Wrangler Resurrection is alive and kicking

 

Back at the beginning of February I wrote a blog about an old Wrangler and a new project called “Wrangler Resurrection” well it has not been forgotten, it is just that work has got extremely busy (no complaints) so my projects get moved onto the back burner. But I have been collecting parts ready to start, the rear suspension is going to be the first item to get a makeover. The Wrangler is already fitted with a Rubicon Express long arm kit, but to upgrade the rear suspension I am going to convert it over to a triangulated upper link, and remove the rear trac-bar. This should free up the suspension giving greater articulation, I am going to use a Rock Krawler weld-on rear axle mount and brace.

 

 

The upper spring mounts are also going to be altered using the
Black Diamond's Coil Correction Kit, this will corrects the curvature of the rear spring. Meaning they can do there job more efficiently, the problem is even evident at 3" of lift height, and becomes more of an issue as lift height increases. This incorrect coil loading results in lost ride height and a diminished "too soft" spring rate.

I Another item on the rear that is going to get modified is the shock mounts, at present I am undecided with which manufacturer to go with, but the intent is to turret the shocks outboard of the chassis. This will allow for greater articulation, and I will be using a Currie Enterprise coil spring retainer kit to make sure I do not pop any springs.

As for the front suspension I would like to convert over to coil overs, as I intend to change the front axle, to a high pinion unit then this will be the time I would do the work. There are many kits on the market to do this, again I am looking at using the Rock Krawler set-up. This involves cutting off the original spring/shock mounts from the chassis and welding in complete new mounts. Part of my reason to convert over to this style of front suspension is with the front diff angled correctly, the springs are bowed a considerable amount with with a 5.5” lift. One option is to cut the spring mounts of the axle and reposition them, but that seems like the ideal time to think of an upgrade!

Another item that is getting a serious makeover is the steering linkage, as once a Wrangler TJ (or a Cherokee XJ and Grand Cherokee ZJ) is lifted more then 4” then the steering is a compromise. There are many kits on the market is you own a LHD Jeep, but for us RHD owners the market is very limited. For the pass 12 months I have been trying different configurations and I am at long last very close to an answer. My main itinerary was it should be a bolt-on set-up, with the minimum of part changes, so it could be done by an owner of a vehicle rather then having to take the vehicle to a specialist workshop. As soon as I have tested the set-up, ( I have plenty of volunteers who want to test it for me) and am happy with the results, I will be publishing it here first. So as they say watch this space.

All parts that I am using in this project are available from FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd so if you have any questions then feel free to contact me. Also don’t forget to check out our face book page  

Technorati Tags: Jeep,Wrangler,Suspension,FTE 4x4 Specialists,Rock Krawler,Rubicon Express,Steering

Replacement Bushings for Rubicon Express Control Arms

Daystar is now offering heavy-duty polyurethane bushings available to replace the rubber hourglass bushings used in the company's long-arm and short-arm kits. Specially formulated from a unique new blend of polyurethane, these bushings have much of the same elasticity as the original rubber bushings, yet are capable of surviving the most demanding off-road conditions.

Designed as direct replacements for the larger and smaller "hourglass" bushings used in upper and lower Rubicon Express control arms, no modifications to the arms themselves will be needed and even the original sleeves can be re-used.  They are packaged in sets of eight; four large and four small bushings in each kit.

As soon as these are available we shall be stocking these at FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd. We are hoping to be able to supply the bushes individually, rather then as set of 8.

Technorati Tags: Rubicon Express,DayStar,FTE 4x4 Specialists,Wrangler,TJ,XJ,ZJ,JK,Bushes

A New Year & A New Project (Well Almost)

It is 15 years ago since I purchased my first Jeep a Wrangler TJ it was 3 months old, before I had even purchase the Wrangler I knew I was going to modify it. Up until that point I had always had Land Rovers, I had always wanted a Jeep but having moved on from the Series Land Rover onto the Defender I did not want to go back to leaf springs. I was at an off-road event at High Wycombe in 1996 with my girlfriend (now wife). She came over and told me about this Jeep that was giving a display in the arena, and how well it was going over the obstacles on its coil spring suspension, (after I explained to her that Jeeps used leaf springs, I then had to eat humble pies when she dragged me over to see) It was the new Jeep Wrangler TJ that was going to be launched in 1997, being driven by a gent call Barry Stellard from Jeep. After the display I went over to Barry to have a chat with him about the new Wrangler, after a long chat he invited me down to Dover were Jeep where based to have a look around.

So began my affair with the Wrangler and Jeep.

I still have my first Jade Wrangler a 4.0l Sport, over the years it has be lifted 3 times starting with a Pro-Comp kit which stayed on the vehicle for about 3 month, then moving onto Rubicon Express 4.5” short arm kit and then onto the Rubicon Express 5.5” long arm kit, which is still runs, it has many more modifications that I will list as this project evolves. Well I am sad to say that for the past 5 years it has sat in the corner of my yard being neglected, and somewhat forgotten about, as I have had other Jeeps (another TJ, a Cherokee XJ and a Wrangler JK) to play with, but I do miss driving it, and the looks it use get. So I have decided to give it a revamp and update.

So begins project Resurrection, progress will be slow, as I have to fit the work in between jobs and family (how things change!).

 

At Tixover off-road site, with the 4.5” short arm kit, sitting on 33 x 9.50 x 15 on Mach rims Justine driving (Wife).

Please check in at FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd to follow the project.

Technorati Tags: Jeep,Wrangler,FTE,Rubicon-Express,off-Road

Wrangler JK H/D Rear Axle Spring Mounts

Rubicon Express have available Wrangler JK heavy duty weld on spring mounts and bump-stop pads for the rear axle. The brackets are weld on only and allow corrected positioning for coils and bump-stops after rear pinion has been rolled up for proper drive shaft angle in lifted vehicles. Bump-Stop pad relocation will eliminate any interference with rear track bar bracket. HD Rear Coil bracket will eliminate rattling springs at full suspension droop with the screw down coil retainers.

RE9830

RE9831

For more details and prices contact steve@fte.co.uk at FTE 4x4 Specialists Ltd

Congratulations to Dust Junkies Racing for their win at the 2010 Baja 1000

Report courtesy of Rubicon Express

Congratulations go out to Dust Junkies Racing for their win at the 2010 Baja 1000. Their Jeep Wrangler #1706 fitted with an “off the shelf” Rubicon Express long arm suspension won 1st in it’s class. Team owner Scott Hartman was quoted earlier in the year saying “Rubicon Express is the only suspension that I would race with. We have over 5000 race miles on a TJ long arm kit with zero failures” I guess we can make it closer to 6500 race miles now that the Dust Junkies took the podium both days at the Bluewater challenge in Parker, AZ and have now finished this year’s gruelling 1000 miles of Baja!  Read the entire Dust Junkies Race Report here