tub to reinforce.This pic is looking down from the passenger side rear corner.

The rear body panels had to be cut away, and the shocks relocated but my camera went dead and I cant find the charger, so that will have to be photo'd later. I have only tested with the 8.8, the 14 bolt will swap tonight, if my wheels arrive.
Overall wb now 105"

[RockReadyXJ]

Looks killer man, what are you doing about steering? You'll have to move the box right?

[wild1]

Looks good so far. What are you doing with the rear floor. I t looks like you cut it out to move the tank up. I have streched the front 4" on my yj but havent thought of a good way to do the back yet because of the tank. I still use the rear for gear and the dog so I am intersested in seeing more pictures.

[H8monday]

Originally posted by RockReadyXJ
Looks killer man, what are you doing about steering? You'll have to move the box right?

The steering isnt too bad. I had to use a very straight pitman arm, but with the shackle reverse, the axle moves rearward on compression, and does not bind under situation, it had more bump steer than I like due to the steep drag link angle, but the ram takes almost all bump steer out of the system.
[IMG]//bbs.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/53-588955-MVC-017SRam2.JPG[/IMG]
I do plan on relocating the steering box, but it will have to be after the competition this weekend.

[H8monday]

Originally posted by wild1
Looks good so far. What are you doing with the rear floor. I t looks like you cut it out to move the tank up. I have streched the front 4" on my yj but havent thought of a good way to do the back yet because of the tank. I still use the rear for gear and the dog so I am intersested in seeing more pictures.

I plan to rebuild the floor. I will even reinstall the bracketry for the seats, so that my daughters can ride. I will lower the body, back down off of the lifts first, to get the center of gravity down, but 1st I need to cut away some of the tranny cover and firewall at bell housing, due to the V8. Right now though, Im enjoying the ultra light feel of the rig, with almost all extra sheet metal,cut away and no extra bracketry left on the rig, it feels great. It climbs like a cat, and has great ballance.

[skinny]

so are u gonna have to lose the rear fenderflares, and square off the back, ya know cut the tub all the way around, i hope so cause that is gonna look bad ass if u do

[Bgcj5]

Looks like u really know what you are doing. Looks Killer! I really like how beefy it looks. Nice work man

[SHERPA]

You've truly got the sickness.... And awesome execution to-boot!

looks nice.......I've seen waaaay to many farm-rigged operations
lately..... Your work stands out.....

Going to Calroc's?? I'd like to see that thing.....

--Sherpa

[High5]

looks killer h8!, i can't wait to see it after the 14bolt is in place! keep the pic's coming!!!!

[H8monday]

Originally posted by SHERPA RIG
You've truly got the sickness.... And awesome execution to-boot!

looks nice.......I've seen waaaay to many farm-rigged operations
lately..... Your work stands out.....

Going to Calroc's?? I'd like to see that thing.....

--Sherpa

Yup, Ill be at CalRocs, I think Im number #3. I think we'll do well, the rig is trimmed down to a lean fightin weight of below 3700 lbs. With just the added wheel base in the front, it was a lean mean climbin machine at the hammers. I pulled off a couple of new lines on sledge that were sick.


I dont think we even slipped a tire on this climb that Frosty brought me up, (its steeper than it looks).
With the added length at the rear, the completion of the ram steering(Thanks Dean), and the dual rear cutting brakes, the rig has never felt so sweet, the ballance is outrageouse.

Anyone going to the event, come on up and introduce yourself.
Ill be camped at the Pirate Camp.

[skinny]

so how u gonnna cut the back, all the way around

[66CJdean]

Jeff you do have a Black Belt in Grinder! We missed your GET IT! ability this last trip.

[H8monday]

Originally posted by BIGASSYJ
so how u gonnna cut the back, all the way around

I just came up straight on the inside edge of gas filler protector(you can see the opening of the protector in one of the photos), and then went straight across and around the corner from there, to the wheel well opening. I need to clean it up, but its pouring rain outside, and I dont have a garage. I do all of my work with hand tools in a parking lot, of my apartment hehehe the management hates me.

[H8monday]

Originally posted by 66CJdean
Jeff you do have a Black Belt in Grinder! We missed your GET IT! ability this last trip.

I wish I couldve gone Dean, but we had to pour concrete on saturday,... and all of the bracketry work took longer than i thought. Im tellin you, I was up to my ass in grinding wheel dust, all weekend, and the management has threatened to kick me out. I even bought all of my closest neighbors free car washes, because of the dust. Oh well, It will be finished within hours after I get my 8 lug bead locks from Big Feck.
Hey how did Kevin do at the Warn comp?
Is he still gonna be able to run CalRocs? Its not as much fun if I cant whoop up on a few of my buds

[66CJdean]

Originally posted by H8monday



Hey how did Kevin do at the Warn comp?
Is he still gonna be able to run CalRocs? Its not as much fun if I cant whoop up on a few of my buds

Or get Whooped
He got 17th and he said his rig is still in good shape. He has all this week off and should be down there Friday.

[RoCkSkuLLz]

Looks good H8, what type of waggy springs are those? superlifts?
Also Do you have anymore pictures of your gas tank setup? I wouldnt mind seeing how you did that, Im still debating on going fuel cell or sticking through the floor board like you did. If you have some pics please post them

[Adam Ant]

Originally posted by 66CJdean
Jeff you do have a Black Belt in Grinder! We missed your GET IT! ability this last trip.

Definitly thought you would be there Jeff!!!

maybe next time!!


Adam,,,

[Adam Ant]

Originally posted by 66CJdean

Or get Whooped
He got 17th and he said his rig is still in good shape. He has all this week off and should be down there Friday.

i think he Was holding out for the Locall event!!!! thats not like kevin!!

[66CJdean]

I think that the 4 year old Boggers had something to do with it.

[Adam Ant]

Originally posted by Adam Ant


i think he Was holding out for the Locall event!!!! thats not like kevin!!

Good old fashion Red neck style!! Old tires But the Motor runs Great!!!!



Adam,,,