any reason to not go with coilovers?

[jeep-N-montero]

I spent the last few hours entertaining the option of installing coilovers on my 98, you can buy them in various lengths and travel. For about the same money as the complete OME kit I could replace all of my shocks and springs with coilovers and get rid of the torsion bars. What say the masses?

 

[tarditi]

Coilovers are nice, but if you're out & about may be harder to replace if you have a failure. Also depends on the GVW, since the suspension and dampening are integrated into a single unit. Are you going for something like a long-travel desert runner or what?

 

[Chief]

I've been thinking about doing the same to my '97, using Gen 3 components as a starting point. So, I say go for it, I'll be keeping a close watch on any build threads.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Coilovers are nice, but if you're out & about may be harder to replace if you have a failure. Also depends on the GVW, since the suspension and dampening are integrated into a single unit. Are you going for something like a long-travel desert runner or what?

You can match the spring rate and dampening to the application/weight/purpose of the vehicle, that part is easy. If you look at something like this it will simply replace the stock front shocks http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fox-Shock-2...Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d104eb18d&vxp=mtr and eliminate the torsion bars. I would have to measure a few other things but those may fit without any other modifications than an upper shock conversion. I will also see if the upper shock mount on the frame is bolted or welded on, that may open a few more options as well for more travel into the wheel well.

 

[Toasty]

Totally do it, huge upgrade. This all assuming you have the skills to do the conversion or the money to have it done.

You could probably use Suzuki Samurai aftermarket shock hoops, they are probably really close to the right height.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Totally do it, huge upgrade. This all assuming you have the skills to do the conversion or the money to have it done.

You could probably use Suzuki Samurai aftermarket shock hoops, they are probably really close to the right height.

I would be doing it all myself, I will look into the hoops you mentioned.

 

[Toasty]

http://www.trail-gear.com/samurai-shock-hoops

They are pretty short compared to normal shock hoop kits, take some measurements and see how they'd fit. you going dual spring rate? i think that would really take advantage of the IFS

 

[SoCalMonty]

If you have the time/money/skills to swap to delete the torsion bars, you may as well convert the front end to a live axle while you're at it. It wouldn't make much sense leaving it IFS at that point, especially considering you wouldn't be able to utilize the extra travel that a totally custom shock and spring setup would afford you.

Keeping IFS = polishing a turd. You wouldn't get much out of it.

 

[eurosonic]

I'm all for it. Would love too see some one do something besides OME and ironman off the shelf stuff.

Interested in fab design for the front.

What about rear? Would you eliminated the stock spring location?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

If you have the time/money/skills to swap to delete the torsion bars, you may as well convert the front end to a live axle while you're at it. It wouldn't make much sense leaving it IFS at that point, especially considering you wouldn't be able to utilize the extra travel that a totally custom shock and spring setup would afford you.

Keeping IFS = polishing a turd. You wouldn't get much out of it.

We will see, but I bought the Montero because it has IFS, but every bit of extra travel in the front helps.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I'm all for it. Would love too see some one do something besides OME and ironman off the shelf stuff.

Interested in fab design for the front.

What about rear? Would you eliminated the stock spring location?

I'm not sure if I would use the path of travel following the factory shocks or the coils.

 

[Toasty]

We will see, but I bought the Montero because it has IFS, but every bit of extra travel in the front helps.

No in the front when you gain travel you also put your CVs and tie rods at more critical angles where they break. Here in Az where most of our wheeling is rock crawling we've all done low profile bumpstops, no bump stops, balljoint flips, longer UCAs ect and it all ends in more broken parts. After the last Sierra trip we learned stock amount of travel = not breaking CVs and or tie rods BUT we all run gears lockers and 35's or 37's.

The other parts we chew through were UCA shafts, idler arms <ha ha ha ha ha ha idler arms...... It's a Montero thing.

 

[Toasty]

If you have the time/money/skills to swap to delete the torsion bars, you may as well convert the front end to a live axle while you're at it. It wouldn't make much sense leaving it IFS at that point, especially considering you wouldn't be able to utilize the extra travel that a totally custom shock and spring setup would afford you.

Keeping IFS = polishing a turd. You wouldn't get much out of it.

This is spot on, that's why i bought a rock assault front axle :wings:

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I still have a Jeep on long arms and 35's for the tough stuff, the Montero will be our expo vehicle but want it to be as capable as possible with IFS.

 

[SoCalMonty]

This is spot on, that's why i bought a rock assault front axle :wings:

I'm curious about this axle...could you send me a link? Thanks!