Moving the GW rear axle back?

[Jason H. Rea]

Anybody tried this. Moving the rear axle of a GW further back to improve the departure angle.

I have been considering getting a GW as a tow rig and part time wheel rig, but have never like that departure angle. There is a guy in my club with a 77 cherokee that has the simular body style. He has smacked that rear end several times on rocks and small drops. It's like nails on the chalk board eveytime.

I would only be going up to like 32s at the largest, and would like to be able to wheel the rig out here in the desert without worrying about the rear end everytime I go off a 6 inch drop.

[J10Mike]

riverbeast moved his rear axle back i believe using suburban springs. but, i'm not sure.

[River Beast]

I relocated the rear axle back 4.5" using 96 Burb springs... Mike is correct... but you cannot do this without relocating the rear mount due to the springs being longer than the FSJ springs.

[Jason H. Rea]

Do you have any pictures of the rear? I tried searching your site but didn't find anything?

[River Beast]

They are not on the site yet.. waiting to complete all the mods before I revamp the entire site...

here is the stock location:
http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeautie/images/RB_step1.jpg
removal of the entire assembly:
http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeautie/images/RB_step2.jpg
Burb springs in front without overloads:
http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeautie/images/RB_step3.jpg
4.5" difference in the centerpins:
http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeautie/images/RB_step4.jpg
after the install:
http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeautie/images/RB_step5.jpg

This was all done to accomodate ALL STEEL W/T flares BEHIND the rear doors... notice this uses my Rear Shackle Flip Kit which allows me to relocate the rear hanger rearward for the longer springs... my kit can only be used with SOA applications.. sorry...

here is a shot of the W/T conversion... the entire reason I did this:
http://home.earthlink.net/~riverbeautie/images/RB_step6.jpg

[blt2krl]

The tires in that last shot look kind of small don't ya think. :D

[River Beast]

um.. yeah Paul.. I'll take your 39.5's as a 'small' donation... :D

Give me time.... I need to get more stuff done before they go on my friend...36x12.50x16 TSL Radials are up for sale....less than 1000 miles on them... $650 FIRM plus shipping... any takers?

[full_hydro]

i moved mine back about 3" ... we fabricated new hangers and used chevy 56" springs...

i should have just put the work into a coil suspension.. :(

[Frank in Norway]

I moved my axle back about 3" when I did the coils. At the same time I shortened the rear end about 8".
Also moved the front axle a little forward.

http://www.fullsizejeep.com/1024/pics/gallery/115%20rear%20spring%20mount.jpg

http://www.fullsizejeep.com/1024/pics/gallery/209%20small%20climb.jpg

[Jake_S]

Like RB said, the easiest way would be to use 'Burb springs, but you have to use springs from a '93 to present springs. The older springs are too short to fit our rigs.
Jake

[Manhattan]

As a first step, ditch the stock bumper! Not only is it low, it's a **** shovel and an anchor...

This is a Bushwood on 33s with 4" springs. The bumper has an integrated skid plate the runs under the frame to let it slide off rocks, etc.

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/1984-1992-GrandWagoneers/BushwoodRear.JPG

[KYJ10]

Depending on how much you need, the easiest way to gain some is use off set pads. They will move you axle back 1.5". I used them and chevy springs, and have a real good angle. Or like Frank and I am doing, go coils, and have the best angle possible. Dennis