Break-over and departure angles—I'm an odd duck

gaabbee said:
I know ball joints are the issue but the 60s are another 5k per axle. I'm having the same internal argument. What's your thoughts of just running 35s and then have a spare set of 37s for the harder trail rides?
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Although it was with 35s, I tried the two set of tires thing. It turned out to be nothing but a pain. I've also wasted enough money on modifications to learn that I'll spend the extra $5k and be done. When I am ready to buy, I won't spend another dime on any front axle with 1/2 ton outers. Kind of the same for the rear, if I'm putting a 60 in, it's going to be a full float.

FWIW, I made myself dizzy looking at all the possible alternatives. In the end, I'm back to what I knew all along. Do it right, or wait until I can.
 
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gaabbee said:
Just change up your wheeling buddies. Join the JT clubs and you will feel like a god.
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I wouldn't give up on my buddies. They are an awesome crowd and I trust all of them 110%. That said, this gave me the laugh I needed! :giggle:
 
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mrblaine said:
Now we're gonna get the 44 rah rah crowd with there wholly unproven balljoint delete bullshit and here we go again. God dammit I am just fucking stupid sometimes.
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But they have to be the answer right? Then what about the unit bearing?
 
I know you want to stay with the LJ, but you can probably save yourself a lot of grief going to a TJ and running 35's with the clearances you described such as the SAVVY MUA, tighter bumpers, gas tank lift (or in the trunk area), raised body mounts, et. al. This isn't your first rodeo.
 
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Blackjack said:
But they have to be the answer right? Then what about the unit bearing?
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At the risk of offending someone who may be on the board, I got put through that wringer 4 times last week over brake kits. 2 of them were simultaneous.

What kit do you recommend for my 17" rims.

What tire size?

Thinking about 40's.

40" tires that bolt up to any TJ knuckle is a very dumb idea.

Then why do you sell a kit that size?

First, because I can, second because some folks have very heavy rigs on 35's and tow a small trailer so they need extra braking.

That really isn't a good answer.

Okay, well, folks do dumb things. I can not stop them from doing dumb things but I can stop them while they are doing it.
 
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JMT said:
I know you want to stay with the LJ, but you can probably save yourself a lot of grief going to a TJ and running 35's with the clearances you described such as the SAVVY MUA, tighter bumpers, gas tank lift (or in the trunk area), raised body mounts, et. al. This isn't your first rodeo.
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I came very close to buying the Jeep @Chris did. What stopped me is the fact that I've been through several TJs, but always come back to the LJ as my personal preference. Plus, I think if I got a second one again, I might end up single. I do love my Jeep, but I love my wife way more! (y)
 
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Irun said:
I came very close to buying the Jeep @Chris did. What stopped me is the fact that I've been through several TJs, but always come back to the LJ as my personal preference. Plus, I think if I got a second one again, I might end up single. I do love my Jeep, but I love my wife way more! (y)
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If you could sell your LJ for $25k you could build a TJ, but yeah, two Jeeps or one and your wife. I'd stick with the LJ and wife!

All you can do at this point with the LJ is polish up a few things or save and go hog wild.
 
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Irun said:
I came very close to buying the Jeep @Chris did. What stopped me is the fact that I've been through several TJs, but always come back to the LJ as my personal preference. Plus, I think if I got a second one again, I might end up single. I do love my Jeep, but I love my wife way more! (y)
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In our neck of the woods, this is the same as the short arm versus long arm talks. Short arms aren't bad enough to convert to long arms and long arms aren't bad enough to go back to short arms.
 
Irun said:
I wouldn't give up on my buddies. They are an awesome crowd and I trust all of them 110%. That said, this gave me the laugh I needed! :giggle:
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It occurs to me that you may be able to make use of a twin stick case, cutting brakes, and a selectable rear locker. Run rear unlocked, hit the front wheel lever, pull on the right cutting brake handle and pivot that bitch around. That solves any long wheelbase problem on turns.

With practice, you can do it fast and smooth enough that the folks behind you almost won't notice.
 
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Interesting thoughts. In the places I wheel I think the long wheelbase will be an asset more than a liability, and as long as I put some effort into helping the departure angle I don't think I'll miss the TJ. After all, I wheeled with a stock TRD tacoma and a JKUR this summer and the only rig that had trouble was the tacoma, whose approach and departure angles were trash compared to an LJ. He never had any issues with breakover.
 
Chris said:
Funny you mention this. I was wheeling with @starkey480 a few weekends ago, and during all that wheeling the one thing that became very obvious to me is that my SWB TJ had a great advantage in that situation over an Unlimited.

The Unlimited has much better road manners due to the longer wheelbase, and it has the longer driveshaft which is also a very nice thing to have. However, I am now 100% convinced that I am glad I did not buy an Unlimited, because if I did, I am absolutely certain that I would want to put 37s on it to makeup for the break-over angle not being as good as the TJ.

Of course just like you, I've watched @toximus and his build thread, and I've come to the conclusion that I would do it much like he did with RockJock 60 axles, coilovers, etc. Of course that would end up costing me probably 60k plus very easily.

So in the end, I'm glad I don't have that temptation, because I think everyone knows I'm crazy enough to do it.

Sometimes I tell myself I should have bought an Unlimited, but these are the times I tell myself I'm glad I didn't :LOL:

I'll live with the shorter wheelbase, as out here where I am in the desert it's been a real blessing so far.
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mrblaine said:
It occurs to me that you may be able to make use of a twin stick case, cutting brakes, and a selectable rear locker. Run rear unlocked, hit the front wheel lever, pull on the right cutting brake handle and pivot that bitch around. That solves any long wheelbase problem on turns.

With practice, you can do it fast and smooth enough that the folks behind you almost won't notice.
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Every time I have to back up to make a corner, I think about dropping my LJ off at your shop for an Atlas. Then, I remember it took me 30 seconds and I still have $4,000 in the bank...

I imagine we’re all in the same boat. Recognizing the shortfalls of our rigs on a few obstacles while we overlook all the great parts. I want a full float rear, RJ60, and an Atlas. Hell, I check Craigslist every night for a new rig! In the end, it’s a LOT of work and cash to get a new one set up.
 
mrblaine said:
At the risk of offending someone who may be on the board, I got put through that wringer 4 times last week over brake kits. 2 of them were simultaneous.

What kit do you recommend for my 17" rims.

What tire size?

Thinking about 40's.

40" tires that bolt up to any TJ knuckle is a very dumb idea.

Then why do you sell a kit that size?

First, because I can, second because some folks have very heavy rigs on 35's and tow a small trailer so they need extra braking.

That really isn't a good answer.

Okay, well, folks do dumb things. I can not stop them from doing dumb things but I can stop them while they are doing it.
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Were they want to run 20” rims too?
 
mrblaine said:
At the risk of offending someone who may be on the board, I got put through that wringer 4 times last week over brake kits. 2 of them were simultaneous.

What kit do you recommend for my 17" rims.

What tire size?

Thinking about 40's.

40" tires that bolt up to any TJ knuckle is a very dumb idea.

Then why do you sell a kit that size?

First, because I can, second because some folks have very heavy rigs on 35's and tow a small trailer so they need extra braking.

That really isn't a good answer.

Okay, well, folks do dumb things. I can not stop them from doing dumb things but I can stop them while they are doing it.
Click to expand...
I feel your pain. I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked to put a 1350 shaft in the front of a JK. First question I ask is if there are running a 60. When the answer is no I ask them why they want a shaft that is stronger than the axle they are attaching it to. Then I get the whole lecture about how I do not know what I am talking about because XYZdrivelines.com told them they have to have 1350.
 
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Blackjack said:
I feel your pain. I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked to put a 1350 shaft in the front of a JK. First question I ask is if there are running a 60. When the answer is no I ask them why they want a shaft that is stronger than the axle they are attaching it to. Then I get the whole lecture about how I do not know what I am talking about because XYZdrivelines.com told them they have to have 1350.
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They have more that one driveline shop on the peninsula? Lol
 
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