TJ Wheelbase Stretch/Longarms

jeepinmatt

jeepinmatt

#1 WEBWHEELER
Moderator
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Location
Stanley, NC
Ive decided I need another foot of wheelbase. Coincidentally, I also need to replace my existing Teraflex longarms because they are worn out and non-serviceable. I would like to extend the body and the frame in the rear by about 12 inches to add some cargo space, move the rear axle back about 4 inches, and the front axle forward about 8 inches. Ive thought about moving the front forward more to help with weight distribution (currently 2800 front, 2300 rear). Essentially I would just be adding some length to the frame/body around the rear fenderwells somewhere, and then moving the axles. Give me your thoughts.

Also, what kind of joints do you guys use and like? I want something that is rebuildable.
 
There is a great post on Pirate done by a guy that did basically the same thing. He has kids, but wanted cargo room so he extended the frame, added sheetmetal between the door and rear wheel well, built a new cage that covered the rear, then pushed the axle back. Damn good job. Which I could remember what the title of the post was. :shaking:
 
55/45 weight dist isn't so bad IMO...

Can you go 8" forward? I haven't looked closely at a side of a TJ frame in a while, but I think you're gonna get into the less-arched part of the frame...

Steering interference (unless full-hydro?) too, perhaps?
 
I stretched my wheelbase ~8"...but all in the rear...

front was too much work for my wallet this go 'round...

we just chopped the frame right where it comes up for the rear axle, and tubed it the rest of the way...

didn't do anything about extending the tub, though...

we also used my RE arms, and just lengthened them (sleeved them inside and out)...

a couple pics of the process:

DSCN1387.JPG


(stock RE arm on right, my new lowers on left...hopefully they don't bend :D)


DSCN1370.JPG


DSCN1415.JPG



and here's how it sat before we finished rear corners and then some more tube work after it got rolled a couple weeks later:

DSCN1428.JPG


all the pics here:

http://wrangler.rutgers.edu/gallery...001-TJ/Fuel+Cell+Coilovers+Wheelbase+Stretch/


the stuff for the rear starts on page 5...

the 3-link and coilovers meant not having to fool with new coil buckets or with relocating the track bar...


Greg
 
Back
Top