I recently bought a xj that took a hit to the front axle. I replaced the transfer case and bought all new steering components and control arms. Only thing holding the axle in right now is the springs. My question is what steps to take to reset the axle correctly and make it track right. I plan on fabbing new control arm brackets because they were mangled on the drivers side axle. Any help is greatly appreciated

 

if the hit was bad enough to mess the front end up that bad the axle is probably bent and the frame side mounts not straight. there really isnt a "reset" just bolt it in and do an alignment.

 

The axle and frame are fine it mangled the bracket on the axle that the control arm connects to. I need help on what steps to start with setting the axle from scratch. Im not just going to have one fabbed bracket and the rest stock. Im thinking of making my own adjustable arms. Btw it has a 4.5 lift if it changes anything

 

Might be easier to go with a long arm upgrade. Thats if money isnt tight.

 

It is lol.

 

So would be finding a d30 for $150 or so from a pull yard or craigslist and bolting it in be out of the question? That would take away any questions and would be a weekend job at the most.

 

Now that ive bought the jeep and all the other parts....yes. And i have a bunch of steel i can build with and like the fabbed look and strength

 

so you like the look of it being fab'd up, but cant do it? im confused. if there is one mount on the axle that is mangled, cut it off and reweld it in the same spot. if you want that done on both sides, cut both off and weld new mounts on. stock controls arms have no adjustment, neither does a stock trackbar. bolt those on. then do an alignment which is just adjusting the tie rod and drag link.

 

Rebuilding the mounts is pretty easy just time consuming.
Just did mine.

 

I didn't like the LCA mounts I made so I made new bigger ones.

 

Thats what im lookin for. Making the mounts is not what im stuck on. Where to set the axle is where im stuck. Do you set the truck on stands, measure axle to axle and thats it? No. Im sure there are some steps to follow to ensure correct tracking and alignment. Im a welder/fabricator by trade and making a couple mounts is far from the hard part. I want to do this project the right way. I understand stock mounts aren't adjustable. I have the material to make my own set. With a 4.5" lift is it necessary? How do you ensure the axle is set center from side to side? These are the things i am asking.

 

I used this as a reference after I measured my stock dimensions.

 

An adjustable track bar is used to center the axle. I got one on here for 80$ and put a new end on it. Works great.

 

I imitated these. Made everything at home in the garage. I would have made some lower profile ones, but didn't see them until a few days ago.

 

This is exactly what im looking for. I appreciate the knowledge. Ive messed around with rear axles in muscle and drag cars but never moved them around and in nervous about the whole front axle thing. What should i set my wheelbase at? I would just use the stock stuff but if the other brackets are tweaked a little that im not seeing i will have it all screwed up