well if you are asking me you are asking the right person. i've done it. i cut my jeep in half and lengthened it to a 100" wheelbase. here you go
pro's
stabilitly, more room (depending on how you lengthen it), better on hills, better on climbing ledges, did i mention it is alot more stable!? longer rear d/shaft. more room for mufflers, track bars etc under there, etc.
con's
not as small of a turning radius, more sheet metal to ding (depending on how you do it).
i love my 100" wheelbase ALOT more than i did the stock one. it is alot more capable and less roll happy ( i sya that but i only layed it over when it was stock and i have rolled it completely since i have lengthened it). if i had it to do over io wouldn't lengthen the body but rather cut the rear of the back fenders out and slide the rear back. why? well like i saidd i have more sheet metal to ding and now with a rolled body i would have to buy another tub and then cut and lengthen it and i'm just not going to do it. i will run it like it is until i decide to build something else. this might not be an issue for youe if you don't wheel hard like i do. if you are just looking for more room the cut and lengthening is a good thing.
brian wilson
80 cj5 "high 5"
stretched to 100" wb
vortec350/4L80E/d300/d60fr/14br/detroits/4.56/38's
I used the stock length frame, moved the front axle forward 4.5" with Alcan 50" SOA springs and moved the rear axle 5" back with 1/4 ellip springs and 4 link. Its very stable with the longer wheelbase(93"), 7"lift and fullwidth fullsize axles.
Alot of the top ARCA guy are running about 94" to 96" wheelbase.
true on the break over angle. i thought of that but when i actually went to typing i didn't add it to my list. i run 38.5 sx's and it isn't too bad and it actually wasn't too much of a problem with the 35's i used to run after i tucked the tranny/x-case up higher into the frame rails.
brian wilson
80 cj5 "high 5"
stretched to 100" wb
vortec350/4L80E/d300/d60fr/14br/detroits/4.56/38's
Thanks for the help. 100" takes you right past a cj7 in wheelbase. Why not just start with one of those??
More info on those Alcon SOA springs and your 1/4 elliptical would be great. How stable is that set up at highway speeds??
Brian, where did you lengthen the tub?
Thanks Miles
There is more on my suspension on my site, just click below, Its very stable on the highway with a little body roll in tight corners. It's the best setup I've used, so far.
BTW, Some wheelbase info,
Pre '72 CJ5s - 81",
Post '72 CJ5s - 83.5",
CJ6 - 101",
CJ7 - 93.5,
CJ8 - 103.5
Whats the wheelbase of a stock Scrambler????, oh wait a minute, I think I saw a post in this thread with the weheelbase numbers, now if I can just find it,,,hmmmm. LOL, I think wc got his point across..../wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
If you go to CJ6 length, you can use the soft tops and other items made for the CJ6. I think there are even companies that make the quarter panels for the CJ6. I know it leaves more chance for body damage, buy unless you are going really hardcore, that is not as much of a concern. If you are looking for a rock buggy, the cut-out fenders and the modified suspension are the way to go. But, law enforcement officers seem to have a problem with funky looking rock buggys bouncing down the road. If you are looking to still drive the Jeep on the road, and want the wheelbase without having to buy a lot of custom parts, the CJ6 length is ideal.
Cage Up, Wheels Down
Jeepfiend
All my Jeeps are in pieces! Except for one!!
-snip- But, law enforcement officers seem to have a problem with funky looking rock buggys bouncing down the road.-snip-
The police in my area stopped me to ask if I could install lifts, tires, engine perfomance mods, on their rigs. They use their personal SUVs for their patrol vehicles. But your right, there are a few that get upset, probably just jealousy <G>.
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