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by JeepFan
I picked up the Rancho RS9000
shocks and a set of bump stops from OK
Auto. I then proceeded to install them into the Jeep. The fronts
(a) are very easy and the rear ones are almost the same, I also reconnected the
swaybar disconnects (b).
On a sidenote, before I began this project I intended on
flipping the steering tie rods to gain clearance and eliminate the need for a
drop pitman arm. This is accomplished by reaming the top of the steering
knuckle to match the contour of the tie rod end and installing a metal cone into
the bottom of the knuckle to match the straight end if the tie rod. First
the tie rods were removed (c) then I measured them to determine how far the
reamer should be driven into the knuckle. The reamer I used was a Snap-On
hand reamer I borrowed from Jason at OK Auto (Thanks Jason!). It took a
while to ream the holes but I took my time to get the depth right. I then
installed the cone (e), I needed to file a couple of them to get the right fit.
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
(g) |
(h) |
The tie rods were then
reinstalled in an upside down position (f & g). There is about a
3" gain in clearance with this done (h). This should keep the nasties
from bending tie rods so easily.
With all this stuff being
completed I took the Jeep back to my test stump, I noticed that the front shocks
seemed a bit short. The shocks I had only left about an inch (i) of inward
travel on the stump and I think the axle might compress more so I looked for a
shock that better fit the requirements. The Rancho RS9000 shocks come in
many different lengths so it was easy to find what I needed. The new front
shocks I got allowed 2" (j) of extra inward travel with my Jeep on the
stump, a true test will be on an articulation ramp. I also played around
with bump stops (k), an important part of a suspension system that is often
overlooked is the bump stops. These devices keep the suspension from over
compression, which can damage the components of the system like the shocks,
springs, body parts, etc. Rancho also offers many varieties and lengths of
bumps, I measured my Jeep and got the ones that will stop the axle just before
the shock bottoms out (l)
On to page 5,
Almost finished.
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