Rear 4 link w/SAW air shocks progress pics

AzRick · Sep 13, 2005

As many of you have, I've gotten tired of leaf spring issues in the rear of my XJ. It's time for something new.

I picked up a pair of 12" Sway-a-way air shocks for a pretty good price from a friend, and here's what it lead to......

Inside:

The rear bar of the "ladder" is the upper control arm mounting point. The arms will come through the floor and mount to it. The forward bar supports the lower control arm brackets here:

The shocks will come up through the floor outside of the framerails:

The shock on the left is at ride height.

The axle truss is a Rockrawler part.

So far, so good.....the only possible issue I see is the length of the uppers. They are probably only 75% of the lowers. I could rework the "ladder" a bit if I need to lengthen them.

More pics to come once I have the links built.

Rick

Edit: BTW, the rear seat will be fully functional as I have 2 kids that go with me from time to time.

Jes · Sep 13, 2005

Lookin' good.
BTW, if ya didn't know, you can't remote link pictures from WebShots.

Jeff 98XJ WI · Sep 13, 2005

Interesting. Good to see you out there and still at it. BTW, I had to open the pictures in a new window in order to see them. Jeff

AzRick · Sep 13, 2005

click here for the link to the webshots album.

I wonder how come I can see them??

Rick

Jeff 98XJ WI · Sep 13, 2005

Where exactly are the kids going to put their feet after the bottom seat cushion is in? Looks a bit busy in the footwell. I find it interesting that one side bar follows the door opening and the other is straight. Does that mean get in on THIS side only?

Jeff

AzRick · Sep 13, 2005

Jeff 98XJ WI said:
Where exactly are the kids going to put their feet after the bottom seat cushion is in? Looks a bit busy in the footwell. I find it interesting that one side bar follows the door opening and the other is straight. Does that mean get in on THIS side only? Jeff

Alyssa, my 12 year old, has almost outgrown the back seat anyway, but she can either put her feet on top of the bar (her knees are getting close to the crossbar), or she can put her feet underneath it.

The side bars were originally the same, but I couldn't get the spare in and out once I went to 35's. I cut out the pass. side bar and rebuilt it with the bend. The spare just barely fits, deflated.

Rick

CRASH · Sep 13, 2005

Must be getting ready for wheeling season in AZ, did it finally cool down to less than 100 degrees?

AzRick · Sep 14, 2005

CRASH said:
Must be getting ready for wheeling season in AZ, did it finally cool down to less than 100 degrees?

It was a brisk 94 today. Not bad for Sept.

Die Harder is first on the list once it cools down.

Rick

Roxtar · Sep 14, 2005

Welcome to hell.
You'll get used to the smell. :flame: :firedevil :flame:

CRASH · Sep 14, 2005

Rick XTRM XJ said:
It was a brisk 94 today. Not bad for Sept.

Die Harder is first on the list once it cools down.

Rick

That first double ledge is gonna be fun!

Hopefully, all the water holes are dry in front of all those waterfalls!

Take some pics, eh?

AzRick · Sep 15, 2005

Here's the pics........they should show up now. I linked them from another location.

Rick

Dingo509 · Sep 15, 2005

Rick XTRM XJ said:
Here's the pics........they should show up now. I linked them from another location.

Rick

Nope don't see um, and can't follow the link.

Dingo

Weasel · Sep 15, 2005

I think your link bracket needs to be thicker.

looks good

Roxtar · Sep 15, 2005

Rick XTRM XJ said:
Here's the pics........they should show up now. I linked them from another location.

Rick

Nada
No pics
No links

JeepFreak21 · Sep 15, 2005

Weasel said:
I think your link bracket needs to be thicker.

looks good

It became painfully obvious to me that I'm now a fulltime webwheeler... the first thing I thought of was: [img]http://www.slicky.net/smilies/pat.gif[/img] Billy

XJ_ranger · Sep 15, 2005

JeepFreak21 said:
It became painfully obvious to me that I'm now a fulltime webwheeler... the first thing I thought of was: [img]http://www.slicky.net/smilies/pat.gif[/img] Billy[/QUOTE] like this? [b] [ ][/b]

AzRick · Sep 20, 2005

Took it out this weekend for a quick shakedown run...here's my findings....

If using a chain for a limiting strap...make sure it's strong or it will break before you even get to the trail.

Dropping off a good size ledge at an angle, the high side shock tends to want to unload a bit (see previous).

The heep is surprisingly stable in off camber spots. I think it is due to the shocks being outboard of the framerails, and because they are only 12" shocks.

The XJ climbs ledges like nobodys business. The rear just stays planted. No hop, just traction.

I might still be able to keep up with the WCGIC on the way back to camp in JV. Again....it is suprisingly stable, and never bottomed out...even with only 4" uptravel.

Can't wait to get it on a real trail.

Here's a link to my updated album:
pics

Rick

Roxtar · Sep 20, 2005

Rick XTRM XJ said:
Took it out this weekend for a quick shakedown run...here's my findings....

If using a chain for a limiting strap...make sure it's strong or it will break before you even get to the trail.

Dropping off a good size ledge at an angle, the high side shock tends to want to unload a bit (see previous).

The heep is surprisingly stable in off camber spots. I think it is due to the shocks being outboard of the framerails, and because they are only 12" shocks.

The XJ climbs ledges like nobodys business. The rear just stays planted. No hop, just traction.

I might still be able to keep up with the WCGIC on the way back to camp in JV. Again....it is suprisingly stable, and never bottomed out...even with only 4" uptravel.

Can't wait to get it on a real trail.

Here's a link to my updated album:
pics

Rick

Very nice.
Love the spider web look cage. :cheers:
See ya at BOTW '06?

TrailHunter · Sep 20, 2005

So do those upper arms say somewhat stationary, preventing any clearance issues with those passages through the floor. I'm glad to see someone do that to keep their AS numbers in check.

RWKHausSupply · Sep 20, 2005

very nice and hope you dont patent any of that, I just found my basis to start with.

Please inform Me/Us if theres any airshock issues with the off camber and such. If not then I will have to go that route. The OD is so much less and usable outbound of frame rails due to the smaller OD it looks like.

Rear 4 link w/SAW air shocks progress pics

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