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KJ axel swap

M

marc9976

New Member
Location
Golden Colorado
I have an 03' KJ and have had it with the wimpy IFS. I'm considering swapping in a Ford TTB axle from an Explorer. I'm thinking this would work out well with the rack and pinion steering already in my KJ. Decent road manners and much more flex on the trail. Any ideas or suggestions???
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
I wouldn't bother with the TTB, that swap would be way more hassle than it's worth.

What are you looking to do with your Libby? What kind of trails do you want to run? What size tire do you want to run? Depending on how you respond to those questions will depend on what you ought to do. You might be better off modifying the IFS to work for your needs.

If you're going to do a SAS, you might be best off using something like a Early Bronco Dana 44. They're about 56" wide, which is probably a tad wider than the stock Liberty width, but I don't know off hand. Also, do you happen to know what side the transfer case drop is on? If it's not driver drop, then a Ford axle might not work for you.

Or you might want to consider a TJ front axle, again depending on the t-case drop. That would be a sweet setup, use all Jeep parts. And if you're going to do all this, there's no logical reason to try keep the rack & pinion steering.
 
M

marc9976

New Member
Location
Golden Colorado
I am running 265-75's at the moment. Bigger tires isn't what I'm after. I'd like to go out wheelin' for more than a month without destroying a ball joint! I've had all the joints replaced once and it needs it again, 4 months later...They are just so flimsy, deffinately made for any kind of abuse. I was considering a TTB because the dana 30 version came in the early explorers, fairly narrow compared to the 44 version in the bronco, and it appears that my current r+p would work with it. Also, mounting radius arms wouldn't be very difficult compared to a 4 link setup and no need for a trackbar. And if it were possible to get more than 7" of articulation out of my current IFS I'd be ok for a while. I want it all, more flex and a decent ride!
 
mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
marc9976 said:
I am running 265-75's at the moment. Bigger tires isn't what I'm after. I'd like to go out wheelin' for more than a month without destroying a ball joint! I've had all the joints replaced once and it needs it again, 4 months later...They are just so flimsy, deffinately made for any kind of abuse. I was considering a TTB because the dana 30 version came in the early explorers, fairly narrow compared to the 44 version in the bronco, and it appears that my current r+p would work with it. Also, mounting radius arms wouldn't be very difficult compared to a 4 link setup and no need for a trackbar. And if it were possible to get more than 7" of articulation out of my current IFS I'd be ok for a while. I want it all, more flex and a decent ride!
Click to expand...

I've got to say it. Why not look in to other platforms that are MUCH easier to build from.
 
Bart

Bart

Registered User
Location
Arm Utah
Wow, all this sounds just like the advise I was getting when I lifted my XJ way back when. I understand the "build what you have" thing.

If you do want to build, just do a solid axle swap. The TTB won't be much better on joints than what you have. I believe there are kits out there.
 
mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
Bart said:
Wow, all this sounds just like the advise I was getting when I lifted my XJ way back when. I understand the "build what you have" thing.

If you do want to build, just do a solid axle swap. The TTB won't be much better on joints than what you have. I believe there are kits out there.
Click to expand...


My thing about the other platforms would be based on a SAS in a Toyota or similar. You'd need to even change the steering system from rack/pinion (or maybe not?). If you were able to do most of the work yourself, it could be done for a reasonable cost. However, if you're paying someone to do it, you may want to check your costs before jumping in.

Fact: You can do anything you want if you give it enough time/$$$/or other resources. If you're committed to the KJ, go for it. I'd think it through pretty hard, though. What will you have when you get done, and what's it's value after you're done. The only real thing you've got going FOR you with the KJ platform (if you're into the styling) is the low range t-case and the 8.25 axle that'd probably support 35" tires somewhat reliably. You've still got the same kind of issues you'd have if you were building an WJ, XJ or ZJ with the disadvantage of the IFS and rack/pinion steering (maybe you could turn that into a positive?).
 
Milner

Milner

formerly "rckcrlr"
Location
Hiding behind a camera
marc9976 said:
I am running 265-75's at the moment. Bigger tires isn't what I'm after. I'd like to go out wheelin' for more than a month without destroying a ball joint! I've had all the joints replaced once and it needs it again, 4 months later...They are just so flimsy, deffinately made for any kind of abuse. I was considering a TTB because the dana 30 version came in the early explorers, fairly narrow compared to the 44 version in the bronco, and it appears that my current r+p would work with it. Also, mounting radius arms wouldn't be very difficult compared to a 4 link setup and no need for a trackbar. And if it were possible to get more than 7" of articulation out of my current IFS I'd be ok for a while. I want it all, more flex and a decent ride!
Click to expand...

TTB would be a nightmare!! And you could argue that they function een worse then an A-Arm IFS....(I own both;) ) Just locating the beam mounts and having them hod up would be more fab then SAS....

As far as the libby as a platform....I like it, thats why we bought one. Like Bart said, back in the day, people told us the same thing about XJ's.
I am honestly impressed with the KJ so far. The uni-frame is much beefier than the XJ was. And it all depends on what you want to do with it....

I do see a SAS in the future for ours, but I want to make the IFS work first....I am thinking along the lines of the long travel/widening style kit like they have for toys and rangers....

Follow the posted links to LOST, there is a lot of info there!!
 
7

78mitsu

Registered User
what about a 30 from an xj or tj - I know they're light but... for a light rig, that will be lightly wheeled it may not be too bad, should be pretty close to the same width (with the eyeball)
 
R

Rick B

S.E. Utah Native
Location
Moab
Swapping IFS that you're unhappy with for a bastardized IFS sounds like pissing into the wind to me. If you're going to change what it was designed to operate with don't use someone elses mistake.

Also, I agree with whoever it was that said it would be much more difficult just to make something to mount the axle brackets than to just do a SAS.
 
M

marc9976

New Member
Location
Golden Colorado
Ok, so the TTB was just a thought. Ford used it for 16 years, it couldn't be that bad. Then again, we're talking about ford... I really like the nice ride from the IFS. My KJ does pretty well as is, it's just so easy to break stuff up front! A regular ball joint wouldn't be a problem to change out regularly but these POS factory A arm/joint things really suck and they cost about $100 a piece! The lower arms have regular joints, but they're pressed in which means removing the whole arm and taking it to a shop to change them. Jeep wasn't thinking trail repair when they came up with this design!
I've seen some pretty beefy upper arms with uniballs on Rusty's site, has anyone seen a better option for the lower joints???
If I go with SAS, I'll be doing most of the work myself. If I find a suitable axle and steering box, what does a swap kit cost and where can I find one??? Thanks everyone!
 
Milner

Milner

formerly "rckcrlr"
Location
Hiding behind a camera
marc9976 said:
I've seen some pretty beefy upper arms with uniballs on Rusty's site, has anyone seen a better option for the lower joints???
If I go with SAS, I'll be doing most of the work myself. If I find a suitable axle and steering box, what does a swap kit cost and where can I find one??? Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...

Al-J's is making the uppers and there is a guy on LOST talking about making lowers with uni-balls.
Have you used the Moog ball joints? supposed to be better than the oe ones....
 
M

marc9976

New Member
Location
Golden Colorado
I have used moog joints, they're the ones I'm about to replace. All it takes to destroy them is a few 35mph passes on a rocky road. It's sad how weak they really are.
 
krazz1e

krazz1e

Registered User
ball joint failures have been due to heat generated from the disc brakes causing lack of lubrication and therefore resulting in failure. Jeep has recalled them before, and has just done it again recently, wait a little longer and you'll be able to have jeep put in there "new" improved set for free.

As for moogs, you need a special part #, the one that is greasable, and you need to grease it often.

Check out jeepin al's arms, they are redesign with a lift in mind and have the joints pressed in already, they have been the solution to this problem.

please go to the lost website and do some research you'll find all the answer you seek from other KJ owners.
 
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