The hydraulic setup is nice and clean, but another option I've been considering is heim joints. Some have suggested jsut cutting the ends off the stock linkage, threading, and using heim joints.

Brad (from the 4 Wheeling center of the universe, 4 corners USA)

 

i think heim joints is the way to go.. i had a friend that had them for many years.. he did rubicon, big bear, moab, tellico, uwharrie..etc etc etc..he never had ANY problems( i hate him)..but, we rolled that jeep BAD..I'll ask him what he is doing with that nifty linkage
~~Elusive~~
ps i think he ordered the whole thing as a kit from somewhere...I'll ask him

 

Hey,

Yeah, see if you can find out where he got it. I assume that if the one mount wasnt on the body it wouldn't be so bad. What about if I mounted it on the mount for the body mount? I am sure it would help right?

Thanks

1997 TJ w/ 33's & 1984 CJ7 w/35's
http://members.aol.com/a4x4jeeper/

 

Napa can order 1/2" heim joints for you. My counter guy found them in their farm parts catalog.
What I did was to take the bracket off the body, and weld in an extension on to the frame that held it to the same level. I cut the bottom end of the rod off, threaded it and put the heim joint on. I have not done the top joint yet, but it can be done there too. Besides a really smooth linkage, it also gives you an adjustable clutch rod.

'79 CJ-7

 

I just figured out what that heim joint is...lol

However, The problem area that I had/have is the the Clutch Bellcrank. When I flex the jeep it actually comes off the Pivot stud. Is there anything I can do to solve this problem? I also notice that there are 2 bushing clips in the catalog. I don't have them. Is that a problem? Thanks.

the bushings and bellcrank boots are going to be replaced this weekend. I hope maybe that will help also.

(normally i am under the jeep changing a starter, This clutch was a quicker fix lol)

Thanks.

1997 TJ w/ 33's & 1984 CJ7 w/35's
http://members.aol.com/a4x4jeeper/

 

What you have is an easy problem to fix. Pull that bellcrank out and remove the rubber boots. Those clips you are missing hold little teflon bushings in which have a tendency to crack and allow enough slop for it to pop out. Go to your local Jeep shop and get new bushings and clips for about $2 (4WD Hardware also has them but shipping would be more than the parts) and voila, problem solved.

 

THANKS!

I actually have them I just haven't put them in.. I hope it works.. lol

1997 TJ w/ 33's & 1984 CJ7 w/35's
http://members.aol.com/a4x4jeeper/

 

But, that still doesn't solve the major problem of the bellcrank setup. I like the setup, it is simple and simple to fix, but in the twisty stuff it still has problems. To make it work like you want it to, little heim joints instead of the goofy bent part with a cotter pin still would be the way to go.

Brad (from the 4 Wheeling center of the universe, 4 corners USA)

 

correct me if I am wrong. But the heim joints I saw in the mag. were for the rod that goes through the firewall to the bellcrank. how will they keep it from coming off the pivots? Thanks.


1997 TJ w/ 33's & 1984 CJ7 w/35's
http://members.aol.com/a4x4jeeper/

 

Brian, your'e right. The hiem jiont kit will not solve the problem. I should know. This last weekend I went out wheeling and my clutch
linkage popped apart just like yours did and I have the hiem jiont setup. The problem is a combination of the flex between the motor
mounts and frame and the frame and the body. These combined can spread the two ball-pivots far enough apart so they will seperate.
The only real fix I can see for this is hydraulic clutch linkage. The little clips WILL NOT hold the linkage together, they're way to weak
for that. I'm going to start looking at hydraulics.

Gary

 

I'm not talking about the commercial setup you can buy (it is WAY too expensive anyway), I've been thinking about modifying the setup with joints in every spot, maybe it will work, maybe not. You're right, those crazy nylon bushings and clips are kinda cheesy, but maybe they just need a little help taking some of the strain off them. But, hydraulic does have it's good points, I was over at John Foutz's house awhile back and tooka agood look at his setup, real nice.

Brad (from the 4 Wheeling center of the universe, 4 corners USA)

 

Have you inspected your motor mounts? Ever thought of using the poly mounts to help control the flex of the motor? May be even a torque strap to keep your motor from moving?

 

I have the Bombproof motor mounts with poly. The motor doesnt move.

1997 TJ w/ 33's & 1984 CJ7 w/35's
http://members.aol.com/a4x4jeeper/