Electric Fuzzball

Electric Fuzzball

I was also thinking about converting the back like this. Re-purposing the lift gate as a wall behind the passenger seats and creating a tailgate that swings open. Something similar to this...

I feel like I'm breaking the hearts of many Jeep people by even thinking of doing this.

SirCyber

I, to, have never considered going lower, but that's because of the purpose for mine. You have stated your purpose clearly. One thing you will want to do is a "tummy tuck" on your Jeep. Basically, you raise drive train components, such as clock your t-case. Maybe a motor mount lift. Skid plates are going to be your new best friend here, so don't skimp on them. At least do something to protect your diffs! As for the rest, I would bag it, front and rear. If you are Fab conscious, go with a coil-over rear, and bag it. It's gonna be hell finding the parts to lower, so a bunch of what you are doing is gonna have to be custom fabrication. There really isn't, to my knowledge, much for lowering your Jeep.
from a unique perspective, I look forward to watching this grow. Naysayers aside, the mechanically inclined here can still help you, and bouncing Fab ideas may end up being similar enough to draw from some similar parts and practices. Such as raising your steering for over-the-knuckle (common because we need the clearance for going over obstacles). Post up! Should be fun!

andrewmp6

The rear do a 3 link or torque arm both are easy and will handle amazing if done right.

Bugout4x4

I get it... You just want to keep the shell and subframe it up. I have done a few of these myself. And I am totally appreciative that you are willing to go against the Political Correctness of those like myself who think Jeep=4X4=offroad and that a "Jeep" is just not meant to be a street car. I guess it's the history of the name Jeep and it's tradition.

And honestly I can't judge too much, I am actually eyeballing my 74 Dodge Dart thinking it might get all the 4x4 running gear and new engine from the xj I rolled recently. And it is a street car and wasn't meant to be a 4X4. But I can seat 6 in it and I have a lot of Grandkids.

But I just can't help thinking that if too many people like what you did to that "jeep" it could become airborn and start a pandemic of whacked up slammed Jeeps... And Fiat has done enough damage to the traditional values of the idea behind what a Jeep was designed to be. I am somehow feeling everything that is Jeep is now about gone and soon to be extinct.

It's not you... It's me and my hangup in wanting to save a dying species...

Tbone289

I totally get this. But, honestly I don't think what the OP is wanting to do is any worse than someone hacking up a decent XJ to make a buggy, and I don't hear anyone around here complaining about that. At least with what the op is doing, it still resembles an XJ and could be modified back into a stock XJ with some effort. A trail-damaged XJ-turned-buggy is pretty much beyond the point of return.

If the OP were to use a 2WD XJ as the base for his mods, there's even less harm in it...

Bugout4x4

You are right of course... But this statement you make exposes similar sentiments as mine right? lol

What he wants to take on in design and engineering here deserves huge appreciation and merit! But for me it's like watching someone toss a saddle on a horse backwards and cinch it down. lol Like I say... My hang up...

Tbone289

Like I said, I totally get it.

Bugout4x4

One thing positive for sure about it... It's not illegal to do this... YET. Why not do it and enjoy it while we still can in whatever form we like.

Tbone289

Damn good point. It's hard to believe the nannies haven't cracked down on this yet...

Bugout4x4

Don't say that too loud... All it takes is a whisper...

DarthRacer

I like Jeepspeed projects so go for it man!!
Keep the 4wd for the AWD handling capability. The under the axle leaf mount is definitely worth a try. For the front you could see if a shorter spring a shock setup could work, but would probably have to fab up some different links to make sure camber is correct.

5-Speed

I really like the fact that you want to do something different with your Jeep. Turn it in to something that it was never meant to be. Thats right down my alley! Designing the suspension/subframe from scratch is like rocket science though. Sure you can just slap something together that would "work" but it wont be right. If you have never done something like it before, please spend countless hours researching everything, especially if you go with a double wishbone style suspension. That is by far one of the hardest to set up correctly. Ask me how I know....

Do yourself a favor and read up on the stickies on this link. There is a boatload of great info.

http://www.pro-touring.com/forums/21-Suspension

That Datsun would be pretty sweet. CAD modeling is where all the fun is at. My car is actually going to be the next featured car on engine swap depot!

Electric Fuzzball

Oh jeez, that's a lot of info. I'll have to look into it as I learn because I don't fully understand a lot of the content yet.

That being said, engineering skilled brains run in the family. My dad graduated top in the state for his Masters, even with 3 pre-teens bugging him almost every night.

Electric Fuzzball

To be clear, this project isn't starting for at least a year. I just started looking into schooling and won't have the cash or time to do it until I'm not paying for school.

The Jeep needs TLC until then. It has an oil pan leak, a rear diff leak, a head gasket leak, bad brakes, a slow acceleration, and some pretty shoddy suspension components.

When the time does come that I start anything project-wise, I'll make a link to a project thread and link it here. Until then, keep it coming with the info.

I'd love some welding and fab guides, especially body repair stuff.

*edit* Also, are Mahle gasket kits good? Are Fel-Pro kits better?