SOA front axle traction bar ideas? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Wes in TN · 10-11-2005, 01:27 PM

I need to come up with a way to eliminate the axle wrap in the front of my SOA YJ. My driveshaft is setup with 7" of slip and has plenty of spline engagement when flexed on a ramp but on my first shakedown run the driveshaft pulled apart when climbing under throttle due to axle wrap. Rather than simply buy a longer-travel driveshaft to band-aid fix the problem I would prefer to fix it once and for all by eliminating the cause, axle wrap. My front suspension is setup with BSD 4200 (YJ 2.5" lift) springs with the military wrap cut off level with the spring eye bolts due to clearance issues. My front springs are setup tight to the frame and level from spring eye to spring eye. The shackle rests back from verticle, I can't remember exactly how much. I've attached a few pictures from the buildup to show how everything is setup and what kind of room I have to work with.

I first considered mounting links from the u-bolt plates to the front spring hanger. This would be the quick and easy option but I really don't have room at the front spring hanger to make this work.

My next option is a traction bar mounted off the back of the axle but I have two concerns with such a setup:

1. Will a ladder bar type traction bar funtion properly on the shackle side of the spring?

2. Would a cantilever mount for the shackle end of the traction bar hold up long term? As you can see I've already notched the frame in the area where the cantilever mount would be located.

Does anyone have a proven setup they care to share? I've searched off and on for a couple days and there really isn't much info out there for front axle wrap control.

beyer05 · 10-11-2005, 01:43 PM

The only one I have actually ever seen a picture of was the one on the front of Cappa's big jeep truck on Rockwell's and 49" Iroks. It goes from the axle forward to the front of the rig. I would be interested in seeing some ideas on this also as I might build one also.

rock-rod · 10-11-2005, 01:47 PM

Pm bigdude.

He's got one on the front of his wrangler that seems to work well.

fubar73cj5 · 10-11-2005, 11:47 PM

Depending on how much room you have, hi steer, frame, etc. you might be able to do something like this in the front. The flaws of this imperfect set up have already been discussed, this is not a "perfect" antiwrap device but it works well enough for me and my needs. Here's some booty fab for ya

I run this in back and it works alright, copied Durhams set up and then incorporated the bump stops into the towers to kill two birds with one stone. I don't have a lot of room for an antiwrap in the middle.

I twisted it up both with and without these bars in and it had no effect on flex. I have bent the rear springs (stock YJ's) but others have run similar set ups without tweaking them (Hybridpos I believe) I think Geberhard was going to run a cable instead of bars, that would probably work better in front for clearances. Search for "anti wrap for under $10" Sorry, I accidently deleted all these thread subscriptions so no links.

XtremeEngineering · 10-12-2005, 06:42 AM

I have put them on four different Jeeps. They all see alot of hard use. Let me know if you have any ??'s. I would be glad to help.

Here are a couple pics.

XtremeEngineering · 10-12-2005, 06:48 AM

The shackle mount is reverse of what you would do in the rear.

XtremeEngineering · 10-12-2005, 06:55 AM

Here is a pic of one with SOA, The other is SUA.

XtremeEngineering · 10-12-2005, 06:58 AM

As you can see they both flex very well.

wheelerpeeler · 10-12-2005, 07:04 AM

I just put a x member frum moter mount to moter mount then ran a limet strap to the back side of the housing as low as you can get it. and it worked perf. keeps the axel from walking a way in climes and it will not let the housing roll ether.

XtremeEngineering · 10-12-2005, 07:09 AM

.

jwjeep1 · 10-12-2005, 07:16 AM

Maybe it's just me, or the picture is deceiving, but I wouldn't be proud of my vehicle doing that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtremeEngineering

Here is a pic of one with SOA, The other is SUA.

TJDale · 10-12-2005, 07:34 AM

Yeah, Whats up with this picture?

XtremeEngineering · 10-12-2005, 07:45 AM

That strap on the rear of the cage is going to another Jeep that is being towed up the exit of Patriot. And a little of this doesn't hurt.

Wes in TN · 10-12-2005, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtremeEngineering

The shackle mount is reverse of what you would do in the rear.

By that you mean that shackle faces up from the bar instead of down from the bar like in the rear correct? The shackle for the springs and the traction bar are both behind the axle right?

I can't make out much from the pictures, are you mounting them from x-members or cantilevered off of the frame?

XtremeEngineering · 10-12-2005, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes in TN

By that you mean that shackle faces up from the bar instead of down from the bar like in the rear correct? The shackle for the springs and the traction bar are both behind the axle right?

Yes and Yes

I can't make out much from the pictures, are you mounting them from x-members or cantilevered off of the frame?

They all have x-members that run from rail to rail. You can see the x-member on the red Jeep right behind the leaf spring shackle. Here is a bad pic of the blue one's x-member. It runs right in front of the oil pan.

Kreep · 10-12-2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes in TN

My next option is a traction bar mounted off the back of the axle but I have two concerns with such a setup:

1. Will a ladder bar type traction bar funtion properly on the shackle side of the spring?

2. Would a cantilever mount for the shackle end of the traction bar hold up long term? As you can see I've already notched the frame in the area where the cantilever mount would be located.

This is good idea.

1. Yes, but the shackle should be at least as long and at the same angle as the spring shackles.

2. Front axles are generally under less load than rear axles so you might get away with it. I would limit the width of the bracket to six inches.

Insayn · 10-12-2005, 05:40 PM

Wes in TN · 10-13-2005, 05:35 AM

Some great ideas so far. I believe I am going to try and fit a traction bar coming off the rear of the axle. Hopefully I can find room for it stuffed between the engine and frame.

HeyBeerMan · 10-13-2005, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtremeEngineering

And a little of this doesn't hurt.

Neither does the fact that he has the strap hooked to the worst possible spot for towing, and if it breaks its going right through his head.

Blake

quaylefarmer · 10-14-2005, 10:16 AM

I use a more traditional style traction bar on the front.

Heims at axle, johny joint at crossmember.

No impact on flex and no issues with 4-to-1, 6.17's and 42's.

Make sure the cross member is beefy.

geberhard · 10-14-2005, 05:47 PM

What about adding leafs to the pack? My front wrap was gone with the home brewed pack and no impact to flex, over 8 leafs and still flexes very well:

chris demartini · 10-14-2005, 06:00 PM

I was going to make an upper link from my passengers inner framerail where insayn's is to the axle. then I started thinking which always gets me in trouble, and figured I'd add the two lowers and get rid of the problems (the leaf springs themselves) all together.

now accepting donations

HybridPOS · 10-14-2005, 10:41 PM

/forum/jeep-hardcore-tech/332171-cant-friggen-find.html

10-11-2005, 01:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Wes in TN Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6647 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 839	SOA front axle traction bar ideas? I need to come up with a way to eliminate the axle wrap in the front of my SOA YJ. My driveshaft is setup with 7" of slip and has plenty of spline engagement when flexed on a ramp but on my first shakedown run the driveshaft pulled apart when climbing under throttle due to axle wrap. Rather than simply buy a longer-travel driveshaft to band-aid fix the problem I would prefer to fix it once and for all by eliminating the cause, axle wrap. My front suspension is setup with BSD 4200 (YJ 2.5" lift) springs with the military wrap cut off level with the spring eye bolts due to clearance issues. My front springs are setup tight to the frame and level from spring eye to spring eye. The shackle rests back from verticle, I can't remember exactly how much. I've attached a few pictures from the buildup to show how everything is setup and what kind of room I have to work with. I first considered mounting links from the u-bolt plates to the front spring hanger. This would be the quick and easy option but I really don't have room at the front spring hanger to make this work. My next option is a traction bar mounted off the back of the axle but I have two concerns with such a setup: 1. Will a ladder bar type traction bar funtion properly on the shackle side of the spring? 2. Would a cantilever mount for the shackle end of the traction bar hold up long term? As you can see I've already notched the frame in the area where the cantilever mount would be located. Does anyone have a proven setup they care to share? I've searched off and on for a couple days and there really isn't much info out there for front axle wrap control. Last edited by Wes in TN; 10-11-2005 at 01:28 PM.

10-11-2005, 01:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
beyer05 Rock God Join Date: Mar 2004 Member # 27999 Location: Tulsa, Ok Posts: 1,691	The only one I have actually ever seen a picture of was the one on the front of Cappa's big jeep truck on Rockwell's and 49" Iroks. It goes from the axle forward to the front of the rig. I would be interested in seeing some ideas on this also as I might build one also. __________________ 4-seater buggy

10-11-2005, 01:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
rock-rod Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20092 Location: Porker, CO Posts: 3,467	Pm bigdude. He's got one on the front of his wrangler that seems to work well. __________________ '94 Toyota Land Cruiser FJZ80 - Vortec L33 5.3l, 4L60e, elocked, 3" OME lift, 315 KM2s, Warn 8074.

10-11-2005, 11:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
fubar73cj5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Member # 31688 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 629	Depending on how much room you have, hi steer, frame, etc. you might be able to do something like this in the front. The flaws of this imperfect set up have already been discussed, this is not a "perfect" antiwrap device but it works well enough for me and my needs. Here's some booty fab for ya I run this in back and it works alright, copied Durhams set up and then incorporated the bump stops into the towers to kill two birds with one stone. I don't have a lot of room for an antiwrap in the middle. I twisted it up both with and without these bars in and it had no effect on flex. I have bent the rear springs (stock YJ's) but others have run similar set ups without tweaking them (Hybridpos I believe) I think Geberhard was going to run a cable instead of bars, that would probably work better in front for clearances. Search for "anti wrap for under $10" Sorry, I accidently deleted all these thread subscriptions so no links. Last edited by fubar73cj5; 11-20-2005 at 06:35 PM.

10-12-2005, 06:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
XtremeEngineering Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14488 Location: Fort Collins COlorado Posts: 735	I have put them on four different Jeeps. They all see alot of hard use. Let me know if you have any ??'s. I would be glad to help. Here are a couple pics. Attached Images __________________ KOH 2009 Driver #330 Home of The Wrath! www.thewrathchassis.com

10-12-2005, 06:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
XtremeEngineering Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14488 Location: Fort Collins COlorado Posts: 735	The shackle mount is reverse of what you would do in the rear. Attached Images __________________ KOH 2009 Driver #330 Home of The Wrath! www.thewrathchassis.com

10-12-2005, 06:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
XtremeEngineering Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14488 Location: Fort Collins COlorado Posts: 735	Here is a pic of one with SOA, The other is SUA. Attached Images __________________ KOH 2009 Driver #330 Home of The Wrath! www.thewrathchassis.com

10-12-2005, 06:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
XtremeEngineering Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14488 Location: Fort Collins COlorado Posts: 735	As you can see they both flex very well. Attached Images __________________ KOH 2009 Driver #330 Home of The Wrath! www.thewrathchassis.com

10-12-2005, 07:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
wheelerpeeler Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Member # 46653 Location: Redding, California Posts: 694	I just put a x member frum moter mount to moter mount then ran a limet strap to the back side of the housing as low as you can get it. and it worked perf. keeps the axel from walking a way in climes and it will not let the housing roll ether.

10-12-2005, 07:09 AM	#10 (permalink)
XtremeEngineering Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14488 Location: Fort Collins COlorado Posts: 735	. Attached Images __________________ KOH 2009 Driver #330 Home of The Wrath! www.thewrathchassis.com

10-12-2005, 07:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
TJDale Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Member # 41176 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 555	Yeah, Whats up with this picture? __________________ TJ

10-12-2005, 07:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
XtremeEngineering Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14488 Location: Fort Collins COlorado Posts: 735	That strap on the rear of the cage is going to another Jeep that is being towed up the exit of Patriot. And a little of this doesn't hurt. Attached Images __________________ KOH 2009 Driver #330 Home of The Wrath! www.thewrathchassis.com

10-12-2005, 05:40 PM	#17 (permalink)
Insayn Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 5923 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 914	__________________ #@*?! Gravity! Powered by Adrenaline and Driven by Insanity

10-13-2005, 05:35 AM	#18 (permalink)
Wes in TN Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6647 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 839	Some great ideas so far. I believe I am going to try and fit a traction bar coming off the rear of the axle. Hopefully I can find room for it stuffed between the engine and frame.

10-14-2005, 10:16 AM	#20 (permalink)
quaylefarmer WFTW Part Deux Join Date: May 2003 Member # 19355 Location: 40 klicks north of 8 mile Posts: 695	I use a more traditional style traction bar on the front. Heims at axle, johny joint at crossmember. No impact on flex and no issues with 4-to-1, 6.17's and 42's. Make sure the cross member is beefy.

10-14-2005, 05:47 PM	#21 (permalink)
geberhard Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 5861 Location: California Posts: 8,499	What about adding leafs to the pack? My front wrap was gone with the home brewed pack and no impact to flex, over 8 leafs and still flexes very well: __________________ Help us cure kids cancer! Shave for the cause :) Tips on how to build your Jeep bigger! New build, daily driver TJ on 44" rubbers Project hot 40 year old Last edited by geberhard; 10-14-2005 at 05:47 PM.

10-14-2005, 06:00 PM	#22 (permalink)
chris demartini Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Member # 1636 Location: 201 NJ Posts: 5,737	I was going to make an upper link from my passengers inner framerail where insayn's is to the axle. then I started thinking which always gets me in trouble, and figured I'd add the two lowers and get rid of the problems (the leaf springs themselves) all together. now accepting donations

10-14-2005, 10:41 PM	#23 (permalink)
HybridPOS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14442 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 909	/forum/jeep-hardcore-tech/332171-cant-friggen-find.html __________________ 83 CJ-7, 360 .030 over, shaved heads on the pane. 105 inches of noise and booger welds.

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