Question - Problems doing a 1" cradle drop

kjhawaii · **Posted:** Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:01 pm

Hi All - What are the problems associated with doing a 1" cradle drop. Has any one tried or done it yet.

Im guessing but

Steering Shaft from firewall to rack
Motor dropping - Fan in way etc

Jeepin Al · **Posted:** Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:42 pm

The basis of my lift kit is a 2 inch cradle drop. I left the engine in the mounts and dropped the tranny around one inch, this has the engine sitting level, as well as the tranny. Lower center of gravity. The 33 inch tires cancel the effect of droping the cradle.

Than I proceeded to install the front Franken Lift, and the Rock Krawler clevis, and I installed a 1/2 inch spacer between the Clevis and strut bottom:

So with this....Franken lift 2.5 inches,Rock Krawler clevis, nets 2.75 to 3 inches and the 1/2 spacer, figure that 1/2 inch spacer cancels out the settlement of the springs...I am sitting around 5.5 inches. I have 6 inch LJ coils in the back.

So to make a long story short, a one inch spacer sounds easy, it is not, but it shouldn't cause any problems.

You will need longer cradle bolts, drop the steering column a little, 1/2 inch tranny spacers, transfer case skid plates will need spacers, new drive shaft, since if you go over 3.5 you will get vibration, longer brake lines, and the front shaft, which I haven't tackled yet, may need to be replaced. I can't tell if I am getting a vibration from that one yet.

You will need to remove of loosen the raditor hoses from the radiator.

Just some of the thing I can think of.

I know you can do it, it is fun, but plan on not driving the KJ for while, while you figure all the things that need to be done, and get them done.

Al

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:34 pm

If you are going thru the trouble I would think about going 1.5-2" for all the trouble.

Jeepin Al · **Posted:** Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:52 pm

I forgot the most important thing..........Really Really stupid of me. :shock:

You CAN NOT raise the KJ over 3.5 inches without relocating the upper a-arms. I lowered mine by 3 inches.

Or talk superlift in selling you a set of Liberator steering knuclkes for $2500 a set. (what I was quoted).

I am trying right now to talk Rock Krawler out of one of their secrets, they used ford (what type and year I need to find out) tie rod end links to solve the droop in the steering tie rods.

Sorry, :oops:

Al

kjhawaii · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 12:53 am

Why Im investigating a cradle drop – With Al’s upper arms of course

Im totally happy with the height my lift now but my concerns are about longevity and spring contact

CV angle at full droop seems beyond acceptable limits
CV Particularly during full torque stress moments
CV Premature CV Joint failure
Tie Rod Ends seem to be at too much of an angle
TR Bump steer
TR Premature Rack Failure
Spring contact issues

Quote:

If you are going thru the trouble I would think about going 1.5-2" for all the trouble.

I hate to do it But id be willing to lose and inch of ground clearance for the front in order to bring the steering and CV angles a little closer to factory spec. An inch sounds minor but with these short control arms it’s huge. An inch may be much easier then 2 inches. If 3/4 or 1/2 only requires a few washers and other minor adjustments Id try that first.

Quote:

So to make a long story short, a one inch spacer sounds easy, it is not, but it shouldn't cause any problems.

Al – thanks for the response. I needed to know someone understands

Can I pick your brain for more details and thoughts.

Al – In your mind – what would be the maximum cradle drop for the minimum effort.

KjHawaii

kjhawaii · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:21 am

Yes Ford - Same Wheel bolt pattern - very Interesting.

Matt400 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 2:01 am

Jeepin Al wrote:

I am trying right now to talk Rock Krawler out of one of their secrets, they used ford (what type and year I need to find out) tie rod end links to solve the droop in the steering tie rods.

Hrmm, I wonder if its a Bump Steer Kit from Steeda for a lowered Mustang?

555-8105 - Steeda Bumpsteer Kit *with manual steering rack 1979-1993 Ford Mustang
555-8106 - Steeda Bumpsteer Kit 2005-2006 Ford Mustang
555-8103 - Steeda Bumpsteer Kit 1987-1993 Ford Mustang
555-8104 - Steeda Bumpsteer Kit 1994-2004 Ford Mustang

One of those kits would need to have the same threads and taper to work of course.

I would like to fix this issue on my KJ. I noticed a big difference with a 3/8" clevis.

kjhawaii · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 12:58 pm

Quote:

Bump Steer Kit from Steeda

Hmm Interesting Matt - I just took a look under the KJ and with my 15" wheels it would be a tight squeese but possible. Let us know if you give it a try. A shop in my town, the guysi are Ford Mustang Nuts, Ill ask them if they use such an an animal.

Al - I was looking under the KJ this morning -

Id have some 1" or 3/4 steel or alum plate cut and punched to lower the cradle
or just do testing with washers then have the plate cut.

Can I use washers for the Tranny and Tranfer case spacers??

Say Al - can you elaborate a little on the items below and anything else you can think of for a small drop of 3/4 to 1"

longer cradle bolts
drop the steering column
tranny spacers
transfer case skid plate spacers
loosen the raditor hoses

Thanks In Advanced Al
PS And I do have extra vehicles so he KJ can sit around for a while

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:34 pm

Just drop it an inch and beat the snot out of the skid, thats what its made for anyway. With my 1.5in lift and 30" tires, I had right at 9" under the front skid which is the lowest point on the jeep. I do not hit the front skid near as much as I did with the old 29" tires. They are only 1" bigger, but i got more than an extra 1/2 of lift with them. Almost 3/4in actually.

Jeepin Al · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:54 pm

Id have some 1" or 3/4 steel or alum plate cut and punched to lower the cradle
or just do testing with washers then have the plate cut.

Can I use washers for the Tranny and Tranfer case spacers??

Say Al - can you elaborate a little on the items below and anything else you can think of for a small drop of 3/4 to 1"

longer cradle bolts
drop the steering column
tranny spacers
transfer case skid plate spacers
loosen the raditor hoses

I used 2 inch tube, 1/4 thick. Flat steel of 2.5 wide and 1 inch think will work also.

See this thread:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... sc&start=0

And

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... sc&start=0

With only an inch, you may be able to get away with the stock bolts. You can use washers for the tranny mount and transfer skid.

I steering column is held in place by a rubber bushing and two 10MM nuts accessed from the wheel well. I would drill under the holes only about 1/2 inchin and slot the bolt holes so you can slide the holder downward.

When you drop the cradle it will put pressure on the hoses, they will in turn put pressure on the plastic parts. Loosen them up and they will spin when you lower the cradle.

You will need to cut the spacer at the collapse point in the cradle, or in an accident the KJ may not crush right. The cradle has a notch in it for the crush zone.

I welded the spacer to the cradle. I would not use just washers since the cradle supports the unibody and vice-verse.

Al

kjhawaii · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:11 pm

Thanks Al for the input - Maybe this should be moved to fabrication since it seem more then just and Idea now.

Sounds completely doable to me. I have to tear the KJ apart again anyways to finish the front bumper guard Im building. I like how you have the hitch intergated and will take that into consideration. Im going to wash all my vehicles today and will post some pics of what I have going on now before I attempt the cradle drop. thanks KjHawaii.

Matt400 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:41 pm

One thing I don't like about the Steeda joint is it doesn't look very durable for off road use, mud, snow, water etc..

Question - Problems doing a 1" cradle drop

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