Colorado Daily-Driven Trail Warrior V2 - 2006 LJ

[Claytone]

Nice work so far!
FYI hockey pucks work great as lower bump stops in the front, they are 1" tall. Stack as needed to figure out how much dimension you need. You can always get something fancier if desired. Just return the upper side to the stock configuration.

 

[tworley]

It is what it is. Line up the cup and the perch (or where your bumpstops should be) and then set your front pinion. You can drop the pinion as low as it will go without binding at full droop. That will give you your best caster and you should be golden. If you get vibes, raise it bit by bit till you don't.

Years ago I was telling people the same--maximize your caster by dropping the pinion as low as it will go at full droop without binding. Caster and vibe angle should be set at ride height, that gives you the most ideal operating angles for the driveshaft (and where most of the operating will be done at). Droop should be checked just to make sure the driveshaft has enough slip and nothing more. IIRC, my front pinion is at 0° at ride height.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Years ago I was telling people the same--maximize your caster by dropping the pinion as low as it will go at full droop without binding. Caster and vibe angle should be set at ride height, that gives you the most ideal operating angles for the driveshaft (and where most of the operating will be done at). Droop should be checked just to make sure the driveshaft has enough slip and nothing more. IIRC, my front pinion is at 0° at ride height.

you have a HP30, right? So you're running 9° of caster?

 

[zachpeakee]

Appreciate the Birthday wishes!

As far as the axle shafts go, I feel as though it was the smartest call. A few more dollars, for a pretty significant strength/reliability upgrade.

At the end of the day, the the “extra savings” won’t get me home. That peace of mind is priceless.

 

[tworley]

you have a HP30, right? So you're running 9° of caster?

Sounds about right for an HP30.

My HP30 has all aftermarket bracketry though. I dont remember if I measured caster and if I did, what it would be on my setup.

 

[bobthetj03]

Happy Birthday! Good choice on the axle shafts. I bought the same ones for my rear Dana 44. They have been solid so far.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Sounds about right for an HP30.

you must have amazing return to center, haha.

I took the opposite approach...I started with my pinion only 2° lower than the driveshaft and then adjusted until the return to center was acceptable. I ended up with about 4.5° of caster, and pinion is about 4.5° lower than driveshaft.

Not likely to change it now, but next time I have occasion to mess with it I might try it. With the axle rolled back a bit farther I might be able to squeeze in a few more threads of approach angle in the lowers as well.

 

[tworley]

you must have amazing return to center, haha.

I took the opposite approach...I started with my pinion only 2° lower than the driveshaft and then adjusted until the return to center was acceptable. I ended up with about 4.5° of caster, and pinion is about 4.5° lower than driveshaft.

Not likely to change it now, but next time I have occasion to mess with it I might try it. With the axle rolled back a bit farther I might be able to squeeze in a few more threads of approach angle in the lowers as well.

The steering seems to float a bit. I don't know how much of that is related to whatever my caster is, or how much of it was due to a worn out box, steering shaft and trackbar. I am eager to get my rebuild finished so I can see what has changed.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

The steering seems to float a bit. I don't know how much of that is related to whatever my caster is, or how much of it was due to a worn out box, steering shaft and trackbar. I am eager to get my rebuild finished so I can see what has changed.

I'd put my money on the worn components. 9° of caster should feel like a BMW. I'm exaggerating a bit with that, but not much.

 

[JMT]

I'd put my money on the worn components. 9° of caster should feel like a BMW. I'm exaggerating a bit with that, but not much.

I went to 6.7* caster and I'm very happy. The 'return to center' sensation is felt initially, but wears off till you drive another TJ with less. 7* was factory. I'm sure you probably already know that!

I wouldn't be happy with 4.5*. Minimum suggested for 35's is about 5*

 

[zachpeakee]

I just want to give a massive thank you..

@Mike_H sent me a stock application JKS track bar to get me out of my drilled frame mount dilemma with the TJ, for a price I couldn’t say no to.

@freedom_in_4low sent me some lower perch bump-stops, so that the LJ doesn’t suffer from the same spring/bumstop contact that the TJ did.

I seriously appreciate it more than I could explain through text on a screen. If you guys are ever around Colorado Springs, beer is on me!

I knew I made a good choice leaning 1/2 the Facebook groups and joining WTJF instead. You guys are pretty okay around here.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I just want to give a massive thank you..

@Mike_H sent me a stock application JKS track bar to get me out of my drilled frame mount dilemma with the TJ, for a price I couldn’t say no to.

@freedom_in_4low sent me some lower perch bump-stops, so that the LJ doesn’t suffer from the same spring/bumstop contact that the TJ did.

I seriously appreciate it more than I could explain through text on a screen. If you guys are ever around Colorado Springs, beer is on me!

I knew I made a good choice leaning 1/2 the Facebook groups and joining WTJF instead. You guys are pretty okay around here.

Glad to help!

And I agree, it's way better here than the dumpster fire FB groups.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I just want to give a massive thank you..

@Mike_H sent me a stock application JKS track bar to get me out of my drilled frame mount dilemma with the TJ, for a price I couldn’t say no to.

@freedom_in_4low sent me some lower perch bump-stops, so that the LJ doesn’t suffer from the same spring/bumstop contact that the TJ did.

I seriously appreciate it more than I could explain through text on a screen. If you guys are ever around Colorado Springs, beer is on me!

I knew I made a good choice leaning 1/2 the Facebook groups and joining WTJF instead. You guys are pretty okay around here.

Also be careful on that beer offer, I come through Colorado Springs about twice a year!

 

[Mike_H]

I just want to give a massive thank you..

@Mike_H sent me a stock application JKS track bar to get me out of my drilled frame mount dilemma with the TJ, for a price I couldn’t say no to.

@freedom_in_4low sent me some lower perch bump-stops, so that the LJ doesn’t suffer from the same spring/bumstop contact that the TJ did.

I seriously appreciate it more than I could explain through text on a screen. If you guys are ever around Colorado Springs, beer is on me!

I knew I made a good choice leaning 1/2 the Facebook groups and joining WTJF instead. You guys are pretty okay around here.

Don’t thank me until it gets there!

 

[zachpeakee]

Also be careful on that beer offer, I come through Colorado Springs about twice a year!

Lucky for you, they serve beer here 365 days a year.

I'm sure they'll have enough leftover for "twice a year".

 

[zachpeakee]

Don’t thank me until it gets there!

The generous action is still worth a thanks, whether UPS decides for it to arrive or not!

 

[Shank]

Lucky for you, they serve beer here 365 days a year.

I'm sure they'll have enough leftover for "twice a year".

What if we provide nothing, do we still get a beer in Colorado Springs?

 

[Rancho LJ]

I just want to give a massive thank you..

@Mike_H sent me a stock application JKS track bar to get me out of my drilled frame mount dilemma with the TJ, for a price I couldn’t say no to.

@freedom_in_4low sent me some lower perch bump-stops, so that the LJ doesn’t suffer from the same spring/bumstop contact that the TJ did.

Amazing! Great to see this kind of support.

 

[bobthetj03]

I think it is about time for an avatar change.

 

[Wildman]

Amazing! Great to see this kind of support.

Happens around here fairly often... We all try to share parts if needed & you happen to have spares. Parts off my Jeep have found their way to a few other members.