SJ’s TJ

I think you know what I’m saying. I would cut in front of the arch, add a 5” section. And move the arch back 5”, then cut 5” off the back of the frame. That puts the arch back further in relation to the tub and would put the frame arch right in front of that filler tube. With a stock tank there is definitely not enough room for the tube to exist with a frame right in front of it.

That's what I did to mine. The GR tank filler outlets fit but it is tight. Let me look and see if I have any pictures of the tank sitting in there.


Edit: The brace blocks the vent line tube just a bit but it'll still fit.

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So using the 4-link calculator, it said my old short arm setup had 165% anti-squat and a 19* roll axis. This setup raised the frame mounts a little, but the axle mounts more to get to 73% anti-squat and 3* roll axis. I can move the frame side upper down one hole and that changes the anti-squat to 90% and keeps the roll axis at 3*, but moves the instant center from 102" to 74". I'm not smart enough to know what's most important. I'm going to run it where it is and see how it performs knowing I can make adjustments if needed.

I only know enough to be dangerous, but all things being equal I’d rather have the higher anti-squat. That said, the link calculator is not spot on accurate, because most of us don’t know our actual center of gravity and take a guess - which I believe impacts most if not all of the calculations.

I do think that relative changes based on link locations and lengths are accurate. So, lowering (corrected thanks to Starkey) your frame side upper should increase your anti-squat - you just don’t really know if you are going from 73 to 90, or from 90 to 115. I agree with your plan - make the change and see how it works. I’ve always looked at the calculator as a guide, but it has worked well for me doing it that way.

Hopefully someone will chime in - happy to be corrected.

I’m really enjoying your build.
 
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I only know enough to be dangerous, but all things being equal I’d rather have the higher anti-squat. That said, the link calculator is not spot on accurate, because most of us don’t know our actual center of gravity and take a guess - which I believe impacts most if not all of the calculations.

I do think that relative changes based on link locations and lengths are accurate. So, raising your frame side upper should increase your anti-squat - you just don’t really know if you are going from 73 to 90, or from 90 to 115. I agree with your plan - make the change and see how it works. I’ve always looked at the calculator as a guide, but it has worked well for me doing it that way.

Hopefully someone will chime in - happy to be corrected.

I’m really enjoying your build.

Thanks dude, I love your build as well. I'm really interested to see how much more stable the rig will be with the stretch, outboard and rear AR. If I feel the rear end "sitting" to much when I climb then I'll adjust as needed. At the end of the day if I need to cut off some axle brackets and re-position them, then I will. I've gotten to the point that it's not hard, just a bit annoying. To think I got it right the first time is pretty naïve any way. I've had a blast working on it and can't wait to try it out in a couple weeks.
 
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When I did my coilover build over on jeep forum, I posted up my calculator results and got some very good advice from folks who knew a lot more than I. The suggestions I got did make a difference.
 
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I only know enough to be dangerous, but all things being equal I’d rather have the higher anti-squat. That said, the link calculator is not spot on accurate, because most of us don’t know our actual center of gravity and take a guess - which I believe impacts most if not all of the calculations.

I do think that relative changes based on link locations and lengths are accurate. So, raising your frame side upper should increase your anti-squat - you just don’t really know if you are going from 73 to 90, or from 90 to 115. I agree with your plan - make the change and see how it works. I’ve always looked at the calculator as a guide, but it has worked well for me doing it that way.

Hopefully someone will chime in - happy to be corrected.

I’m really enjoying your build.

Agree with all of that, except raising the frame side upper decreases anti squat.
 
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You are absolutely right. Mispoke there. Thanks Stark. I'll correct it just for clarity.

Agree with all of that, except raising the frame side upper decreases anti squat.

The way I would increase my anti-squat from 73 to 90 would be simply moving the frame side upper link from the top hole to the middle hole. That's simple enough.
 
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Alright, another update. The last piece of the puzzle before my Rausch Creek trip was installing a Currie front Track bar. No pictures as install was straight forward and easy.

Now to how she did during the RC trip. We headed over to the NE sections and quickly put her through her paces. We ended up running every red and black trail over there except 41 and Crucible.

The setup ran better than I could have ever dreamed. The rig so much more stable and just inspired confidence. Whether it was big rocks, steep climbs, steep descents with big drop offs the rig just shined. So stable and planted. Easily just crawling through, very few sent it moments. I'm just so pleased that all the hard work and cost paid off big time.

I also felt like I wasn't slamming into rocks as much as before. I think I touched the rear bumper and gas tank skid twice total all day. I still need to do an inspection, but it was just a smooth ride all the way. Off-camber was super solid and never had any feeling of going to far over. Just planted, I know I've said that a lot, but I can't get over how much better and solid it felt,

I'm not sure if it was the stretch, the mid-arm upper triangulated arms, the outboarded shocks, rear AR paired with the front AR, or everything together. It was just awesome and made wheeling that much more awesome. Again, just so pleased it all paid off and my welds held together. I'll report back after inspection to confirm though.

Sarkis
 
Just did a full visual inspection and everything looks great. My newly welded driver middle Barnes body mount took one direct hit and didn't phase it one bit. As suspected, the gas tank skid a couple minor scrapes, but nothing of note. The new departure angle worked like a charm. The rear lower LCAs had no scuffs and the rear axle shock mounts are mostly unscathed. The Jeep looks like it felt. Even the diffs have minimal scraping. Just a clean day from a way more predicable rig. Such a delight!
 
I’ve been driving the TJ more and I’m getting tired of the loud exhaust. I basically just put a 4” glass pack behind the cat. So I got a thrush turbo that fits like a charm:
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For now I just have it going down from the end of the muffler. Here is the view of what I need to think on for the rest of the exhaust:
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I’m wondering if I can go straight back and up where tub goes higher. There would be like back to back tight 90s. Then go along the top, then under the crossmember and out the back under the frame. I’m thinking of getting a builders kit and see what I can do.
 
I thought I’d be doing this over the winter, but I have serious issues so here we are. I went ahead and did a mid-arm to the front of my TJ. Since my rear stretch was put together with various parts, I did the same here. TMR brackets, Johnny Joints, aluminum links from Busted Knuckle and a Savvy front truss. I followed the Savvy mid-arm to a tee, including vertical separation for the frame upper mount. Here are the results:
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I’ve only taken for a spin on the road and so far so good. Drives straight and “feels” smoother and more balanced. Can’t wait to get out on the trails.
 
I thought I’d be doing this over the winter, but I have serious issues so here we are. I went ahead and did a mid-arm to the front of my TJ. Since my rear stretch was put together with various parts, I did the same here. TMR brackets, Johnny Joints, aluminum links from Busted Knuckle and a Savvy front truss. I followed the Savvy mid-arm to a tee, including vertical separation for the frame upper mount. Here are the results:
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I’ve only taken for a spin on the road and so far so good. Drives straight and “feels” smoother and more balanced. Can’t wait to get out on the trails.

Looks great! Sure sure, Mid arms don't do anything for ride quality... But there is a difference on the way the Jeep drives. The way it corners, goes through intersections, enters drive ways etc. No one ever talks about that.
 
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Looks great! Sure sure, Mid arms don't do anything for ride quality... But there is a difference on the way the Jeep drives. The way it corners, goes through intersections, enters drive ways etc. No one ever talks about that.

For my build, a huge difference in ride quality happened when I did the rear stretch/mid-arm/outboard. That made a world of difference. Now doing the front mid-arm, the rig feels balanced front to rear. I'm still running Rancho 5000X shocks up front for now. I'll see how those perform longer term and then move to matching Fox 2.0's that I have in the rear when they become available some time next year. Once that is done, I'm sure the balance will be even better.
 
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