XJ Long Arm build... Took awhile, but its done!

[ColoradoXJ]

Here we go... So for the last 4 years, i've been bouncing the XJ along on 5.5" of short-armed suspension HELL. Was talking about doing this forever, and finally just pulled the trigger and made it happen...


First, a few thanks...

ClemsonKrawler
BigDave (and Pam)
Bauer

and anyone else who helped with this... I know, i'm a PITA


Here we go. A couple before pics...


...

The brackets I used are from PolyPerformance. Pretty sweet, if you ask me. They envelope the unibody rail, and can be bolted in as well as welded. Keeps the 4-link, plus trackbar.



After bolting them in, I went back and cleaned up the area to be welded (and yes, I did clean up ALL the places to be welded, not just those shown )





A few welds, and...



Didn't fully weld everything at once. We went through and stitched, so as to minimize excess heat in any one place on the unibody rail for long.

Trying the lowers on for size... Since I figured that I wanted to go (severely) overkill, I ordered 2" solid aluminum links, drilled for 1.25" shank Currie Johnny Joints. For all 4 links. Pretty sure the XJ will fall apart around the suspension.

The links were machined by Performance Cryogenics... a referral from ClemsonKrawler. They're sweet



Clemson getting to work cutting parts of MY jeep... suppose that's okay since I flopped his last year



The other side, pre-cutting



Old bracket off... and arm bolted up




To be continued...

[hightimes2]

looks good

[ColoradoXJ]

Here's the first peek of the lowers bolted up:

...

And "flexing" out a little on the trailer... Mind you, I only had front-wheel drive for this, since it was on the way back from Moab and my "lets blow up the spider gears on Poison Spider Mesa" debacle.



A couple quick shots of the old axle-side upper mounts... just for comparison



Thank God for that TnT truss... or I probably would be on my 4th D30 by now



Axle... Out... Approaching the point of no return





Oh man... let the cutting commence!



Figured since it was all out, that I would get rid of the useless steering-stabilizer mount and clean up the axle as well (haven't run one in a couple years anyway... )



All cleaned up



And again, while it was out, and while I had extra 1/4" plate... might as well box in the stock lower control arm mounts on the D30 (As Wally would put it... "Polishing a turd" )





Dave trying to get this done so I could get out of his garage



We used 1/4" plate for the new brackets



To be continued... again.

[ColoradoXJ]

looks good

Thanks. This was definitely an adventure... and its not over. I think having the heavy-duty suspension is leading to some other things that need addressed...

[hightimes2]

long arms was the best thing I did to my xj when I had it. 6.5" coils and short arms sucked lol

[ColoradoXJ]

I was actively trying to get finished, so there are not many pics, but here's a few of things bolted up and in place.



Ooohhh... shiny



Yay! I was a little concerned about clearance, but hasn't been an issue yet.



Passenger side, all bolted up. Damn links are beefy...



A view from the back. A new crossmember/skid is on the "to-do" list



So after everything was bolted up, checked, etc... It was time to hit the trails. Why not start on Black Bear?



Much, much, much nicer ride... Smoother over the rough sections... Better handling on the road too (at least in my opinion).

A quick shot back on the drivers side




And then for the final inspection... its very important to get a clear view of the suspension components



Nothing seemed out of place from that angle, so I moved it a little...



Pam gives it a as well

[liamxj]

Turned out nice. i love those brackets and want to use them on mine now that i see how nice they turned out on yours. and welcome to the wonder full world of long arms!

Will

PS do you have a picture on the driver side of how they go by the fuel lines and that dumb fin that hangs off the unibody in that area?

[Impaired]

Good choice of brackets, link material, bushingless joints, and set up. Great write up on how to do it right. Nice work.

[MN-XJ]

Well done sir!

P.S. Get a new tie rod! You've pushed your luck with that dinky thing long enough

[strom911]

Looks good Justin. I love my long arms! Why do you still have the d30?

[p02nieman02]

Nice job.Never got to experiance stock suspension in my TJ.Don't even think I've lifted a tire on Spring Creek,Wheeler and Twin Cone.Was told on Wheeler(V notch)that the long arms probably saved me at least a flop.

[YJgirl]

I'm so proud of you Justin!!! XJ is all grown up and you're already putting it on its side.

Now you need a sticker across the back that says:
I'M MORE FUN THAN YOUR BOYFRIEND.

[ColoradoXJ]

PS do you have a picture on the driver side of how they go by the fuel lines and that dumb fin that hangs off the unibody in that area?

I don't think i have a pic of it, but the "fin" stays in place on both sides, creating a channel. The upper CA actually bolts through into a little plate/nut that slides back there. I can try and grab pics early next week. Fuel lines just stay in that channel.

Well done sir!

P.S. Get a new tie rod! You've pushed your luck with that dinky thing long enough

Hey now... that's at least a ZJ tie rod

Looks good Justin. I love my long arms! Why do you still have the d30?

Cause I got that one for a steal... and the biggest this rig goes is 35's, so properly built, a 44/30 combo should be okay. (I say this now... )

I'm so proud of you Justin!!! XJ is all grown up and you're already putting it on its side.

Now you need a sticker across the back that says:
I'M MORE FUN THAN YOUR BOYFRIEND.

I don't know what to say to you right now...

[ColoradoXJ]

Disclaimer... I don't know if its just my computer, but TinyPic is hosting a bunch of other pics apparently with the same code...


If it ain't jeep, I didn't post it...

[ColoradoXJ]

Good choice of brackets, link material, bushingless joints, and set up. Great write up on how to do it right. Nice work.

Thanks man

[Oscar]

All I see is stationwagon pics

[ColoradoXJ]

All I see is stationwagon pics

funny...

[EEJEEP]

Nice Job! Those Poly pro backets look tha bomb yo!

[clemsonkrawler]

turned out good.

[al24]

All I see is stationwagon pics

X2. I didn't even know those Taurus wagons had a solid front axle.

[ColoradoXJ]

turned out good.

Thanks dude. Appreciate your help and to get this thing done...

[clemsonkrawler]

no problem. I have a feeling Im going to need the provocation returned this winter. The YJ is no more. Gonna have to build something new.

[BradC]

Looks great Justin, now go break it!!!

[ColoradoXJ]

What do you want from me? I was trying...


I think Billings sounds like fun

[CannonBall]

What front bumper is that? Home made?
-Nate

[al24]

Iron Scorpion

Can't get one anymore.

[BeastXJ]

Looks good Justin! Welcome to the world of long arms, have been pretty happy with my setup. Way to test it out on Black Bear

[ColoradoXJ]

Looks good Justin! Welcome to the world of long arms, have been pretty happy with my setup. Way to test it out on Black Bear

Go big, or go home... right? Its not like there is a penalty for suspension failure up there