New to Forum GenI Suspenion Question

[RMelton]

I'm new to the forum. Any help would be great.

I just picked up a 1989 Raider about 6 months ago. It is a 3.0L V6 so it has coils in the rear and torsion bars up front. Suspension lifts seem to be non existant. I have swapped the rear coils for the springs out of a GenII and cranked the torsion bars up which have given me 2-2.5" of lift. I wouldn't mind a littl more lift, but I would really like some more flex in the suspension. Any ideas out there.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Old Man Emu gen 2 springs will give another inch or so but that is about the only option other than coil spacers, it has all been discussed before.

 

[RMelton]

Old Man Emu gen 2 springs will give another inch or so but that is about the only option other than coil spacers, it has all been discussed before.

What about the the front suspension???

 

[jeep-N-montero]

What about the the front suspension???

It has been discussed before, search and read a bit.

 

[IncorpoRatedX]

useless not helping post

You could simply not reply if that's all you're going to say, man.

Gen 2 front suspension will give you more to work with but you're limited on travel when it comes to this set up. Focus more on locking the diffs and travel wont matter as much. We all lift a front tire every time we go wheeling, it's just how the Montero waves hello.

I suggest: Gen 2 rear axle with locker swap, gen 2 front control arms, knucks, brakes, axles. Toss in an Aussie locker in if you can find one. 1.5-2" body lift and some 35's

 

[Pdivizzle0112]

Aussie locker and manual hubs. Will get you further than any lift can and for way less. Just remember, by adjusting th torsion bars you're actually limiting your front flex since you're stiffening the suspension.

 

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

Just remember, by adjusting th torsion bars you're actually limiting your front flex since you're stiffening the suspension.

Actually, you're limiting your front flex because you're moving your upper control arm closer to the limit of its downward travel. It will have more room to compress, less room to extend.

+1 on locking the front with an Aussie Locker. I'm impressed with the one I've personally seen in action.

John B.

 

[Toasty]

I've done everything to gain flex up front, all comes at a loss somewhere. The best by far is to increase your rear suspension travel to compensate for the lack in the front, it makes a huge difference. What are your goals capability wise?

 

[RMelton]

Thanks for the info guys. And I tried searching, but being new to the forum I'm not sure how it all is set up. I'm just trying to get as much out of it as I can. I have a bunch of friends with lifted jeeps and a few with those fancy late model Toyotas. I'm just trying to keep up on a budget. I only have like $1400 in my ride as it sits so I'm doing pretty good. I just get a little scared its going to tip over sometimes. That this is short and narrow some it doesn't take much.

 

[IncorpoRatedX]

Thanks for the info guys. And I tried searching, but being new to the forum I'm not sure how it all is set up. I'm just trying to get as much out of it as I can. I have a bunch of friends with lifted jeeps and a few with those fancy late model Toyotas. I'm just trying to keep up on a budget. I only have like $1400 in my ride as it sits so I'm doing pretty good. I just get a little scared its going to tip over sometimes. That this is short and narrow some it doesn't take much.

You can likely keep up with the truck in stock form, definitely if you lock at least one diff, for sure if you lock both and get some good tires. You just need to learn how capable it is by using it more. they're extremely agile off road. I love the gen 1 swb the most when im off road with it.

 

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

definitely if you lock at least one diff, for sure if you lock both and get some good tires. You just need to learn how capable it is by using it more. they're extremely agile off road.

The more I see it in action, the more I'm sold on locking the front of an IFS rig first, before the back. It really sucks that the Aussie Locker wasn't available for very long - it's a solid piece of equipment. There's still an ARB RD-110, but that's for a Gen 2, if I'm not mistaken (not sure if that will fit a Gen 1 v-6) and it costs a LOT.

Having said that, I used to ROCK CRAWL my 87 2.6 truck with open diffs on 31's, driving a 5 speed stick and it still did pretty darn well. Like IncX says, drive it more and you'll amaze those Jeep guys.

John B.

 

[mudraider]

I'm with JBFP on locking the front. And if you are on a budget, welding up the front diff, going to manual hubs, and putting on some 35's (for the ground clearance) will take you pretty far in rolling with your spendy friends.

sent from my pretty good Android phone

 

[mudraider]

Then wh r n you get that done, do like Toasty said, and get some rear suspension travel. It's been covered, and that will help with your feelings of stability. Especially if you swap in an air locker, big disc brakes SR rear axle.

sent from my pretty good Android phone