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Project Unicorn - a light duty trail rig

Interesting, I didn't realize deaver made leaves shorter than 4.5"
 
Deaver makes whatever you want, you just have to ask. These were the standard G9s that they lowered for me.
 
Deaver makes whatever you want, you just have to ask. These were the standard G9s that they lowered for me.

Interesting. Been thinking of going deaver and I think your plan is more in line with what I’d want
 
Deaver makes whatever you want, you just have to ask. These were the standard G9s that they lowered for me.

I'm liking this idea too -- I already have the pac 4" springs -- like you I'm just acquiring parts at the moment

What shackle components are you going to use? Made by who?
 
So I haven't really been updating here, because image hosting has been so bad.

GSequoia took pitty on you guys and hooked me up with hosting this morning.

We'll jump thru a bunch of work and hit the highlights.

Synergy stopped making their XJ 4 link kit. Its a pretty nice kit, so Dallas knocked up something very similar to fill the market space. We started off just test fitting the prototype on my jeep, but somehow accidently cut all of the factory mounts off and ended up doing a thing.


The brackets bolted up (just the crossmember bolts) and some prototype arms knocked off for fitment testing.

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Some upper link mounts for the factory setup. These use JK UCA bushings with a 7/16 bolt instead of the 10mm stuff.

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The prototype arms had 3 UCA positions so you could dial in caster changes thru the suspension swing, but we found some interference with the brackets, the production unit has two options.

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They mount with the 2 crossmember bolts, the third crossmember hole, and 10 thru the floor bolts on each bracket. You have to pull the plastic trim at the door and lift the carpet for access.

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Up front I used a pair of PAC 4" 250 pound coils (PAC-JP20x4.0x250P); also the RE 1660 trackbar with the bracket and brace - which incidentally, has been updated to use all 1/2" hardware abandoning the old 10mm stuff; RE disconnects (which are identical to the JKS ones); for the moment my existing steering setup; and a pair of Bilstein 5100's I scored on Amazon for $50 shipped.

I also went to Crown Performance and had them make up a set of brake lines color matched to the car. I did 6" longer for the front (because WJ calipers need longer ones, and I do plan to go there) and 4" longer for the rear.

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Once I get the new axles done, I'll probably pick up some shortbody 7100's that I can dial in a little more and get more travel out of, but this will work for now. Trying to stay in the cars clean motif, I blacked out most of the suspension, but I did let Dallas paint his own parts so he can display them for now. ;)
 
For the rear I had Deaver make up a custom set of leafs - G9's at 3" of lift.

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Taking a long spring and lowering it lead to a much longer leaf. I needed to have Dallas make me up a more boomarangier shackle at 1-1.25" lift.

There were some design problems on the way. ;)

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We did eventually get past that.

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We had long and serious discussions about whether Unicorns get installed inboard or outboard. Ultimately we took a poll. Outboard.

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Another pretty brake line.

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My discount 5100's came with an undocumented free set of rear 5100's. They were designed for a 2" lift, but i just raised the shock mounts to make them fit (6.5" travel) temporarily. The next project will be a dana 44 rear, good rear shocks will come with it.
 
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The result is fairly level, just over 4" of lift and drives *SHOCKINGLY* well.

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I'm a little unsure on tire size. I had intended to run 285/75/16 Falken AT3W's but now that its up and I've looked/measured, I think that is more tire than I want. Do I go 265/75/16 or 265/70/16? I'm not really settled yet.
 
That looks sweet, dig the custom shackle in the awe inspiring unicorn!
 
Are those leafs longer than stock? Looks like a lot of shackle angle in the back

I'm a little unsure on tire size. I had intended to run 285/75/16 Falken AT3W's but now that its up and I've looked/measured, I think that is more tire than I want. Do I go 265/75/16 or 265/70/16? I'm not really settled yet.
Are you going to keep the flares? 32s will rip the flares off at 4" lift. 31s have room to stuff with stock flares and it sits nice, but waste of time and money if you are going to cut
 
Are those leafs longer than stock? Looks like a lot of shackle angle in the back

Yes, and to make them longer yet they are 5" lift leafs that Deaver lowered to 3", which makes them yet longer still. That said, there's enough travel that they don't flatten out before I hit bump.

Are you going to keep the flares? 32s will rip the flares off at 4" lift. 31s have room to stuff with stock flares and it sits nice, but waste of time and money if you are going to cut

The million dollar question right here. I really want 265/75/16's to fit without trimming, or notch custom's flares to not be total garbage. SOL on both points, so unsure what I'm going to do.

The next step is a rear 44 with 4.10's and a Grip Pro LSD. Once that's done, the front will be a WJ converted HP30 with the same internals, so I need to figure out tires before I get that far.
 
Napier flat flares are clean and simple and will open the wheel well quite a bit, probably enough room for 33s with bumpstopping. Also provides a good canvas for the wheels to stand out if you are looking to buy some nice and shiney

Do a google image search for "napier flat flare red xj" to see
 
yeah but they're just so ugly..

Got blingy wheels already. Just the tires I have are too big, trying to figure out what to downsize to. ;)

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Did you end up keeping the DOM arms or use the 7075 aluminum offered in the SFR kit?


It will get the 7075 arms, but his kit uses 1" shank johnny joints and the joints I already had sitting around new are 1.25" shank, so instead of spend the money twice I'm just running these for now. When I redo the axles I'll pick up the correct joints and move these over to another project.
 
I got home last night and couldn't leave well enough alone.

I looked in the shed and found I didn't have a floor jack nor an impact at home, but for some reason I do have a sawzall?

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Still not sure on the 285's vs 265's, but I'm not displeased at all. Now I really have to figure out what I'm doing on the flare front.
 
Just put the flares back on and make really wide turns...:anon:
 
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