What is your wheelbase?
- Thread starter RockRoach
- Start date
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
107, but I wish it were closer to 103ish. Buncha long wheelbases around here...
RockMonkey
Suddenly Enthusiastic
What size tire? HAHAHAHA... Let's see, I have a set of 35s, a set of 36s, a set of 38s, and I'll be getting at least one set of 37s before the beginning of next season. 
As for wanting to go shorter it is a turning thing. I want to be able to turn tighter than I currently can, and really the only way to do that is to knock a few inches off the wheelbase. You've seen the cones they make us drive through, it used to be you just had to climb insanely verticle stuff, now there's a lot less of that and a lot more insanely tight turns instead. If I was not competing I would leave the wheelbase at 107ish and leave the 38" tires on. Works great as a trail rig, just not the ideal combo for a competition rig.
As for wanting to go shorter it is a turning thing. I want to be able to turn tighter than I currently can, and really the only way to do that is to knock a few inches off the wheelbase. You've seen the cones they make us drive through, it used to be you just had to climb insanely verticle stuff, now there's a lot less of that and a lot more insanely tight turns instead. If I was not competing I would leave the wheelbase at 107ish and leave the 38" tires on. Works great as a trail rig, just not the ideal combo for a competition rig.
James K
NO, I'm always like this
- Location
- Taylorsville, Ut
supergper said:
106 w/38's
I want alittle more wheelbase to keep the front from unloading on steeper climbs that it does now. if that makes sense.
I guess this wasn't exactly directed towards going longer
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Jinx
when in doubt, upgrade!
- Location
- So Jordan, Utah
the cj5 has 84" with 35s
the cj8 has 107" with 39.5s
the cj8 has 107" with 39.5s
James K
NO, I'm always like this
- Location
- Taylorsville, Ut
Shawn said:
yes there is that too.
but the front is pretty light on mine :-\
shrubeck
Mmm Commulicious
- Location
- Grand Junction
About 85 right now on the CJ5. I'm sure it's just a matter of time til I flip it over backwards, but that's what the full cage is for.
Eventually I will probably do a 1/4 rear and stretch it to about 100", but that is WAY down the road.
Eventually I will probably do a 1/4 rear and stretch it to about 100", but that is WAY down the road.
pics
Here are some pics of the stretch job. Most of the body work was done by Matt Ballard, including the paint. The hardest part was moving the fenders rearward 6-1/2". The outer fender was cut out, and a piece from another 'Runner spliced in in front of it. The back half of the inner fender was moved back, and some sheet metal was grafted in to fill the gap, as seen in the picture. Once all the welding was done, the whole thing was fiberglassed to fill all the cracks and stuff.
For the spring hangers: Use the stock hangers for the front of the spring, and 56" AllPro rears. Move the shackle hanger back as needed. You will get less lift this way, since usually with the longer springs you would move the front hanger forward and down. So, a 5" spring would only give you 4" of lift if you do it like I did.
Since the rear shackle hanger would have ended up halfway off the frame for me, I welded a piece of 2x3" (3/16 wall) tubing inside the framerail, and extending back a few inches. I also used another piece of 2x3" tubing to drop the hanger a bit to give me more lift.
Here are some pics of the stretch job. Most of the body work was done by Matt Ballard, including the paint. The hardest part was moving the fenders rearward 6-1/2". The outer fender was cut out, and a piece from another 'Runner spliced in in front of it. The back half of the inner fender was moved back, and some sheet metal was grafted in to fill the gap, as seen in the picture. Once all the welding was done, the whole thing was fiberglassed to fill all the cracks and stuff.
For the spring hangers: Use the stock hangers for the front of the spring, and 56" AllPro rears. Move the shackle hanger back as needed. You will get less lift this way, since usually with the longer springs you would move the front hanger forward and down. So, a 5" spring would only give you 4" of lift if you do it like I did.
Since the rear shackle hanger would have ended up halfway off the frame for me, I welded a piece of 2x3" (3/16 wall) tubing inside the framerail, and extending back a few inches. I also used another piece of 2x3" tubing to drop the hanger a bit to give me more lift.
Thanks for the pics...that thing looks sweet. That's exactly what I've been wanting to do to mine. I already have orbit eye springs on the rear, so I'll probably have to fab some type of mount up for the front of the springs so that I don't lose any lift.
Who is Matt Ballard? Does he work at a shop, or just on the side? I'll need someone to patch mine back together. I have a spare 'Runner to cut pieces off of, just need someone to do the sheetmetal welding.
Who is Matt Ballard? Does he work at a shop, or just on the side? I'll need someone to patch mine back together. I have a spare 'Runner to cut pieces off of, just need someone to do the sheetmetal welding.
cuts
This photo shows where we cut and welded. On the drivers side, the welds in front of the fender can be straight down since there's no filler door.
Oh, yeah, Matt is my buddy - he does work on the side at his house. If you're interested, pm me your number and I'll have him give you a call.
Cody
This photo shows where we cut and welded. On the drivers side, the welds in front of the fender can be straight down since there's no filler door.
Oh, yeah, Matt is my buddy - he does work on the side at his house. If you're interested, pm me your number and I'll have him give you a call.
Cody
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Maverick
old-school
- Location
- Anywhere, thanks to my geeky droid
131.5"
oh, and 104"
(both rigs have 3 rows of seats and 14bolt rear-ends with OEM lockers)
oh, and 104"
(both rigs have 3 rows of seats and 14bolt rear-ends with OEM lockers)