YJ front axle stretch

1993yj

.
Location
Salt Lake
So I just got done moving my rear axle on my YJ back to give me a wheelbase of 101" about two months ago. Now I am thinking that I want to move the front axle forward at least 1". Mainly because I am sick of my tires rubbing on the back side of the fenders, and I dont want to lift it anymore to run larger tires. Clearance at the tops of the fenders is not an issue, just the back. If I can get more than that fairly easily, great. I have heard that some people run Wagoneer springs as they are the same length so they will bolt up in the stock locations, just offest to move the axle. Anyone done this up front on a YJ? And how much will I have to mess with my steering if I try this approach?
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
I'm not sure how 'stock' my perches are, but I'm running Waggy springs in the front. From what I've read, the Waggy springs are a bolt-in and will do exactly what you want them to do.
 
Location
Murray
That's what I've done. They bolted right in. The shackles sit at a little more of an angle now but that's about it. I haven't done anything with my steering yet so I'm not sure what to tell you but I don't think you'll run into any problems. Do you have high steer? Are you sprung under or over? (over I'm sure). You're welcome to take a look at my jeep sometime if you want, just let me know.

By the way, what did you do to the rear to stretch?
 

1993yj

.
Location
Salt Lake
I am SOA, but not high steer. How much stretch did you get in the front by doing the waggy springs? And if I am running 2" springs right now, do you know what size waggy springs I would want to run to get the same to 1" more lift? And who makes aftermarket waggys? Also, what about front wheel hop? Right now I only need a traction bar in the rear, but I am guessing after this I would need a front one too.

For my rear I did XJ springs. I thought about the waggys in the rear, wouldv'e been easier, but I like how it turned out.

mbryson: what did you do in the rear of yours?
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
1993yj said:
I am SOA, but not high steer. How much stretch did you get in the front by doing the waggy springs? And if I am running 2" springs right now, do you know what size waggy springs I would want to run to get the same to 1" more lift? And who makes aftermarket waggys? Also, what about front wheel hop? Right now I only need a traction bar in the rear, but I am guessing after this I would need a front one too.

For my rear I did XJ springs. I thought about the waggys in the rear, wouldv'e been easier, but I like how it turned out.

mbryson: what did you do in the rear of yours?


Reversed XJ springs. I'm at 101" wheelbase. Seemed pretty nice in the half hour I had it on the trail. :D I did seem to have a little front wheel hop, but didn't have time to really check it out (running out of coolant will do that to you.). I believe I'll add a front traction bar in the near future, but there's LOTS of other things to attend to first......
 

1993yj

.
Location
Salt Lake
I first tested mine last Sat night at 5mp. Rear worked great for me too. While running through Rattle I noticed a big puddle of coolant and at first thought it was mine, but luckily not, especailly since I didnt touch the engine on the last round of tinkering. First time I have been able to get up Wayne's World too, although that was my first attempt when it hasnt been raining or snowing.
 

rockreligious

NoEcoNaziAmmo
Location
Ephraim
Im running 44044 rancho 2.5 lift waggy springs front and rear of my YJ stretched my wheelbase to 105, but I did a shackle reverse and relocated all the hangers and shackles. I have it sprung-Under with slightly longer shackles..Clears 38.5 swampers with full width axles, and the only time I get axle hop is in deep snow. my front is moved forward 3.5" and my steering arm barely misses my front diff cover at full driverside compression. I had to go to bilstien 5125/14.3 shocks, tons of flex. I think being sprung UNDER is the only reason I dont get axle hop, cause they are really soft springs.
 

1993yj

.
Location
Salt Lake
I am wondering, since the pin on the springs will be offset towards the front, I will probably have to cut off my old perches and weld some new ones on at a bit of a different angle to keep all of my other angles correct and not turn my pinion down. I could use some long perches up there anyways.
 

KToy

Well-Known Member
Location
Herriman, UT
no you cant do that i dont think with the diff side of the perch.

you either cut and turn you knuckles or you use shims. weld them to the axle if you need to like jeff.

also dont forget to extend you driveline.


another thing you can do to correct the pinion angle is to use longer shackles in the front to bring the diff up. sorta like a toy when we build a drop hanger in the front for lift and to correct the pinion.
 
Location
Murray
1993yj said:
I am SOA, but not high steer. How much stretch did you get in the front by doing the waggy springs? And if I am running 2" springs right now, do you know what size waggy springs I would want to run to get the same to 1" more lift? And who makes aftermarket waggys? Also, what about front wheel hop? Right now I only need a traction bar in the rear, but I am guessing after this I would need a front one too.

For my rear I did XJ springs. I thought about the waggys in the rear, wouldv'e been easier, but I like how it turned out.

mbryson: what did you do in the rear of yours?

I have stock wagy's in the front minus one leave with no wheel hop. I have xj rears in the rear with one leaf added to level it and I definitely need a traction bar in the rear. I get a slight rear end high look. Put up some more pics of your jeep, I'd like to see how it turned out. How did you do the rear shackle mounts with the XJ springs? I'll have to measure but I think I added about 2 inches with the waggys.
 
Location
Murray
i'm not sure about your perches. I was doing SOA at the time so I had the perches off already. I'd say check it out and see how it lines up. It may be that all you have to do is add some shims.
 
Location
Murray
mark, how does yours ride? Mine seems to have no weight in the rear and is bouncy as heck! I'm starting to wonder if it's the shocks. I only have like eight psi in the rear tires too and that's on the road. The front is definitely smoother than the rear.
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
crimsonride said:
mark, how does yours ride? Mine seems to have no weight in the rear and is bouncy as heck! I'm starting to wonder if it's the shocks. I only have like eight psi in the rear tires too and that's on the road. The front is definitely smoother than the rear.


Mine seems pretty good considering I don't have any shocks in the rear yet (rectified as soon as I get Jake to get me some welding gas). I'm pretty happy with it for the hour or so I've driven it. Seat time will tell.
 

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
nvrstuk said:
very interesting post. . . where did you guys get your waggy springs? Also, how much were those rancho springs?
Thanks!



RME of course. :D Where everything else on my rig is from.

I've heard of people buying the JC Whitney replacements for Wags. I think they're $120 per or so.
 

1993yj

.
Location
Salt Lake
KToy said:
no you cant do that i dont think with the diff side of the perch.

you either cut and turn you knuckles or you use shims. weld them to the axle if you need to like jeff.

also dont forget to extend you driveline.

another thing you can do to correct the pinion angle is to use longer shackles in the front to bring the diff up. sorta like a toy when we build a drop hanger in the front for lift and to correct the pinion.

I am pretty sure that cutting off the perches that are on wont be a problem. The ones that are on I welded on a few years back doing the SOA. I think that will be much easier than messing with the knuckles. And I would prefer to just weld on "anit-wrap" perches rather than use shims. Shouldn't take too much extra time. As for longer shackles, they are already too long on jeeps as it is. And I already have at least 12" of slide in my drive shaft. Had it extended a while back too.

crimsonride said:
I have stock wagy's in the front minus one leave with no wheel hop. I have xj rears in the rear with one leaf added to level it and I definitely need a traction bar in the rear. I get a slight rear end high look. Put up some more pics of your jeep, I'd like to see how it turned out. How did you do the rear shackle mounts with the XJ springs? I'll have to measure but I think I added about 2 inches with the waggys.

I will post some pics on here after safari when I get some. Leaving today. Really the only thing now is figuring out for sure what size springs I will need to get so it sits level, maybe a 1/2" lower in front. Right now the rear is about 1" higher, and that is fine by me. However, when I did the rear XJ springs somehow my measurements and calculations were way off and I got springs that were way too tall originally, and then had to re-sell them and get stock ones from Quadratech. Losing about $200. That sucked and I would like to avoid that one again.
 

rockreligious

NoEcoNaziAmmo
Location
Ephraim
nvrstuk said:
very interesting post. . . where did you guys get your waggy springs? Also, how much were those rancho springs?
Thanks!

I got my waggy Rancho 44044's from Summit racing $116 each, but I have heard that the price has since gone up to $130 each $15 shipping. couple of days to ship.
 

rockreligious

NoEcoNaziAmmo
Location
Ephraim
1993yj said:
I am pretty sure that cutting off the perches that are on wont be a problem. The ones that are on I welded on a few years back doing the SOA. I think that will be much easier than messing with the knuckles. And I would prefer to just weld on "anit-wrap" perches rather than use shims. Shouldn't take too much extra time. As for longer shackles, they are already too long on jeeps as it is. And I already have at least 12" of slide in my drive shaft. Had it extended a while back too.



I will post some pics on here after safari when I get some. Leaving today. Really the only thing now is figuring out for sure what size springs I will need to get so it sits level, maybe a 1/2" lower in front. Right now the rear is about 1" higher, and that is fine by me. However, when I did the rear XJ springs somehow my measurements and calculations were way off and I got springs that were way too tall originally, and then had to re-sell them and get stock ones from Quadratech. Losing about $200. That sucked and I would like to avoid that one again.

I used a front axle out of a ford, while it was still in the ford I used a angle finder on top of the knuckle, wrote down the degree, pulled it out and when I put it under my jeep I cut off old perches, then bolted up axle with new perches and u-bolt, rolled the diff until I had the desired degree on the knuckles then tacked the perches to the tubes, dissasembled and fully welded perches, that way I didnt mess up my caster.....Im off for Moab right now also, Ill try and post up some pix when I get back....have fun.
 
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