Wheeling a fullsize
#241
WhitKnuc,
For the TJ Jeep there are coil pads that are made to push the axle forward. Instead of mounting the coil spring pad onto the axle tube they are made with brackets that are welded to the axle tubes and the coil pads sit on these brackets that allow the axle to sit forward.
Why did you make the mount for the control arm double? Is this about where they will sit with the D60? Just seems like a lot of extra leverage being placed onto the stock bracket.
It is looking good. Look forward to seeing the D60 get swapped into the truck.
For the TJ Jeep there are coil pads that are made to push the axle forward. Instead of mounting the coil spring pad onto the axle tube they are made with brackets that are welded to the axle tubes and the coil pads sit on these brackets that allow the axle to sit forward.
Why did you make the mount for the control arm double? Is this about where they will sit with the D60? Just seems like a lot of extra leverage being placed onto the stock bracket.
It is looking good. Look forward to seeing the D60 get swapped into the truck.
#242
WhitKnuc,
For the TJ Jeep there are coil pads that are made to push the axle forward. Instead of mounting the coil spring pad onto the axle tube they are made with brackets that are welded to the axle tubes and the coil pads sit on these brackets that allow the axle to sit forward.
For the TJ Jeep there are coil pads that are made to push the axle forward. Instead of mounting the coil spring pad onto the axle tube they are made with brackets that are welded to the axle tubes and the coil pads sit on these brackets that allow the axle to sit forward.
Oh yeah, I've looked at all the Jeep options you describe as here's a entire page showing a good few: http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/...ngOptions.html
I like them alot, yet they are a good few inches short on diameter is all. Still good ideas that I've put into my list to not rule out, just yet.
Ok sorry for that extra, but felt it would be helpful to show the underlying basis for the bracket placements. Yes, the moment arm increases and I have the loads calculated, but not with me at work. I did not add anything further between the axle tube and bracket. It can be a concern if my wheeling style were to "Get it". I'm not that kind of wheeler and didn't intend with this build to gain much in the bracket-to-axle tube area. It is very comparable to the Skyjacker, BDS, and Fabtech kits where they relocate the upper mount higher as well, however, not as high as I went (maybe 1-2" less). Edit: Skyjacker does not do this. They reuse axle factory arm location.
I will be putting the factory bolt and a sleeve back in the hole. When comes time to take this axle out and there is a buyer, they will have the option to use the stock arm location or the one I put on there. Also, the new bracket I put on is using the standard 2 5/8" width for joints, not the stupid dodge 2 5/16 width for the uppers where there is only like 2 joints out there you can use directly w/o modding.
The D60 will not be setup with using the short upper arm locations. So the UPPER brackets will not be made on the axle side to duplicate the D44. The D60 will go in approximately the same place (forward position) and the lowers are "intended" to match very closely with the D44. Plan for upper(s) is to do a 3-link for offroad and put removable 4th link for onroad.
Last edited by Wh1t3NuKle; 02-20-2014 at 10:49 AM.
#243
Using just the weight of the truck (7000 lbs) the loads in the previous short arm setup (also at an angle due to the lift) are greater (by about 1000 lbs) compared to those with the new setup. This is due to the change from short/steep to long/parallel (mostly parallel). The vectors change such that the coil springs take more load.
This is good when looking from the viewpoint of the bracket on the axle now. The stress in the bracket is less for the same load. This is a good setup.
Additionally, this makes the kits by BDS and Fabtech show as viable designs. The question then still comes back to the bracket on the axle tube for the upper.
Fabtech has the cap cut off like I had done. Then their full bracket is inserted and bolted up. Additionally, it locks into the coil bucket.
BDS takes their bracket and it sleeves over the upper bracket and bolted tight. There is no integration to the coil bucket.
Neither of these change or impact the factory welds to the axle tube. Those remain the limiting connection since that is the load path. Fabtech is better because it grabs the coil bucket and thus can distribute the load out to the other bracket welds.
I'm not a fan of welding over factory welds as that diminishes their strength. If I was going to add some section modulus or strength, then I would add new plate material and welds would be away from factory welds.
If my setup folds over, then that will just speed up the D60 swap and I'd report my findings here for people, rather then go silent. Plus, a few ppl here are able to check on me directly.
This is good when looking from the viewpoint of the bracket on the axle now. The stress in the bracket is less for the same load. This is a good setup.
Additionally, this makes the kits by BDS and Fabtech show as viable designs. The question then still comes back to the bracket on the axle tube for the upper.
Fabtech has the cap cut off like I had done. Then their full bracket is inserted and bolted up. Additionally, it locks into the coil bucket.
BDS takes their bracket and it sleeves over the upper bracket and bolted tight. There is no integration to the coil bucket.
Neither of these change or impact the factory welds to the axle tube. Those remain the limiting connection since that is the load path. Fabtech is better because it grabs the coil bucket and thus can distribute the load out to the other bracket welds.
I'm not a fan of welding over factory welds as that diminishes their strength. If I was going to add some section modulus or strength, then I would add new plate material and welds would be away from factory welds.
If my setup folds over, then that will just speed up the D60 swap and I'd report my findings here for people, rather then go silent. Plus, a few ppl here are able to check on me directly.
#244
#245
#246
#247
^ lol
Went and flexed it to check clearances.
Results:
1. I need to put my front brake lines on
2. Need limit straps if I droop it like this
I am very pleased.
brake line
Spring is free!
Other direction
Pinion angle still pretty decent as I expected it to be worse
Very close contact - .5" clearance still
Stuffed just enough
Went and flexed it to check clearances.
Results:
1. I need to put my front brake lines on
2. Need limit straps if I droop it like this
I am very pleased.
brake line
Spring is free!
Other direction
Pinion angle still pretty decent as I expected it to be worse
Very close contact - .5" clearance still
Stuffed just enough
#248
Hey Wh1t3nukle, have you ever off roaded with jeeps? How do you find a full size like our rams compare? I haven't done too much offroading with jeeps but my buddy bought a rubicon in the fall and we will be testing it out this spring. Theres about 3 jeeps, 1 canyon, 1 blazer and me - the only fullsize in our group. I haven't done too much offroading but this spring I plan to get into it more. My wallet already feels empty lol.
#250