Jeepster rockcrawler

#1 07-12-2002, 11:16 PM

Has anybody on here swapped to full width axles on a jeepster? My buddy wants me to help him build his 72 into a crawler. He has a Ford 8.8 rear and a D44 front, he plans on using YJ leaf springs built for a 3.5" lift with a spring over to net about 5.5" of lift. The fabrication work of mounting the axles is not a problem, the problem is setting up the steering. He wants to convert to power steering, and I don't know where to send him for info. I suggested a full hydraulic setup, but he's afraid of the cost. Any ideas?

His goal is 16" of wheel travel, with 35+" tires. The body is already trashed beyond repair, so it's not a sacralidge (sp?) to cut it up. I'm planning on running the plasma cutter along the back side of the fenders to remove all the excess metal for tire clearance. I'm also planning on taking some serious metal out of the rear quarter panels before fabricating the rear bumper or exoskeleton.

Thanks for the help,

Mitch
Tucson, AZ.

#2 07-13-2002, 08:21 AM

You will find some good info here but if you really want some good replies you might want to fill out your profile. They seem to be a little particular about that here. If your doing full size axles you will have to go outboard with the front spring hangers. as for the steering I think most guys are using a Sagina steering box to do the conversion.

BillM · #3 07-13-2002, 09:32 AM

Here is a pic of my 71 with 12" off the rear section, 6" off the frame and full size waggy axles with wrangler rear leafs. Hope this helps!

Bill

BillM · #4 07-13-2002, 09:33 AM

Heres another from the back. I'm running 35" tires and have 17" of travel at the rear and 18" at the front on each side.

Bill

Bobster · #5 07-13-2002, 01:22 PM

Hey Bill, where's the pics of the candy apple paint job?

Hurcules · #6 07-13-2002, 05:40 PM

Dang Bill that thing has changed recently!

3.5" lift wrangler springs SOA are going to get you around 9" of lift, not 5.5". Full hydraulic steering is a really bad idea for anyting that EVER sees the street or gets driven over 30 MPH. It will steer quicker in one directon than the other and it is always variable steering, like it might take 2 turns from center to get to full left steering lock, and it might one take 1.5 turns to get it back to center. It is really spendy to get rid of that problem. A hydraulic assist is the way to go, you could get all setup for around $200-300 and have great steering with almos the same power.

BillM · #7 07-13-2002, 05:49 PM

Its changed alot recently. I found a centered rear d44 from a Grand Wagoneer at the local junkyard. I'll be getting it tomorrow morning. $51 + tax, complete. It'll replace the offset d44 in there now. It isn't too bad though. It vibrates between 30-40 mph then goes away.

The Candy apple red came out great! I'll take some pics of it.
If anyone is looking for an offset d44 rear, I'll have one for sale next week. Won't have gears in it but I have a set of 3.73's or 3.54's for it, your choice. Asking $150, you pick up in northeast Pa. Will not ship.

Bill

BillM · #8 07-13-2002, 06:43 PM

Bobster, I took 2 pics of it for you to see. Let me know what you think.

Bill

BillM · #9 07-13-2002, 06:44 PM

Heres a side shot. I have 3"x3"x1/4" thick angle iron welded across the bottom of the tub for rocker skids. I tried it out and it'll save the tub a little better this time around.

Bill

Tim · #10 07-13-2002, 11:16 PM

Looks mighty stout Bill. Whacha figure the track measures, 'bout 58"-59"?