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07-16-2009, 04:45 PM
|  | Journeyman | | Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fountain Hills Arizona
Posts: 138
| |  Suspension swap
Ok so I need to swap my leaf springs on my YJ... but before I start all that funny business...
Coil springs...
How would I change my suspension to use coil instead?
Average costs to do this conversion? (all work done myself)
Pros? Cons?
Thanks guys!
__________________
1990 YJ 258 l6 3.5 BDS lift
/l , [____],
l---L--[]lllllll[]-
()_) ()_)==@=)_)
|
07-16-2009, 04:57 PM
|  | Official Curmudgeon | | Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas
Posts: 4,340
| |
This will get you started. It’s a Throttle Down Kustoms (formerly Advanced Frame Works) hybrid frame. It uses TJ suspension parts.
They introduced this just as I ordered a frame for my CJ. If I had known ahead, I’d have been collecting TJ suspension parts. Throttle Down Kustoms Hybrid Frame
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07-16-2009, 05:17 PM
| | Journeyman | | Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fountain Hills Arizona
Posts: 138
| |
Hmmm thats actually a nice thought, a bit out of my budget... Would it be possible to fabricate the suspension part of the that frame only... as to avoid a new frame?
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1990 YJ 258 l6 3.5 BDS lift
/l , [____],
l---L--[]lllllll[]-
()_) ()_)==@=)_)
|
07-16-2009, 05:37 PM
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Belleville, Illinois
Posts: 9,616
| |
Anything is possible. And it's easy too - see my signature. 
There's no reason you couldn't take a YJ frame, cut the spring mounts off and weld new link brackets on. Take measurements from a TJ, with standard or long-arm suspension as you wish. But figure on stripping it to bare frame first. And also figure on it being a lot more difficult and complicated than it seems it should be. You'll likely run into problems with exhaust, brakes, steering and a lot more before you're done. And you might also find that there are important pieces of frame right where you need to put attachment points. If you move one attachment point, you have to move all of them.
In the end, it might be easier and cheaper to get the frame and suspension from a burned TJ and put your YJ body on it.
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EVERYTHING's easy for the guy who doesn't have to do it. B. Dash Fabrication |
07-16-2009, 07:20 PM
|  | Old Hand | | Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 695
| |
You could look here for brackets and all the other builder parts you will need. Coil Spring Options
You'll also need to figure out how many links you want, whether they will be triangulated, wishbone, radius arm, etc.
There is a spreadsheet that someone built that is a four link calculator which can help you determine link length, geometry, mounting locations, etc.
I have not built a link suspension so this is only a guess. I would figure that if you bought new fabricated brackets, but built your links, and purchased used springs, that you would be in the $1000 range.
-- mike
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07-16-2009, 08:13 PM
| | Journeyman | | Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fountain Hills Arizona
Posts: 138
| |
Hmmm I'll talk to my buddy up the street, he can fabricate ANYTHING I would need, just gotta talk to him about it.
I might just stick to my leafs for now, we'll see.
Coils are a lot more complicated then leaf springs it seems.
__________________
1990 YJ 258 l6 3.5 BDS lift
/l , [____],
l---L--[]lllllll[]-
()_) ()_)==@=)_)
|
07-17-2009, 01:22 PM
| | Journeyman | | Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fountain Hills Arizona
Posts: 138
| |
So I decided to stick to leaf springs for now, im going from a sagging 3.5 to a 4 when ever I have the chance, thats after I take 2 classes before the regular school year starts and after my alternator.
I was thinking either superlifts or skyjackers.. I do not know much about superlift's springs though.. my buddy has a full set of spare 4 inch superlift springs so thats why I ask.
And how will bumping from 3.5 to 4 effect me in terms of needing a SYE? I already have the tranfercase drop and all that from my 3.5... so will I just need to put the new springs on and im good to go or will I need more than that?
__________________
1990 YJ 258 l6 3.5 BDS lift
/l , [____],
l---L--[]lllllll[]-
()_) ()_)==@=)_)
|
07-17-2009, 02:31 PM
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Belleville, Illinois
Posts: 9,616
| |
That seems to be one of those questions that can only be answered by a test. Some guys have put a relatively mild lift and had driveshaft vibrations, while others have put on a much taller lift with no trouble. If the 3.5 was OK new, the odds are that another half inch won't hurt, but you won't know until you try.
I think sticking with leaf springs is wise. Suspension systems are much more complicated than the seem at first glance, even leaf spring systems. On our Jeeps the details of the suspension aren't as critical as on a car that will drive, corner and brake at high speed, but you could still screw things up if the conversion were done wrong.
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EVERYTHING's easy for the guy who doesn't have to do it. B. Dash Fabrication |
09-04-2009, 02:22 PM
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Boise Idaho
Posts: 3
| |
I would go to extreem 4x4 from the powerblock TV the did a special on suspension cleaverly named "Suspension 101" they havea lot of really god information that can help you decide on which Suspension you need for your aplaction. Xtreme 4x4 - Episodes | PowerblockTV |
09-29-2009, 10:54 PM
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: pennsylvania
Posts: 3
| | coil conversion
I changed mine 4 years ago. I used the Pro Comp kit, price then was 1500. It rides great on highway and trails but doesn't really flex like i had hoped. I'm planning on doing some major upgrades to get more flex but I have to decide on how far I want to go with it.
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