your thoughts (rear suspension)

[chadsmeltzer]

Like all things done to my jeep, a small task turns into an expensive unrelated upgrade. This time a gas leak turned into a (possible) 3 link rear suspension.

Here is my thinking:
I have to get a new rear track bar and I need JCR to make a new bracket for it. The track bar is $220 and I am thinking the bracket and welding from JCR will be around $250. I was also going to have them install the bracket while they had the old one off anyway. So that is about $500

Well I can get this for $600, and sell my current upper adj. control arms for maybe $100. So I would basically break even, with the side effect of a 3 link rear, and finally NO REAR TRACK BAR!
http://fulltraction.com/productimages/Copy-of-Picture-710.gif



Really all I want is somebody to agree with me, I have heard some pretty good stuff about that 3 link.

[skoalman269]

that would be nice to have

[spieg]

Their 6" long arm system comes with that same 3 link rear. Im just sayin...

[lowridinpontiac]

if i didn't want my exhaust coming out of the stock location thats what i would be doing too!

[chadsmeltzer]

if i didn't want my exhaust coming out of the stock location thats what i would be doing too!

Mine is already cut off so that won't be an issue.

One thing that is holding me back is the "truss" bolts to the diff, and I have an 8.8 so I would need a custom bracket there.

[spieg]

Clayton makes a 4 link rear thats all weld on and can be customized for a ford 8.8. Im just sayin...

[chadsmeltzer]

Clayton makes a 4 link rear thats all weld on and can be customized for a ford 8.8. Im just sayin...

I don't have a welder (well I do, but I don't have the power cable for it). One thing I really liked about the Full Traction 3 link is that it is bolt on.

[lowridinpontiac]

Just weld it it'll be stronger and you won't have to worry about bolts breaking off from rust or off-road damage

[chadsmeltzer]

Just weld it it'll be stronger and you won't have to worry about bolts breaking off from rust or off-road damage

I don't have access to a welder, so I would have to factor in money for that also, probably $200. I also really don't think bolts breaking off would be an issue, grade 8 bolts in factory locations.

[chadsmeltzer]

Ok, I am really leaning towards this now...
http://www.rockkrawler.com/pages/catalog/index.php?r_itemID=209

4 link with a truss, and its welded on. It's a little cheaper and I won't have to deal with the diff cover. I do need adj. lower control arms for it, but I have those in the front and don't really need them. I will just switch the front and rear control arms so the stock ones are in front.



Stupid leaking gas tank is costing me money...

[havensov]

Um, shouldn't you be focusing on the gas tank?

[chadsmeltzer]

Um, shouldn't you be focusing on the gas tank?

Well the track bar smashed some bolts holding the gas tank skid, among other things. I tried to remove the tank but have to take the track bar off to get to the bolts now. I planned on taking the Jeep to JCR to have them make a new track bar bracket. Then I got to thinking how I really don't like spending money if it's not an upgrade, and with this 4 link it really won't cost much more and I will come out much better (and that stupid track bar will be out of my way for the gas tank).

You don't have a rear track bar so you don't know that it is the Devil's step brother.

[lowridinpontiac]

hey chad how do those mtr's fit on your jeep? You have any rubbing issues at all? just curious cuz i just got my set of 35x12.5x15's tuesday but i've only got the 4.5 RE lift and was wondering how they compare

[chadsmeltzer]

hey chad how do those mtr's fit on your jeep? You have any rubbing issues at all? just curious cuz i just got my set of 35x12.5x15's tuesday but i've only got the 4.5 RE lift and was wondering how they compare
I am supposed to have 4.25" of lift, who knows where it actually sits though.
I haven't disconnected the front swaybar, but with it connected it doesn't rub the front fenders. At full turn it does barely touch the lower control arms. In the rear it does rub the rear fenders a bit, but the way my 8.8 is setup, I have a bit of a stretch. It only rubs the rearmost part. I do have a bit of bumpstop though for my shocks.
This is the best side shot I can find, the suspension is not flexed at all here...
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs168.snc4/37755_447907185259_712340259_6464426_7667816_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs171.snc4/37907_447904410259_712340259_6464371_4144695_n.jpg

[thesherp]

Chad if you need a welder you can use mine!!!!!!

[chadsmeltzer]

Chad if you need a welder you can use mine!!!!!!

what kind is it?

[chadsmeltzer]

Look what I found...
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r54/chadsmeltzer/Jeep/TDovRENJTS8xMDBTQU5ZTy82NzZBMDM0OC5KUEc.jpg

My dog approves, she loves to chew on the truss.

[chadsmeltzer]

Oh, and I found it a lot cheaper then the MSRP so that helps a ton.