81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

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ross80truck
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

The plan was to run the 63" Chevy springs in the rear and then Wagoneer springs in the front. Then one day out of no where, these nice 14" travel King Coilovers showed up from GenRight and were just begging to be mounted under the Scrambler. Lucky for me GenRight also included in that same shipment a complete 3 link kit for the front.

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2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

So, once the decision was made to go 3 link in the front, it seems like for the next 3 months all we did was mock up the front suspension and flex it out and check travel. Then cut it all off and redo most of it to make it better. Then cut a little of it out and modify it and then find we need to start over. Ended up that instead of going 3 link we ended up going swing arm. The kit I bought was designed to be 3 link with a inline 6 engine. But, since I am running a V8 and I refused to part with my beautiful Headman headers, we decided to go swing arm. Here are some pics of one of the setups we tried.

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This ended up not being the ideal setup, but it still offered a lot more flex than I originally had. I will admit that as we designed and built the front suspension it was a kaleidoscope of compromises packaging issues. As stated before the headers were in the way to go with a 3 link. I could get more flex if I would run GenRight tube fenders, but I really want to keep the body unmolested, so the fender flares also restricted flex.

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Image
Priorities
1. God
2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301
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Jeff from Iowa
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by Jeff from Iowa »

I would link the rear at a minimum. the gm leafs are a cheap fix but they are sooo long when you stand your scrambler up on some rocks youll bend the front of the leafs and or just hump rocks as most leaf spring rigs do. Links would be easy to do since you've got it that far already.
90 Fsj. 5.3, 4l65,241. 4" lift, Custom valved Bilstien 5125 Shocks, Dakota Digital Dash, Bjs Radiator, Bjs aluminum tank,Viper remote start, power door locks, one touch rear window. Ac, Cruise, tow haul all work as they should. Fully restored oem wheels.
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

Here is a pic of the almost final setup. There was actually a little more it could flex, but we had an interference issue on our rear axle. When I originally mounted the rear axle I miscalculated and mounted the rear axle 3" to far to the rear. So, I was prematurely stuffing the rear tires into the fender flares. Once we move the rear axle forward then we should be able to get some more flex out of it. Right now in this picture I am clearing a 35" tire with ease by maybe 4". So, it should flex pretty good in the end even with the fender flares on.

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Priorities
1. God
2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

Jeff from Iowa wrote:I would link the rear at a minimum. the gm leafs are a cheap fix but they are sooo long when you stand your scrambler up on some rocks youll bend the front of the leafs and or just hump rocks as most leaf spring rigs do. Links would be easy to do since you've got it that far already.
I have definitely been kicking around linking the rear. I am definitely going to add a traction bar to the rear. I probably will leave it as it is for now. It would not be a big deal to go back and link it later on.
Priorities
1. God
2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

Here is another picture of testing the flex and interference. Not that it is any different from the pic above, I just like the way it looks.

Image

Here is a picture of what the ride height in looking like now. It is setting pretty high, but when we start adding bumper, winch, spare tire carrier, seats fuel tank, driver skid plates, rock rails ect. ect. I know that it will set lower. Right now the tires that are on it are 35x12.5r17 BFG KM2s. I am also planning on down the road running a 37" tire, so I do not want to drop it down to much either. The front coilovers are adjustable so, that is not a big issue to lower it there. The rear has a set of long shackles on it. So, I can shorten them to drop it in the rear as well. But I really think the rear will be fine when we start adding the tire rack to the back. One thing we also did while building the front suspension is gave it a 3" stretch. Not really noticeable, but it required quite a bit of work to move the steering gear box.

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Priorities
1. God
2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

Here are the hoops that attach to the front coilovers. We tied them in with a cross brace at the top and also gusseted them to the from. You can see the bump stops sitting in the center of the hoops. This is also a better picture of the serpentine belt kit. I bought it from Bulltear. I had a lot of trouble getting it all mounted. We had to make a few new spacers to get it all to line up. I have not started the motor yet since it has been installed. So, I may still have to adjust it some more once we fire it up.

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Priorities
1. God
2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301

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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by AwesomeJ10 »

looking good man!
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

With moving the front axle forward 3" we had an issue with the steering gearbox. Our solution was to cut out the factory cross member up front and build a new one which located the gearbox in the location we needed. We also fabricated a brace to support the steering gear box from the passenger side as well. This may be unnecessary since we are going hydro-assist, but we like to overkill things here.

You will have to ignore the little pictures drawn on everything all over my Jeep. I just bought a 2005 Subaru WRX STI, now my employees think it is funny to write STI on everything. I also just bought a standard poodle, which my employees say only homosexuals own. So, when there is bare metal on my jeep it inevitably will get a rainbow or flower drawn on it somewhere. We give each other a lot of crap here, but it is all in fun and makes the day go by quicker.

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Priorities
1. God
2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

As of now, I am waiting on parts from East Coast Gear Supply. I bought a Detroit locker for the front. We are also putting in all new bearings, rebuilding the king pin knuckles and brakes. This should allow me to finish up welding the front axle and get the hydro assist cylinder mounted. I will post more pics of this as we move forward.
Priorities
1. God
2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301
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Jeff from Iowa
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by Jeff from Iowa »

ross80truck wrote:
Jeff from Iowa wrote:I would link the rear at a minimum. the gm leafs are a cheap fix but they are sooo long when you stand your scrambler up on some rocks youll bend the front of the leafs and or just hump rocks as most leaf spring rigs do. Links would be easy to do since you've got it that far already.
I have definitely been kicking around linking the rear. I am definitely going to add a traction bar to the rear. I probably will leave it as it is for now. It would not be a big deal to go back and link it later on.
traction bar didn't make my rig any better

my brother had gm leafs on scrambler, 1 ton ones and he bent them a lot. we are in the 40 inch tire range on the rubicon and moab etc.
90 Fsj. 5.3, 4l65,241. 4" lift, Custom valved Bilstien 5125 Shocks, Dakota Digital Dash, Bjs Radiator, Bjs aluminum tank,Viper remote start, power door locks, one touch rear window. Ac, Cruise, tow haul all work as they should. Fully restored oem wheels.
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

Jeff from Iowa wrote:
ross80truck wrote:
Jeff from Iowa wrote:I would link the rear at a minimum. the gm leafs are a cheap fix but they are sooo long when you stand your scrambler up on some rocks youll bend the front of the leafs and or just hump rocks as most leaf spring rigs do. Links would be easy to do since you've got it that far already.
I have definitely been kicking around linking the rear. I am definitely going to add a traction bar to the rear. I probably will leave it as it is for now. It would not be a big deal to go back and link it later on.
traction bar didn't make my rig any better

my brother had gm leafs on scrambler, 1 ton ones and he bent them a lot. we are in the 40 inch tire range on the rubicon and moab etc.


Jeff, everything I have read about these springs seems to point to the main reason they bend is from flexing them past flat. What is your experience with this? As of now with the way my rig is setup, I am stuffing them into the fender right as they go flat and hit the bump stop. So, I was assuming I would not have bend problems since I was setting it up that way. Also, what kind of suspension did you change to after you pulled off the leaf springs?
Priorities
1. God
2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by Jeff from Iowa »

I went 3 link front 4 link rear. now in the process of tube frame build with my parts.

My brother bent a lot of those leafs in his scrambler, his were junk yard leafs and in the end he had huge thick one ton packs.

The issue is when you gear down and have traction (42" tires aired down) you can push the rear end forward while the jeep isn't moving forward because its on a obstacle it cant climb in front or whatever and the leafs bend. It has nothing to do with stuffing the tires or flexing.
90 Fsj. 5.3, 4l65,241. 4" lift, Custom valved Bilstien 5125 Shocks, Dakota Digital Dash, Bjs Radiator, Bjs aluminum tank,Viper remote start, power door locks, one touch rear window. Ac, Cruise, tow haul all work as they should. Fully restored oem wheels.
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

Jeff from Iowa wrote:I went 3 link front 4 link rear. now in the process of tube frame build with my parts.

My brother bent a lot of those leafs in his scrambler, his were junk yard leafs and in the end he had huge thick one ton packs.

The issue is when you gear down and have traction (42" tires aired down) you can push the rear end forward while the jeep isn't moving forward because its on a obstacle it cant climb in front or whatever and the leafs bend. It has nothing to do with stuffing the tires or flexing.
Jeff, thank you for the explanation. Unfortunately for me right now, I am going to have to stick with this setup. I am on a timeline and budget to get this thing on the road, or dirt, by the end of April. This may be something I have to come back and change latter.
Priorities
1. God
2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301
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Jeff from Iowa
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by Jeff from Iowa »

10-4 when I posted it looked like you were still bare frame and could possibly save you some headache.

It may work well for you, depending what you use it for.
90 Fsj. 5.3, 4l65,241. 4" lift, Custom valved Bilstien 5125 Shocks, Dakota Digital Dash, Bjs Radiator, Bjs aluminum tank,Viper remote start, power door locks, one touch rear window. Ac, Cruise, tow haul all work as they should. Fully restored oem wheels.
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Re: 81 Scrambler Build - I know its not an FSJ

Post by ross80truck »

Jeff, I am actually further along on the build than what this thread shows. I am trying to get it caught up to where I am at currently. So, right now the body is back on and we are going to start wiring, fuel lines and brake line soon. My guess is that for what I am going to use the jeep for this setup will probably work for me just fine. I will admit I am way overbuilding this for what I will use it for. We spend a lot of time on the beach in the summer and since we made it to the FSJ gathering in Ouray last year, I have a feeling that we will be back in Colorado a lot. My wife and I more than anything just enjoy loading the family up and exploring. So, like I said, I am most likely way over built for anything I will ever do with the jeep. But if I want to try something crazy, I should be able to do it and not brake anything. I do appreciate the advice and will keep an eye on my rear springs as I wheel it.
Priorities
1. God
2. Wife ( Sarah )
3. Children ( Lane & Dirk )
4. Work
5. Jeep

Man it is hard to keep them in the right order!

85 Wagoneer, 6bt, NV4500, Black Box, NP205, D60 front, Corp 14 rear http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1446
76 Cherokee Chief - Cheap Build - SOLD http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2605
81 Jeep Scrambler http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 301#p97301
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