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patj patj
New User | Posts: 7 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 03/30/08
10:50 AM

I've benn a jeep owner for many years and owned cj5's, 7's,a commanchee, 95 wrangler, and my present, an 02 wrangler.
I never really did anything to them in the line of modifications. just bumpers and lights.
This time I'm adding a few things that are new to me.I am installing a 2" coil spacer lift and 32x9.5 super swampers. All this is to make the stance a little more agressive. The only wheeling I do is some rutty back roads by my camp,something that a true off roader would just scoff at.
My question is.
1. are the 32" tires gonna be ok? I got 9.5s thinking that the tire won't rub on tight turns,am I right?
2. How important is a transfer lowering kit? Not just the vibes,but exessive strain on parts.
3. I noticed when looking at the underside that the previous owner REMOVED the sway bar connections. How much of a problum is this.  


 
SnoMan
Enthusiast | Posts: 611 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 03/30/08
02:26 PM

Not sure what you mean by "are 32's gonna be alright" but I can clear the air about a few other things for you. On the T case lowering, this is done to minimize drive shaft angles because Ujoint are no constant in velocity across joint when they bend (the further they are bend, the more the speed across it varies twice per revolution) Having some CV joints install on drive shaft is a better solution long term. On the strain, where this comes from is that people lift them and install big tires and do not regear axle most of the time which means more average torque has to be carried by drive train and shafts just to deliver the same ground effort as before and through in some high angle ujoint in drive shafts and they can have a much shorter life and vibrate too. If you take the time to properly regear it and put some CV's in too if needed because of angles, you will not have any shorter drive train life or increased strain on it either.  


 
patj patj
New User | Posts: 7 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 03/30/08
03:26 PM

What I mean with the 32s is are they gonna bang the tops of the fenders if I hit one of our infamous potholes or any sort of rut.
And as for the sway bars, I've herd both sides of the story as to how important they are, and seeing how I'm putting the lift on now, should I go with something a little heavier? I don't need the disconnects because I don't need the articulation, she's more for the better stance in looks.Also hearing a lot about "death wobble". should I have it alligned with the bigger tires or the ones that are on there now? (p235 75r15)
Sorry if I ask so many basic questions, but all these sort of items are all new to me.Any advice that this old timer gets is greatly apprecated.  


 
SnoMan
Enthusiast | Posts: 611 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 03/30/08
08:51 PM

No need to apologize for asking questions, that what this is all about. On the swap bar, myself, I tend to take them off, not for articulation but for a better ride. Unless you are softly sprung and/or and have a high CG, you can generally get by fine without them. On the subject of "Death Wooble". This is caused by a improper caster/camber/toe combo with caster being the biggest factor. When it come to alignment, factory spec are for stock vehicles with stock tires and heights. When you lift them and run big tires you should tweak these setting more sometimes, especially on small Jeeps. Generally you want a bit more camber (1/4 to 1/2 degree) and more positive caster (about 1/2 to 1 degree) if you are having stability issues. Also watch toe-in closely and shoot for around 1/32 to 1/16 tops toe-in. (close to the lessor amount the better) This is because with higher toe angle, shearing forces in tires and their belts and road can cause them to shift at times and start the wobble as tire treads try to hop/skip/squirm a bit relieving toe in stress buildup.  


 
patj patj
New User | Posts: 7 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 04/01/08
06:53 PM

Thanks for the advice! Lift is on, tires on, aligned as per suggestions.
Hit highway speedsof 60-65, no wobble, but... boy do they sing.
They dont rub on full turns, no vibes and looks simply baddass.
Driving it now brings back those old days of driving the old jeeps of my youth witch I'm afraid to say was pretty long ago!
Again thanks.  


 
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