montanaman
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Western Montana
Hey folks:
'91 XJ 4WD.
I put some heavier springs on the front and rear, and the front is now lifted 2.25". I measured it by the "official" method ... from the top of the axle tube to the bottom of the "Frame" rail. I'm running LT235-75-15 tires.
Before lifting, the driving was very stable, and the front tires wore very evenly. Now it feels a little less stable ... a little more twitchy, and the front tires are wearing funny. They look like there is too much toe-in, plus the passenger tire is wearing more than the driver tire.
Also, when I look down the length of the vehicle, it appears to the naked eye that the entire front axle has moved to the driver's side about 1/2".
The twitchiness is probably caused by the caster change, which I will try to balance against pinion angle. If necessary I'll get some offset ball joints.
But the axle shift to the driver's side makes me think I need a longer track bar. Does that sound right? Should I get a track bar of specific length or an adjustable one? If I get an adjustable one, how should I go about adjusting it?
I've been working on cars & trucks for 38 years, but I've never done a lift before, and have a lot to learn. I was thinking maybe I could run a tight string off the rear brake drum faces to see that the font axle is properly centered ... or is there a better way?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
'91 XJ 4WD.
I put some heavier springs on the front and rear, and the front is now lifted 2.25". I measured it by the "official" method ... from the top of the axle tube to the bottom of the "Frame" rail. I'm running LT235-75-15 tires.
Before lifting, the driving was very stable, and the front tires wore very evenly. Now it feels a little less stable ... a little more twitchy, and the front tires are wearing funny. They look like there is too much toe-in, plus the passenger tire is wearing more than the driver tire.
Also, when I look down the length of the vehicle, it appears to the naked eye that the entire front axle has moved to the driver's side about 1/2".
The twitchiness is probably caused by the caster change, which I will try to balance against pinion angle. If necessary I'll get some offset ball joints.
But the axle shift to the driver's side makes me think I need a longer track bar. Does that sound right? Should I get a track bar of specific length or an adjustable one? If I get an adjustable one, how should I go about adjusting it?
I've been working on cars & trucks for 38 years, but I've never done a lift before, and have a lot to learn. I was thinking maybe I could run a tight string off the rear brake drum faces to see that the font axle is properly centered ... or is there a better way?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
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