94 b4000 axle swap/offroad build

[kroussinoffroad]

i didnt have any issues with the coils fittin the buckets of the axle but i did cut the pigtail off the top of the spring. i was able to put it in with the pigtail by clockin the spring just right but it didnt seem to sit in there too nicely.

hopefully i wil have some more pics of it playin on snowbanks now that the trac-bar bracket is on the frame.

My april 1 deadline is just around the corner. still tons to do

 

[escort_gts]

thanks, that helps me in deciding what springs to get. You will have to let me know how the steering works for you. I want something besides stock xj steering. Stock will work now, but it wont hold up for long.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

front is just just about done. just need to tie up some loose ends such as: replacing steering hardware with grade 8's, adjusting the trac-bar, and fittin the driveshaft.

For the rear i installed a set of 63'' chev springs. and will be gettin the 6400 shackle. it is sittin nearly level but that little bit more will surely help.

after gettin the brake's finished up i took it for a spin down the road AND BACK. felt pretty good to be behind the wheel again after months of wrenchin.everything seems to be workin as i thought it would. my new tranny x-member is a smidge too close to the x-fer case. hopefully will be pickin up a manual case within the month so i will address it at that time. also will need to shorten the uca's in the future due to caster angle although pinion angle is nice and it drive's and handle's well so i may leave it.

only have 9 more days left till spring opener. hopefully it will be done and have had a little mud under its tires before then but we'll see.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

for the drive shaft i cut my factory one with the intentions of sluggin and sleevin it. once apart i found it to have a 1.75 I.D. lookin around the garage for some tubing i found i front driveshaft (for a YJ i belive) which is 1.73 O.D. with a better slipjoint and has the same front U joint.

long story short i plan to have this shaft welded inside my factory shaft to the correct length and tosing it in

 

[dangerranger83]

Be sure to get the drive shaft ballanced as the D30 is a live at all times axle and will have your drive shaft spinning. I've seen people get away with not ballancing them though.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

well no one really does driveshaft work around here. so i think i'll try the hose clamp thingy and see if it works (if i even need it). just tryin to get away without ordering a prebuilt one. The wife finnally realized how much time and money i have been spendin on the truck and has been much more watchfull. and then she goes out a buy's a new dishwasher for me to install WTF.

 

[dangerranger83]

You get new toy's, she gets new toy's.

BTW whats the hose clamp thing anyways, got pictures of all of this, I might do this to save some money.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

the hose clamp thing is kinda guess and test. it will never be 100% but you put a hose clamp around the driveshaft and dive stop and clock the hose clamp drive stop and clock the hose clamp until the vibration either go's away or is minimal. It only works at best. you can never really tell if it needs to be at the front or rear. you may need to use multiple clamp's who know's. definately not the best option but definately beat's payin top dollar for a drive shaft on a truck that is used minimally. I've seen it eliminate vibrations. but it take's alot of screwin around and seat of the pants testing

if you start cookin u-joints you know it aint right. just somin we've done in the past to our woods truck's

 

[dangerranger83]

Mine is going to be a DD so I might have to get it done professionly but seeing that you can fit a YJ drive shaft (or mabey other Jeep shafts) into a rangers maybe I'll go that rought and have a driveshaft shop balance it. I hope theres no diameter difference between your front drive shaft and mine so that this will work. I'll have to look into that.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

Truck should be outta my garage tomorrow!!!!

very small list of things left to do.
looks like either a late night Test ride or bright and early saturday morning

 

[dangerranger83]

How did you lift up the rear end or how do you plan on it? Or did I miss that part? Cant wait to see it!!!!!!!

Dont forget lots of pictures that show detail. Wish I was able to get mine done but who knows when I can now, bro in law still needs to change my pinion bearing and help set the gears up like he said he was going to do, but he is always busy. And money is tight.

 

[kroussinoffroad]

i lifted the rear using a set of nicely arched 63" chevy springs and a 7" shackle.

if there are any area's you'd like to see pics feel free to ask and i'll snap some. i will be postin some finished pics pretty soon.

I took it for a trail ride last night, and it ride's kinda like i expected it to. not quite as good as the ifs. but definately outperforms the ifs when stuff starts gettin difficult. it has a vibration at 55 that i belive is from the severly bent rim but we'll see. with it still runnin 3.27's in the rear and 3.55's in the front it doesnt like to be in 4wd much (unless the tire's can spin). i also have a caliper hangin up on ? side so it'll need to be addressed as well.

overall i'm happy with how it turned out i just cant wait till the front springs break in a little bit. and i get everything tuned and addressed just right.

OH and you can definately tell there's no sway bars. WOW does i dive in corners.

 

[dangerranger83]

I wouldnt run it in 4wd until you got the gears the same ratio. The vibration could be your driveshaft too but that wheel might not be helping either.

How good do the Jeep brakes stop the truck compaired to the Rangers brakes? If worse Im told that on 99+ up Jeep D30's have dual calpier brakes, high steering but you have to take the entire knuckle and bolt it to your D30, cant just take the brakes callipers, saddly.

You can put a sway bar on it and add quick disconnects to it too but the add lift doesn't help either.

I'll just wait for the finished pictures.

 

[out cast]

Pics!!!!!!

 

[kroussinoffroad]

the brakin is just fine prolly similar to what the ttb would act like with 33's
after a good trail ride today everything seems to be acting alot better. no as much swaying or vibration. With the different gears i only run it in 4wd when need be. you can definately tell there not the same (allways seems to be spining)

performed great througth the hole ride asside from braking the exhaust off and breaking the excitter wire off the starter.

i think it did great considerin the truck i went with ripped off a fuel line and detonated the spiders in the front axle we were able to ge someone to run us some spare parts so it worked out pretty good.

THREE WHEEL LEAN

START OF THE TRAIL

AND THIS IS WHERE HE BROKE THE SPIDERS

AFTER CHANGIN THE SPIDERS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WOODS

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