Re: Good beam front axle candidate?
The Cherokee (XJ) suspensions are rated between 4700 - 4900 lbs GVWR depending on vehicle configuration.
I think the ZJ / Grand Cherokee with the same suspension / brakes in front (but other changes elsewhere) is rated to 5,300 GVWR.
WJ, the updated Grand Cherokee from 99-2004, has a GVWR of 5700 lbs. Twin piston brakes, 305mm rotors.
Hmm.
I have a Cherokee, is the main reason I thought of this particular family of suspensions. I also have WJ steering knuckles sitting in a box under my work bench. I think I'm quickly talking myself in to a XJ / WJ bastard beam axle + Explorer 8.8 or Dana 44a...
Not too many load-rated options out there for a Task Force owner, aside from a fully custom IFS or C10 adaption. I might have stumbled on a good one.
EDIT: More info
The XJ & ZJ front beam axles should be identical, as they use all of the same parts in 4wd versions I can't think of any needed changes with the 2wd versions. Set up for 4-link + Panhard & sway bar at the factory. Single piston brakes. Unit bearing construction w/ a dummy stub & axle nut. Ball joints upper & lower. About 60" wide. 5x4.5 bolt pattern, could use WJ hubs to get 5x5. Set up at factory to steer in front of axle, though I cant see a reason not to chop all the mounts off, flip it side for side & weld new mounts on at the proper caster angle. Basically, just turn it 180' and steer it from the rear.
The WJ axles should be ~62" wide. 4-link + panhard & sway bar again but with larger control arm bushings & a bend in the LCA to clear larger tires. Twin piston brakes, ball joints, dummy stubs, etc.
Last edited by yossarian19; 11-11-2012 at 08:24 PM.
Reason: thought of more info to include
|