So I wanna build LA's... any advice?

95GranZJ

95GranZJ

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Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Location
Winston Salem
Just what are some idea's? I'm running stock axles right now in my 95GC (D30&D35) I want to just do LA's in the front right now... I'f i bought Clayton's 3Piece Crossmember, and Made my LA's to their specs... could i just use the factory Axle mounts??
And if anyone has some advice on how to go about this, please let me know.
 
95GranZJ said:
Just what are some idea's? I'm running stock axles right now in my 95GC (D30&D35) I want to just do LA's in the front right now... I'f i bought Clayton's 3Piece Crossmember, and Made my LA's to their specs... could i just use the factory Axle mounts??
Click to expand...

Yes. The radius arms are fairly simple to build as long as you are/know someone that is a competent welder. You could either do the two uppers like Claytons or weld the one upper directly to the lower like Iron Rock Offroads "Iron-Y". If you end up going with a single upper its worth it (IMO) to upgrade the D30 UCA bushing to one of the Currie Johnny Joints that press into the housing. Also wouldn't be a bad idea to look at using something like the JKS mini LCA skids strengthen brackets on the axle, they're pretty thin (could be done cheaper DIY with some 1/4" plate).
 
Mess up your angles meaning your pinion angle? Caster? or what?

The Iron-Y (not truly a 3-link, still radius arm) setup would function the same as Claytons, but with only 1 upper it would relive some of the twisting stress associated with that type of suspension.

Thought of another piece of advice, make sure you build some adjustment in your arms so you can change length, and pinion/caster angle.


I was the black '00 Grand Cherokee with the ARB bumper out at the Flats last weekend BTW. I thought your ZJ looked good. :driver:
 
^ I would love some pictures if you dont mind, and did you do a 3 link?? and I'm not going to do the rear until i find a steal on an 8.8

StrokedWJ: like would the axle "wrap" at all with a 3 link? I did plan on somehow making the arms adjustable with Johnny Joints just like the claytons. and thanks man! yours was sick! I dont see many other grands wheelin, and I'm a growing fan or WJ's!
 
my front is 4 link and works well. when you get close i can give you the specs such as separation and anti dive.
ai284.photobucket.com_albums_ll35_novacayne75_Picture054.jpg
 
separation and anti dive?? And Where do your upper LA's connect to on the unibody? and is there a cross member i could get and work from there?
 
yea theirs a lot more to it than just slaping some links on it unless your just tyring to flex it out like most people do. ill have it back on the lift to inspect after the toy run and i can get you more pics of my mounts. in the mean time try to download a 3 link calculator and play around with it and it will give you a better understanding on how it all works.
 
yeah, haha I know its pretty complex to build LA's. and i want it to still be DD worthy. But i'll download one today and mess around with it.
 
if done correctly it will dd better. the only regret is that i went radius arm on the first go round and i seen lots of problems due to that but now im very happy with the current setup.strokedwj also has a well setup jeep that drives very well.
 
Anti Dive is the rigs ability not to dive when the brake is applied. This is due to the amount of separation at the axle and the frame between upper and lower mounts. The upper and lowers are not parallel on a horizontal plane. You will also need to figure out how much shorter or longer your upper will be than the lowers. Allot of these measurement will be determined by what you Jeep will allow you to mount the mounts at. I would have loved to do mine a little different but I was limited in space.

Here is a lay out of what I did on my TJ, Front 3 link

ai298.photobucket.com_albums_mm279_burrellsjeep_LinkLayout.jpg_feaae4af3781db992523e63230987175.jpg
 
Mike, your TJ is what inspired me! haha i had been following your build thread for a while and was like, i have a welder and tools, and a shop... I want LA's... then the thought "eh, why not something different like a 3 link?" and Novacayne75 suggested it again, so... im gonna go with it haha. And I'm really not sure about what all this means in the graph. LA's are something i dont know much about. Would you be willing to meet sometime or direct me on how to get started?
 
Are you going to make it to the Toy Run in Mountain City next weekend? If so I am sure there will be some time we can toss a few Ideas around. I am Camping Friday, Saturday and Leaving Sunday Morning. PM me for contact info if you can make it.

Here is a Link to the 3-Link Calculator Download

Link to 4 Link Calculator

The 4 link is a little more advance software than the 3 link, Its a little nicer.
 
Haven't thought to much about the toy run... I might have to try and make it. But lemme see if I can make it, and i'll start messing around with the calculators. Thanks for the links!
 
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