Calling all Rough Country 3" lift owners!!!

[Treadted2]

Hello there,

I put this lift on my 84 GW about 1.5 months ago. I had to take the 6 degree shim out for reasons your probably know. The drivetrain seemed aligned correctly with out a shim, however now that the springs have settled in, it seems to be out of alignment. She kinda shutters when accelerating from start, the transmission clunks around when I am on and off the gas, it shifts into gear roughly, and the whole thing just seems to be slightly out of balance, engine and all.

Has anyone experienced this with their own lift? Did you get the drive train aligned correctly? If so, what degree shim should be in there?

I have it with a mechanic who was supposed to do it over the weekend, but the guy hasn't touched it since Thurs.. I am going to go take it, and just forget about him. There is nothing worse than an unreliable mechanic. Think I can do it myself? I put the front springs on myself(backwards though!).

Thanks

Ted

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84' Grand Wagoneer "Dove"
-AMC 360
-Stock axles(AMC20(R) & Dana44(F)), tranny(?) & transfer case(NP229)
-MSD TFI upgrade
-K&N Air filter
-Rough Country 3" lift
-Heckelthorne Hydro shocks
-Yokohama Prodigy AT 31X10.5 tires
-American Racing 15X8 Chrome Nugget wheels
-blue fuzzy dice!!

*fuel injection and an MSD 6A ignition will soon be added. Hello 16-17 mpg!!

[jamchico]

I took mine to a driveline shop. Regular suspension guys didn't have the tech knowledge or high end tools. For me, the 3in lift put the angle of my drive line out of whack and I thought the rig was going to give birth everytime I hit the brakes. The guys who did the lift had no clue, and the drivline shop diagnosed the problem pronto.
Good Luck
Allen
69 wag

[Manhattan]

I've had my RC 3" in for several months and about 3,000 miles. The shudder disappeared as soon as I ditched the 6 degree shims - about .5 miles after installing the springs. There has been no vibration - accelerating, stopping - from 1 to 75 mph.

I have noticed a noise getting louder from the rear of the GW - I'm guessing U-joint or differential (please let it be a U-joint). I've got to assume it's from the angle of the drivetrain.

Jamchico, What did the suspension expert say? Did he shim the rear axle? Drop the T-case?



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a.k.a."Bushwood" '88 G-Wag' New 360, 3" Springs, 31" ATs, Custom Roof Rack, 2.5" Dynomax Exhaust... rest stock.

[trickc]

Ive got an older 4" r.c. lift,put in whatever
shims came with it and havent had any problems.Ted your banging rough chracteristics sound to me like a bad/loose
tranny mount. Hope it helps.

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74 cherokee nt,4"lift,
33's,lockers,winch,custom bumpers,what else is there?

[This message has been edited by trickc (edited January 02, 2001).]

[jamchico]

Manhattan, The drive line angle was way off after the lift (over 5*). So I replaced my old "T" style connection at the trans/driveline hookup with a modern cv joint. Two birds with one stone kind of thing. Works sweet now!
Allen
69 wag

[Manhattan]

Jamchico,
Did that require a new (or shortened) driveshaft? Did you "buy" the CV joint or make it?

[jamchico]

Manhattan, Yes they used my drive shaft. They cut the end off and attached the new joint.
Allen
69 wag

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

Hey Ted,

If you are looking for a good Driveline shop, look up TruckPro in the yellow pages. i had some wok done there a few months ago, and they were good guys. They usually deal with big rigs, so be sure to let them know what they are dealing with, lest they laugh you out of the store.

Daniel

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78 J-10 Rumblin Wreck (http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gte644i/TRUCK.jpg)
2v 360 V-8
Stock down to the rust
Highway speed in about an Hour

[Treadted2]

Thanks Daniel, I will look into that. I have to get my truck back first. The stupid mechanic locks it up behind a gate, and the guy is never there and won't answer calls. He runs a very un-respectable business. I gotta get rid of him.

Thanks again

Ted

------------------
84' Grand Wagoneer "Dove"
-AMC 360
-Stock axles(AMC20(R) & Dana44(F)), tranny(?) & transfer case(NP229)
-MSD TFI upgrade
-K&N Air filter
-Rough Country 3" lift
-Heckelthorne Hydro shocks
-Yokohama Prodigy AT 31X10.5 tires
-American Racing 15X8 Chrome Nugget wheels
-blue fuzzy dice!!

*fuel injection and an MSD 6A ignition will soon be added. Hello 16-17 mpg!!