Yes I was very lucky to score an AR lower on 12/28 in a sea of non existance. Going to the SHOT Show next week in Vegas to try to find the rest of the parts.
For those that don't know the SHOT Show is just like the SEMA show, but for guns.
I also got my Kel-Tec Sub2000 just before the end of 12. Pretty well equiped now.
Randy: you have a couple of problems with your front end. First your drag link is over the top of the tie rod. Obviously as the springs settle interferance occurs. Moving the steering gear forward will fix that. But the way it is, can't be,,, simply because everytime you hit a bump the two rods will collide. I think you have already figured this out.
The problem with the springs is not going to go away permanently with new springs. You kind of have to plan on it happening. If your suspension will cycle all the way side to side and then compress all the way to the Bump Stops and not interfer with anything, then it won't matter if the spring settles.
It looks like you have Wrangler Springs? They are most likely to settle of all of them out there. You mentioned Alcan which is good. Another readily available brand that is very good is Old Man Emu which seem to hold their arch better than most.
I personally would recommend the spring over conversion. You get 4-5" of lift automatically with stock height springs. It also gives you built in clearance which is less affected by spring collapse. I would also recommend the shackle reversal as it will make your Jeep run down the road better and wander less. Also as your suspension compresses the axles moves towards the rear so you would get some more tie rod clearance in the deal as well. The angle that the spring sits,,, IE; front higher than rear,,, also makes the Jeep take head on bumps better.
I have never understood why Jeep made the shackle forward design over the shackle rearward design. I know they tried both because my 1960 CJ 5 had the shackles in the rear from the factory. The difference in he way the vehicle drives is noticable, and especially so as the vehicle ages. The shackle forward Jeeps get loose quickly and become a chore to drive long distances.
The reason why I went with Fiberglass springs on the DeScrambler is because they don't settle, rust or squeek. I don't know if Teraflex still makes the kit but if they do I would recommend them above all others. I think they had problems with people not installing the kits correctly and then taking them out in the rocks and abusing them causing some failures. I do know that the factory test Jeeps still have theirs installed and have been in use after nearly 10 years, so I'm inclined to believe the idiot factor as being the main problem with the product.
The actual springs themselves came from early Chevy Astro vans which use them in the rear. The same spring was used on Corvette rear suspensions thru the 70's and 80's so the actual concept is well proven. Each one of my springs weighs 13 lbs. considerably less than any Steel Spring.
some ideas for you to ponder.
Randy
To get links and pictures in your signature, you have to be a paid supporting forum member. Basic free users have basic signatures.
