JL/JT Axle Swap Details

[Rickstar321]

I bought a set of these off of FB Market for about 1/2 price, NIB. I really did not like the idea of the aluminium knuckles that come on the JL/JT axles.

Of course I won't really know until I can get it all set up in my TJ but has anyone done or seen these in use with heims ends drag link and offset heims Tie rods?
One reason I'm asking is because I noticed how far fwd the Yeti Steer smarts tie rod sticks out. Not sure if the "offset" will be enough on these.

 

[Wildman]

I bought a set of these off of FB Market for about 1/2 price, NIB. I really did not like the idea of the aluminium knuckles that come on the JL/JT axles.
View attachment 661513
Of course I won't really know until I can get it all set up in my TJ but has anyone done or seen these in use with heims ends drag link and offset heims Tie rods?
One reason I'm asking is because I noticed how far fwd the Yeti Steer smarts tie rod sticks out. Not sure if the "offset" will be enough on these.

View attachment 661515

I've got a pair of the offset heim's & tre's that I never used. I'd bought them when I was setting mine up and then didn't need them. Can't tell you how well they work or not.

 

[Rickstar321]

I've got a pair of the offset heim's & tre's that I never used. I'd bought them when I was setting mine up and then didn't need them. Can't tell you how well they work or not.

Just noticed you had your 10 year anni here... cool beans.

Mind if I ask "How big a tires I can run on my stock TJ without making any mods to it?" ;-) lol...

 

[Wildman]

There are steering kit out there that have curved tie-rods that are made to clear things... Just one example.

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...W_wzoZ1Dcqdf9THB8WluqKlsq5GnYWZcaApM5EALw_wcB

Just noticed you had your 10 year anni here... cool beans.

Mind if I ask "How big a tires I can run on my stock TJ without making any mods to it?" ;-) lol...

21" tires are it...

 

[dirtycoyotelj]

I bought a set of these off of FB Market for about 1/2 price, NIB. I really did not like the idea of the aluminium knuckles that come on the JL/JT axles.
View attachment 661513
Of course I won't really know until I can get it all set up in my TJ but has anyone done or seen these in use with heims ends drag link and offset heims Tie rods?
One reason I'm asking is because I noticed how far fwd the Yeti Steer smarts tie rod sticks out. Not sure if the "offset" will be enough on these.

View attachment 661515

ARe you going to have to clearance the frame to run those high steer knuckles and a raised axle side trac bar mount?

 

[Jamesval035]

I bought a set of these off of FB Market for about 1/2 price, NIB. I really did not like the idea of the aluminium knuckles that come on the JL/JT axles.
View attachment 661513
Of course I won't really know until I can get it all set up in my TJ but has anyone done or seen these in use with heims ends drag link and offset heims Tie rods?
One reason I'm asking is because I noticed how far fwd the Yeti Steer smarts tie rod sticks out. Not sure if the "offset" will be enough on these.

View attachment 661515

Damn not a bad find on FB. I went with synergy hi steer knuckles on Black Friday. My RPM steering also came in this week. It has the JK tapered end for the pitman arm. Haven’t figured that part out yet though.

 

[Jamesval035]

ARe you going to have to clearance the frame to run those high steer knuckles and a raised axle side trac bar mount?

To get the most amount of uptravel, a frame clearance will most likely happen. Atleast I already have it in my mind that I’ll have to notch the frame.

 

[Rickstar321]

ARe you going to have to clearance the frame to run those high steer knuckles and a raised axle side trac bar mount?

We'll see, I'm running over the knuckle on my WJ swap right now, it's pretty high. packaging and fitment will definitely be a challenge, but I'm up for it .

 

[Rickstar321]

Damn not a bad find on FB. I went with synergy hi steer knuckles on Black Friday. My RPM steering also came in this week. It has the JK tapered end for the pitman arm. Haven’t figured that part out yet though.

Will need to see pics once you get it figured out

 

[Rickstar321]

Worked on getting this 1.05 inch hole drilled through this cast steel last night... stepped up from 1/8" to 5/8"... only took me from about 3 hours!
Cheap drill bits but I didn't want to stop and go buy better ones.
This is what going with a Max Tow JT axle you buy from your buddy for $200 cost you lol... but worth it.
I also found an M210 OEM locker out of a JLR for $200 on FB market... as long as everything works like it's supposed to... I'll be pretty happy with it.

The hole is for the locker plug.

 

[Jamesval035]

Nice, making progress. I’m at the grinding off the old brackets on the rear axle phase. I did pull the GR stretch tank out for fitment, but this last trip to good evening ranch has me thinking maybe going fuel cell. I was hung up so many times on my gts.

 

[Rickstar321]

Nice, making progress. I’m at the grinding off the old brackets on the rear axle phase. I did pull the GR stretch tank out for fitment, but this last trip to good evening ranch has me thinking maybe going fuel cell. I was hung up so many times on my gts.

I've got the G/R Crawler, 19.5 gallon one I think, it has quite a bit more clearance than my old stock tank... I've actually been pretty impressed with some of the rocks I've slide across with it. Now I need to come follow you! You must really be getting into the good stuff!! lol

 

[sierradmax]

Just reading over this thread. My $.02

1. The problem I see with TJ coil buckets centered on the axle presents a couple of issues. First, if you're still going to use the factory shock location, one would see the lower link come in contact with the bracket. Also, be prepared for some re-work of the frame side track bar mount.
2. High steer knuckles are great but just know that any forward stretch, your drag link will interfere with the radiator and/or the lower frame horn.
3. Pay close attention to where you weld in the GR crossmember. Depending on your application, it might be difficult getting the transfer case in & out.

I'm no longer a fan of a full width front truss, on any axle under a TJ. It robs up-travel by the height of the truss interfering with the oil-pan.

 

[Rickstar321]

Don't hate too much on my welds, I'm a self taught novice at best. I struggle with consistency in my welds, especially when I have to heat up the cast steel to weld small sections at a time.
Main thing is... Making progress, got part of the front truss and my inner C's welded. I'm still waiting for the last 1-13/64" bit I need to cut the 1.05" diameter whole for the OEM locker plug.

I didn't get a picture of it but yes i did clean up the truss as well before welding.

Between the welding and the cooling in small pieces this took up my whole weekend.

Not pretty... but I'd hate to have to cut it apart...

 

[JeepsR4Me19]

Those will hold. Nothing bad with them that will make it fail. But flat is your friend. Welding "up" is not easy. So do as much flat as possible.

 

[Jamesval035]

Further along than I am. I got the tank and axle mocked up to see if I would get a full 7” stretch. Comes out to about 6.25”. Still tossing up the idea of going fuel cell but working with what I got for now.

 

[Wildman]

Nice...

 

[Rickstar321]

Further along than I am. I got the tank and axle mocked up to see if I would get a full 7” stretch. Comes out to about 6.25”. Still tossing up the idea of going fuel cell but working with what I got for now.

View attachment 666175

View attachment 666176

Oh yeah! I previously got 5" of stretch, but again I have the Crawler tank. I was about 1/4" away from rubbing it. I want to see what I can get out of the front.

Did you see Ian's new video on 4 links he just dropped?

 

[Djames]

To get the most amount of uptravel, a frame clearance will most likely happen. Atleast I already have it in my mind that I’ll have to notch the frame.

For my JL rear without street on a triangulated 4 link, I’ve had to notch the rear footwell for the upper arms to stuff into. My JL front without a truss or stretch hasnt hit the frame but it has hit the exhaust bend and self clearanced much more than I’d like, even with hydro bump cans and measuring clear on the rack.

 

[Jamesval035]

Oh yeah! I previously got 5" of stretch, but again I have the Crawler tank. I was about 1/4" away from rubbing it. I want to see what I can get out of the front.

Did you see Ian's new video on 4 links he just dropped?

Watched it twice already lol.