awc737

Awesome to hear Comanche Fanatic! Check it out, and then read down, it still needs some work: Throw out bearing is whining, reverse pops out and 2nd wants to. Not sure if the lift caused the shift issues or whining. I assume it's the Peugeot transmission. Not sure if the Peugeot is worth investing in, considering looking into AX-15. Also the front driveshaft hits the tranny crossmember. I need a custom crossmember, or CV driveshaft. Any suggestions?

I'm moving to Portland or possibly Vancouver in a few weeks. Nice Jeep those coils flex good. Yup, finally sorry it took so long, took a while getting funds. Custom bracket for the shackles. Went through the axles, all new brakes, 37x12.5 military tires, and now upgrading the tie-rod to heim joints also and it will be ready to wheel. Thanks, nice Jeep.

I live in Southern Oregon, Medford area. Jeeper, haha that CJ is not mine, but yeah that thing is a beast. Now I just need to find a machined flat top knuckle, high steer arm, and drag link... budget is tight. Let me know if you have suggestions for good price.

I actually decided to wait on full width axles. Finally found a deal on a pair coming right out of a 79 F250. I'm driving 2 hours tomorrow to hopefully buy them. Lol BDMT... I mostly do trails and mud. No crazy rock crawling, but trails are great and muddy up here in Oregon. I don't think it's too ridiculous. Was gonna do 4.88's, but now I'm getting the axle's with 4.10, I'll probably run it for a while on the 35's, and we'll go from there.

don't even know what to think so I'm just going to leave this here http://peoria.craigslist.org/cto/3890148079.html

Sure, let me know what you think of drag link that angle... My budget is exhausted if we go full width / high steer I'm gonna have to wait a few more weeks. Otherwise were finishing up today.

Sorry it's been so long, lots of waiting on parts and a few complications. I believe the mounting to the frame, reinforcement, the front cross member and shackle reversal, etc, all came out really well. The problem right now is do you think this drag link angle is too much or doable? I see a lot of other build threads where it ends up close to that. My only other option would be to hold off for full width, (ditch the ford 8.8 rear), and do a true high steer with flat top knuckles and the tallest high steer arm I can find. I'm not sure it will end up that much higher though, because I'm already using that bracket I linked earlier.

Thanks MiNi Beast, and sweet rig. How is the front leaves holding up for you? Frenching the shackles into the frame... what frame? Is the unibody strong enough? We were going to reinforce it then weld the mounts onto the reinforcement. I just don't see anyway to make up the huge difference in the front, without having an extreme angle.

OK well I admit I underestimated this amount of lift. I still think 35's will look somewhat normal without any trimming though. I will pretty much be doing high steer, with the raised bracket and 3" drop pitman arm, the drag link should be pretty level. Right now my question is about mounting the front leaves and shackles... I probably need to get the longest shackles possible, and put them in the front. Is this the only way? Will I almost definitely have bump steer? Why would death wobble be an issue?

I finally got a pic up, I need a bit of advice. I'd like to continue this in the project thread, thanks: http://comancheclub.com/topic/39197-soa-front-leaf-conversion-8-lift/

Sorry for the really long delay. Had a couple issues and took time to get the parts, but here it is sitting now. Decided to keep the Ford 8.8 rear, and unfortunately that leaves my options limited in the front, but I will regear 4.88, (35's for now), and probably upgrade the front axle. The problem is that we want to do a front shackle reversal. As you can see, the angle would be ridiculous. The front mounting location is soo much higher than the frame. My shackles are also not very long, because I tried to get the height to match the rear. Is putting the shackles up front, and probably building a cross member to lower them even more, the only way?

I really wish this worked with the Dana 44 since I already ordered it: http://www.jb4x4.com/store/jbrsb.htm My next cheapest option looks like this: http://www.bluetorchfab.com/Product/981/BTF-Cross-Over-Steering-Bracket-for-Dana-30-44-Knuckle.aspx It claims to work well for clearing drag link over SOA YJ springs. But then I would need heim joints... The cheapest knuckle I see is about $250, http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rei-d44001cr?seid=srese1&gclid=CIr2_8v79rcCFeU5Qgod2TQAXQ and the arm would be $125 (3" to be safe): http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Dana44crossover.htm You are right I am stepping into a new money bracket, the small crap is going to nickle and dime me to death, and I had pretty much spent my budget with the ford 8.8 / dana 30 setup. It just doesn't make sense to do all this welding though if I am going to want beefier axles later, so I need to suck it up.

Thanks guys. MiNi Beast, your comanche is a beast!! I am scrambling to buy a good set of 44's or 44/60. Let's say I find a front 44, what is the minimum parts i will need to get the drag link over the leaf springs? Will my steering parts / knuckles need to be different (other than width) if I go with a waggy 44 vs a f 250 44? Thanks.

I am probably just screwing myself with a Ford 8.8 because there aren't really any good front upgrade options with the same width... :doh:

I already have a Ford 8.8 pulled for the rear. I might have underestimated the height I will achieve, but it's hard to tell at this point. If I get 5 from SOA and have 4" springs (stock rear MJ shackles, YJ 1.75 front shackles), I should end up around 9" at the most, correct? Looking at different builds and claimed heights just confuses me more... For example, the first rig looks snug with 35's, the second rig looks 38's look small (9" vs 10"): http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rusty_rigs/rig.php?id=59&sort=primary_key%20DESC&lift8=1&mj=1&page=1 ttp://www.rustysoffroad.com/rusty_rigs/rig.php?id=2126&sort=primary_key%20DESC&lift8=1&mj=1&page=1 I jut want 35's to look decent until I have the funds to upgrade the front axle. But now I am also worried that a ford 8.8 + narrow front dana 44 will not be wide enough for this height. I know a good deal for a set of 78 F250 dana 44/60 (69" wms to wms) with 5.87 gears. I think those gears are too low and axles too wide, but what do you think? Which route would you take?

I've already ordered my parts, and we'll get this to work one way or another... so I figured I would just move this to a build thread: http://comancheclub.com/topic/39197-soa-front-leaf-conversion-8-lift/

I just picked up an 89 Comanche with 100,003 original miles, great condition. I'll have pictures up on Sunday. I used to have a lifted Mitsubishi Mighty Max, and contemplated doing a straight axle swap for a long time. This will be my third Jeep, and I have always wanted a Comanche since I was 16. All my friends drive big Toyotas, and I don't do any intense rock crawling, so I am building this to my liking: tall, light trails, mostly mudding. Here are the parts I have ordered, this build will take place next week. Hopefully be done by next weekend. Ford 8.8 rear, keeping Dana 30 front (for now) - 4.88 gears Front YJ Leaf springs, 4" lift - Rusty's offroad Rear MJ Leaf springs, 4" lift - Rusty's offroad 1.75" lift YJ shackles, to go in the rear of the front leaf springs 3.5" Drop pitman arm AA SYE TC drop RX35 shocks - Rusty's If a SOA gets 4-5 inches, once the leaf springs settle I anticipate 8" inches or so. For now I will run 35's. I think this setup will future proof me for when I am ready to trim, put a Dana 44 up front, and get bigger tires. The part I am sincerely concerned about is STEERING! Any one who has experience with big SOA YJ's, or can offer any advice please do. I just want to get the drag link to not hit the leaf springs. I know TERA and RRO make high steer kits for over $500, but I think they are for coils. This LOOKS like it might work: http://jb4x4.com/store/jbrsb.htm Seen in use: https://plus.google.com/photos/106141265775993604532/albums/5459311166661517569?banner=pwa Just not sure with my amount if lift if the drag link will clear the leaf springs. Thanks for looking.

I can't afford a 44 or 60 at the moment, I will run 35's. The Dana 30 should hold up for a bit. I don't want to trim, and all the Comanche's I am seeing have trouble fitting 33's on 6.5" lifts. I want this setup because it's the setup I want later to run 37"+, and all I will need is stronger axles and trimming. On that topic, is a 97+ TJ / JK my only option for a 5 lug Dana 44 or stronger? I am ordering this, and just going to pray it clears the drag link over the leaf springs: http://www.jb4x4.com/store/jbrsb.htm

For leaf springs, I decided to get front YJ and rear MJ 4" leafs: http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-suspension/jeep-leaf-springs-leaf-spring-accessories/jeep-yj-wrangler-86-95-suspension-lift-leaf-springs/rustys-leaf-springs-yj-4-front-each.html http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-suspension/jeep-leaf-springs-leaf-spring-accessories/jeep-mj-comanche-84-91-suspension-leaf-springs/rustys-leaf-springs-mj-4-rear-pair.html It's going to sprung over. I am trying to get this pretty level. The front YJ shackles should also be stock height, so I imagine it would size well with the rear shackles? I will just reuse my rear shackles though, not sure why I didn't think of that.

Hey everyone, I'll be starting a project thread soon with pics of my new Comanche, but right now I am putting together a parts list. So far: Extended Brake Lines = $90 Rear Shackles - 1.5" XJ = $70 Front Shackles - YJ = $60 Front Leaf Springs - 4" YJ (x2) = $160 Slip Yoke Eliminator = $190 Front YJ Shackle Mounts = $60 U-Bolts + Spring perches - Dana 30 / Ford 8.8 = $80 I am thinking it should net about 8" of lift, be much less expensive than a long arm kit, and simpler to maintain. I have no idea what to do for steering. I have been told I need high steer crossover steering. I don't see any kits like they have for Toyota's for under $500... Is this bracket going to lift my drag link above the leaves, and let me re-use all my old steering components? http://www.jb4x4.com/store/jbrsb.htm Thanks.