OP
Has anyone ever had a lowering a TJ thread?
- Thread starter BendLarry
- Start date
That I'm not totally sure about. Depends if the OP had the drive shaft spec'd for a 5.5" lift or not. The drive shaft might be too long. Take note of where the drive shaft sits on the slip yoke at ride height, then compare that once you lower it down. There needs to be a certain amount of slip travel. Worst case, you could take it to a drive line shop and have it shortened a bit if it becomes a problem.
OP
It’s a crawling monster as she sits right now but wash board roads will loosen poor dental work![emoji40]
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Maybe. I'd wait till after you lower it and them measure the pinion. Get a good digital angle finder. This is what I use,
One of these will work too,
OP
I have one of those, the non digital type. Good advice. I’m thinking the drive shaft may become one of the bigger issues.
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OP
I hear that. Some good "C" rated tires dropped down to about 20psi. better shocks and your rig will float over those wash boards. Disco'ing the front sway bar helps a lot too. Just recently spent 2 days exploring my local national forest, and the forest service roads were pretty bad. I dropped my 33" KM2's down to 18 psi, disco'd my front sway bar and was pleasantly surprised how well these new Rancho RS5000X shocks have come into their own. Even my wife commented that I wasn't beating her up too much. That's money in the bank right there!
OP
Can't quite tell from the pic, but it looks like the shock might have the part # stamped "N??" Curious to know what length shocks are on there. Also, they look like maybe 1st gen Nitros.
OP
In Moab I went down to 18 psi and was worried I would break a bead . I don’t have an on board compressor yet. 18 psi was still harsh comp to other Jeeps I had rented a driven on the same trails and roads.
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I think tires will make a huge difference, so I say smart move. Unless those OME shocks are the wrong lengths, they should ride pretty good. Mine did.
OP
Another observation. When we were crawling in Moab the only time I have ever thought this jeep was smooth was going over boulder fields. The suspension really floated over the rocks. At those speeds the tires were less of a factor.
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OP
Bob we are on a roll here. I really appreciate your input. Another suspension related observation. When rolling slowly in my driveway, I turn my steering stop to stop, it fells like there might be a caster or camber issue. When I used to build custom Harley’s from the frame up, you had to have the rake and trail perfect on extended forks so that the front wheel wouldn’t flop to one side or the other when you let go of the handle bars at a stop. It kinda has that feel. I don’t know if this is normal for Jeeps or some kind of adjustment. The tires are wearing good.
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Yep, sounds like the OP wanted a super tough tire to bash into the rocks without damaging them and gobs of suspension articulation to hump over the big stuff. It's all a trade off. You can get a happy medium me thinks. When I went to Moab, I didn't really feel I was at much of a disadvantage, but I didn't have time for some of the really tough stuff like at Area BFE and such. Top of the World was a blast.
With that much lift I imagine your caster won't be ideal. Does it wander much on the freeway? How about return to center when making a slow hard turn from a stop sign? Your caster and toe will need re-adjusted after you lower it.
OP
With rental Jeeps and now my Jeep, I probably have around 15 total days on the Moab trails. I have completed many of the intermediate trails and a few more extreme trails, skirting some of the more crazy obstacles. We really enjoy Moab.
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Alright Larry, play detective with me. Just below the "Old Man EMU" stamped on your shock is a "N??" part number. ie, N66, N67, N66L. Let's get that number.
I very much enjoyed my stay there, and plan to go back in 2019.
I very much enjoyed my stay there, and plan to go back in 2019.
TJ2
TJ Expert
Lot's of us started at 2" lift, then maybe 4" upgrade, then maybe 1" body lift so to have a 35 tires fits.
You are going the opposite, if just the rough ride you don't like, why don't you just change your shocks to blistein or better and buy a progressive spring on top of it?
We all drool for a lifted wrangler and you're not liking your already lifted rig. lol
You are going the opposite, if just the rough ride you don't like, why don't you just change your shocks to blistein or better and buy a progressive spring on top of it?
We all drool for a lifted wrangler and you're not liking your already lifted rig. lol
OP
I will see what I can do. It’s not easy to get my phone in there.
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