Setting Caster on front axle SOA

6.5 degrees should be ok for caster. You don't want to rotate the front diff up toward the tcase unless you rotate the axle housings or it will kill your caster. Then you'll really have handling problems. Somethimes you might need to increase the caster on a SOA to compensate for larger tires. But if you need to do that you can use degree shims. Don't know iff you'll be welding the perches on top or if there already there. If you do make sure there parallel to the ones on the bottom. This will keep the caster about the same. Good luck!

C-Ya.....................kh

Parallel to the ones on the bottom....uh oh I grinded those off!!! Well I will make it work, its a Jeep. I am just getting a few last minute jitters cause this is my daily driver and I have never attempted a project this large, double axle swap, SYE kit, and SOA....hmmm I should have my hads ful over super bowl weekend!!!

absolutjeep
http://members.tripod.com/iluvjeeps

When I installed the wagon 44 in my yj with a SOA I held the caster setting to 6 degrees, (angle finder checking both sides of the knuckles) but also when I narrowed the housing I rotated the knuckles a couple of degrees to help offset the SOA. The deal on caster is that it helps your tires to return to the straight position when you let go of the wheel. You might get by with as little as 4 degrees before handling really becomes a problem. I'm running a lengthened grand cherokee front drive shaft with the cv joint at the transfer. Not sure how your doing the perch next to the carrier, but I made a 5/8" steel plate with notches at all 4 corners for the u-bolts and to fit the machined part on the housing and used square u-bolts with the nuts on top with a new spring pad, so far so good. I also cut the radius on that spring perch so 1 side would set on the carrier. I just put a couple of good tack welds there and welded it good on the other side. Steve

Mopar360yj
87yj+20,74CHR.030360,SOA,35BFGATs,46RH,241DHD,
D60-44-4.10

I have a set of Scout of axles that I will be using under my CJ. I plan on rotating the knuckles to give the proper caster. I only have a MIG/Wire welder, I've read that for the spring pads MIG is fine, but for the knuckles would that be sufficient or do I need a Stick/ARC?

Thanks
Mark F

That's pretty thick material, and its a weld between dissimular metals which is more difficult. Im not sure if there is MIG wire available for that application, although Im sure someone has to make it. Technically as long as the wire you're using is made for dissimular metals and you can burn deep enough you should be good. You have to preheat the cast section first as well. That can be done with a propane torch though.

I wire welded my knuckles onto the tubes with a standard mild steel wire, haven't had any problems as of yet. I turned the heat up slightly because of the 3/8 steel of the tubes, but other than that, I welded them just as I would any thing else. Steve

Mopar360yj
87yj+20,74CHR.030360,SOA,35BFGATs,46RH,241DHD,
D60-44-4.10