Rear Coilover Conversion

gravy · Nov 5, 2011

After finishing the front coilovers I got the itch to do the rear. Im currently running 4.5 front coils and adjustable shocks with 4link. It works great but coilovers was in the plans from the start. I have the protofab rear shock hoops with the body cut outs so I am using that space to mount my hoops and then run a cross bar through the body that is removable. I got another set of Rock Krawler 14 travel 2 5/8 coilovers from Ken and JK lower coilover mounts that I will be using upper and lower. The coilovers will be mounted slightly forward of the rear axle with a slight angle forward attached to the upper mounts. I am using 1 3/4 120 wall tubing. Pics show the hoops in progress along with the modified RK mount and finally the trussing. Next is to get them mounted in the truck- more to come.

gravy · Nov 5, 2011

more pics of the finished hoops and the space where they will be mounted.

fdezone · Nov 5, 2011

Nice work. They look STOUT! I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.

gravy · Nov 7, 2011

update

cleaned frame- ready to mount the hoops. Still waiting on some parts to make the cross bar thru the body and the coils. I will have more pics tonight

gravy · Nov 7, 2011

Got lower mounts welded in and tacked the hoops in place. Drilled the pass through holes for the cross bar. It will bolt in place and split in half with a a tube clamp for easy removal. Adding one middle tube to the hoop down to the frame also. Here are some pics

fdezone · Nov 8, 2011

Looking good!

gravy · Nov 8, 2011

Thanks!!

mattyq17 · Nov 8, 2011

Nice job keep it going

br0nc0xrapt0r · Nov 8, 2011

Looks great, My only concern would be bashing the botton od the C/O on something since it is not mounted on top of the axle. I see your delema there though where it would possibly add additional "lift".

fdezone · Nov 8, 2011

br0nc0xrapt0r said:
Looks great, My only concern would be bashing the botton od the C/O on something since it is not mounted on top of the axle. I see your delema there though where it would possibly add additional "lift".

I agree! Ideally you'd want 'em sitting on top of the axle and out of harms way, but he should be fine. The kit from Poly for a TJ/LJ utilizes similar (if not the same) mounting brackets/location.

I'm following this thread with great interest. Hoping everything turns out well for ya!

fdezone · Nov 8, 2011

Actually, I think you're right, his sit in front of the axle vice the Poly kit, which locates the coilovers low, but behind the axle. ?:?

ken75ranger · Nov 9, 2011

If you see those lower mounts in person you wouldn't worry about the rocks.

We've beat them up at KOH qualifiers, RC Rocks, Line Mountain.

gravy · Nov 9, 2011

br0nc0xrapt0r said:
Looks great, My only concern would be bashing the botton od the C/O on something since it is not mounted on top of the axle. I see your delema there though where it would possibly add additional "lift".

My concern also- good catch. That pic is at 3/4 droop so they are pointing down a little due to the axle rotating, at ride height they only point down a few degree. I set it up this way so the shock would clear the bracket during all travel. Its hard to tell in that pic but the lower link sits at the same hieght as the bracket and is very close to it giving it protection. Nothing hangs below the axle. I used these bracket to move the lower mount forward to minimize the angle on the shock itself and protect the shock also. The upper mounts were located already by the cutouts in the body. As Ken said, these are really beefy (all 1/4 steel) so if a rock can get to them they can take it-thats why I went with them. Thanks again Ken!

fdezone · Nov 9, 2011

ken75ranger said:
If you see those lower mounts in person you wouldn't worry about the rocks.
We've beat them up at KOH qualifiers, RC Rocks, Line Mountain.

Well, that's great to hear. CRACK ON, Gravy! ;D

br0nc0xrapt0r · Nov 9, 2011

gravy said:
My concern also- good catch. That pic is at 3/4 droop so they are pointing down a little due to the axle rotating, at ride height they only point down a few degree. I set it up this way so the shock would clear the bracket during all travel. Its hard to tell in that pic but the lower link sits at the same hieght as the bracket and is very close to it giving it protection. Nothing hangs below the axle. I used these bracket to move the lower mount forward to minimize the angle on the shock itself and protect the shock also. The upper mounts were located already by the cutouts in the body. As Ken said, these are really beefy (all 1/4 steel) so if a rock can get to them they can take it-thats why I went with them. Thanks again Ken!

Sounds good! I can't wait to see the end results! Also a thurough review of the performance and added performance gains over the coils.

gravy · Nov 12, 2011

Update

Got a lot done yesterday. Made and mounted the cross bar through the body after mounting the hoops to the frame. Also got the bump stops mounted but need to finish one side still. Using 3 in daystar triangle bumps- not the nubs. Shocks are bolted in. Cant wait to test it out. Here are some pics

fdezone · Nov 12, 2011

gravy said:
Made and mounted the cross bar through the body after mounting the hoops to the frame.

That turned out well. Looks good! It's not obstrusive at all.

DanWheeler · Nov 12, 2011

Looks good! - I'd like to do the same with the single rear seat and coilovers. I like how you did the removable cross bar. Are you going to do any grommets or sealing where the crossbar comes through the body?

What did you use for coil springs weight-wise? It looks like the coils are angling forward quite a bit increasing leverage - did you factor that in when picking springs?

gravy · Nov 13, 2011

Thanks Dan. The cross bar splits it the middle via tube clamp and bolts to each tower. Mounting them forward of the axle and leaning forward about 10 degrees does make extra leverage so I started with 200 over 300 on the coils. Took into account the heavy spare also. Got lucky and hit the weights pretty close maybe a little to high but I will get the coils time to settle and losen up. The front did settle more than a inch

Drove it today for the first time The ride is awesome. It handles so much better than the coils did with no swaybar. Mounting the coilover as far outboard as I could help stability big time. Almost doesnt need a sway bar. Got her up to 75 on the highway. Drives great. Well worth all the work. Next test in wheeling in a couple weeks. One more pic from the rear

gravy · Nov 13, 2011

I am making plates to bolt onto the body with rubber grommets to seal the body. Still working on that.

Rear Coilover Conversion

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