B2 suspension question

[Shran]

Prolly 33s max so I can get more flex out of lift.

How can I get a 6 in lift and have a lot of flex

I am telling you, you want a low center of gravity for a rock crawler. I have over 6" of lift in the front of mine and I wish it was a lot lower. You DO NOT NEED IT.

What do you gain with a huge lift? Nothing. Your differentials are still the same distance from the ground no matter what. Keep it low, build a super skid plate and you'll have a nice stable rig.

Also, you can make your suspension flex a LOT without a huge amount of lift.

 

[B2crawler]

Yea. Im tryin to do it on a budget since ill be in college this fall. Where can I get the axle drop brackets? I haven't been able to find where you can buy just the brackets. How much longer do I need to make the radius arms for 6" jeep coils? Just a question but could you run just coils in the front with no shocks or do you have to have shocks? If you can run just coils would you have to have the drop brackets and longer radius arms?
4x4junkie how much $$ did your shock coils and drop brackets end up costing you? I like your set up.
4.0b2 I've prolly seen you or you seen me there when I wheeled my tracker

 

[Shran]

You can't buy just the axle drop brackets because you literally need everything else too. Lift manufacturers don't sell single pieces (or at least they don't advertise it if they do) because they would not want half a lift and some cobbled up junk running around with their name on it.

Yes, you need shocks unless you want to bounce off the road.

Since you are on a college budget, I will reiterate that no lift is the way to go and by far the cheapest!

 

[4.0B2]

You can get skyjacker brackets here on TRS from Jim oaks enterprise. They ain't cheap tho. Then add in coils, f250 shock towers, shocks, DOM to extend your radius arms, brakelines, steering (expensive on it's on), gears, tires, sliders, so on....


Idk what your budget is; but you'll blow thru it in no time doing it right. Have you read in the tech library? Read any of the million threads on TTB lifting??

 

[B2crawler]

Ok. I didn't know if I had tO have shocks since its not driven on the road. How would I do it with no lift. I'm just tryin to figure out suspension travel right now. I've got tires and can get gears cheap. My budget is just gettin parts every week and workin on it as I get them.

 

[4.0B2]

with stock axles?

no lift... get f250 shock towers, longer shocks.
xj soft coils, 2" lift or so..
extend your stock radius arms.

 

[Shran]

^ exactly what he said.

 

[4.0B2]

oh... and cut the crap out of your fenders to make 33's fit.

might do a 2" lift total, that way you don't need drop brackets and have more room to flex out. a 2" xj coil or maybe a 3" xj coil... idk about that.

i'd love to see someone throw some 3" xj coils on a no drop bracket setup and see what happens, w/ long shocks and long radius arms, with the crap cut out of fenders for 33's

 

[Shran]

i'd love to see someone throw some 3" xj coils on a no drop bracket setup and see what happens, w/ long shocks and long radius arms, with the crap cut out of fenders for 33's

You will, my next project will be a 91-94 four door Explorer that is set up with that exact configuration. I have been fantasizing about building one, real low budget, 4.0/C5/1354M with a nice full interior cage to race. "Baja" style racing is gaining popularity around here and I really want to join the crowd, and IMO this is the best and strongest possible combination that can be built really cheap.

 

[4.0B2]

You will, my next project will be a 91-94 four door Explorer that is set up with that exact configuration. I have been fantasizing about building one, real low budget, 4.0/C5/1354M with a nice full interior cage to race. "Baja" style racing is gaining popularity around here and I really want to join the crowd, and IMO this is the best and strongest possible combination that can be built really cheap.

i think over all its a great idea... hm... got me thinking now.

 

[4x4junkie]

4x4junkie how much $$ did your shock coils and drop brackets end up costing you? I like your set up.

Right now guessing I have somewhere around $700 tied up in my frontend (not including hubs, locker & gears- things you'd likely put into any axle).
I'm dubious of the claim a properly-done SAS can be done for that amount unless you happen to have another heap on your property which you can pull parts from (and even then it still might be tough unless you used leaf springs from it also). Between a new steering setup and some quality link ends & tubing, you're probably pushing $700 just right there. Forget about the shocks, springs, and other stuff you need (plus if the axle itself needs a bunch of work too).


As for running no lift at all, I think I'd rather have a little bit of distance between the axle and the bump stops. I just can't see it flexing much otherwise (at least for uptravel anyway).
I'm right about 3.5" lift on my suspension (+2" body)... It doesn't feel overly tippy to me and I've had it leaned over pretty good at times on trails like Dusy and Rubicon. I s'pose my rear-mounted dual batteries could have a little bit to do with it too though.

 

[B2crawler]

How much would I need to extend the radius arms for 3" xj coils and 12" travel shocks.

 

[CarsonChris]

Here's some shackles for the rear.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G904000/

 

[4x4junkie]

How much would I need to extend the radius arms for 3" xj coils and 12" travel shocks.

Anywhere between 12-15" extended is ideal (mine are extended 12").

Go on the shorter end if you want to keep a separate transmission crossmember, longer if you want to incorporate the mounts in with your crossmember.