how much stretch, and how high should i be??

[Cj7350]

hey guys, new to the forum here and already have some Q's. heres what i got. 79 CJ7 frame sitting on jack stands, with a 350/700r4/NP241 mounted in it with a couple of tons on the floor under it. pretty much everything except body mounts have been cut off. im going 4 link, hydro steering, fuel cell inside, cut or no fenders up front, and cut for sure, maybe even narrowed back end. my Q's are how much stretch should i achieve front and rear. im going 117" but am unsure how much stretch to give the front and back. find the middle of the frame and split the difference or what? and im also unsure how high i should put the frame to measure everything. im most likely going to run Fox 2.5 coil overs probably 14" travel, and 42 tsl-sx's i guess ideally id like some guys running 42's or around 117 wheel base to chime in a give me some advice. and if your on 42's how do you like your stance, would you like it higher or low and for what reason? id like to keep mine low but not too low to hider flexing. im just unsure where to set everything to start measuring for shocks, axles and all that good expensive stuff. so any advice/comments/help would be greatly appreciated. and pics of your rigs never hurt either... even if its not what im asking for... its always helpful to see other peoples rigs and go from there.. Thanks!

 

[mtnwhlr]

The only help I can give you is this pic of one we came across wheeling last summer

 

[fishinfool98]

The lower the better you can still have Alot of downward flex with no problems. I will take some pics of a buddy of mines jeep linked on tons

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Cj7350]

Thanks for the replies. The white cj doesn't look bad. Looks a little shorter wheelbase then what I'm going for. Keep em coming. Everything will help.

 

[fishinfool98]

Login to hardline crawlers. And there are a few builds on linked 7s
I personally like between 108" and 118"
Wheelbase. And around a 20" belly pan.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[csuengr]

If you keep the steering box, you are Limited to how far you can move the front axle forward. If you use hydraulic steering only and put a fuel cell in the back of the tub, the only limits are your imagination and budget.

 

[fishinfool98]

If you keep the steering box, you are Limited to how far you can move the front axle forward. If you use hydraulic steering only and put a fuel cell in the back of the tub, the only limits are your imagination and budget.

Very true I have my steering box for the moment. But if your plan on four linking front and rear its hard to keep the steering box. He is already planning to go with hydro

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Cj7350]

Ya that's the main reason I'm spending the extra $$$ for hydro so I can get my suspension how I want it and then move on to everything else. I'm just unsure about how far to stretch in each direction so it doesn't look rediculous and still function properly.

 

[csuengr]

Looking ridiculous is in the eye of the beholder. It has to do mostly with the wheel well arches. If you "comp cut" the rear and do something with the front fenders, it will look fine with a 118" wheel base.

 

[BusaDave9]

I think it's best to move the rear axle to the rear. Not as much need to move the front axle. Front axle is harder to move with the steering and more importantly it's good to keep the CG toward the front. Why? Because it's better for climbing. For a hill climb you need to give it gas. That can bring the front end up. When going downhill its easier to keep the rear down. If the rear starts to come up you can let up off the brakes or even give it a little gas,
It's more stable with the CG near the front.

 

[alabamaboy54]

I think it's best to move the rear axle to the rear. Not as much need to move the front axle. Front axle is harder to move with the steering and more importantly it's good to keep the CG toward the front. Why? Because it's better for climbing. For a hill climb you need to give it gas. That can bring the front end up. When going downhill its easier to keep the rear down. If the rear starts to come up you can let up off the brakes or even give it a little gas,
It's more stable with the CG near the front.

Now that is something I never would have even thought about. My train of thought was that front stretch would be better simply because it puts the CoG more towards the middle. Very good point.