Track Jeep

JeepingJay · 12-06-2009, 09:27 PM

So I have this radical idea to turn my 1990 Jeep YJ into *somewhat* of a track/street car, IE. better handling. I realize that this is pretty off the wall idea, or atleast I have not found anything of the sort online. The goal is upgrade the handling and I was wondering how I might go about doing this on a wrangler.

Flynnster · 12-06-2009, 09:29 PM

Sell it.

Serisouly though, it's not made to handle well.

JeepingJay · 12-06-2009, 09:51 PM

Yeah I understand that, but that's half the reason I wanted to try and make it better. I've never seen it before, I'm not looking for Indy car style handling by any means. However, I'm not sure of this idea AT ALL, so anything to deter will be taken into consideration as well. That's why I came here to get all the input/ideas I can.

This whole idea stems from my friend who has a track ready 198something BMW E30 which has similar length wheelbase.

T-birdJunkie · 12-09-2009, 03:59 PM

Lower it.
Install NP242 transfer case for AWD dawg
brakes from ZJ
??????
Profit

**alexrule123** · 12-09-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-birdJunkie

Lower it.
Install NP242 transfer case for AWD dawg
brakes from ZJ
??????
Profit

Don't forget swaybarz

T-birdJunkie · 12-09-2009, 04:59 PM

Dawg U NEED IT SO STIF
IT WONT NEED SWAYBARS Y0

Darky · 12-14-2009, 02:18 PM

Tj/XJ D30 for coils up front? Never heard of 4 leafs being made to handle well. Have see a few XJs and MJs turned into fairly decent track performers. Back in the 80's there was a racing program for the MJ, theycompeted in SCCA racing against other compact trucks. The MJs dominated against the Toyotas, Nissans, and S10s of the day.

WCoon · 12-14-2009, 02:28 PM

You'd have to do some major suspension work. It would be even better to just swap in some independent suspension. Maybe a complete IRS from a Cobra and make some custom control arms for the front? Also your steering is going to feel weird. I suppose you could just swap an engine cradle in with the rack and get independent suspension all around. It would look pretty funny seeing a YJ hang with Miatas around a road course.

Moto44 · 12-19-2009, 08:33 PM

I track motorcycles and a Lotus Elise. For fun I took the Wrangler out on the track, as you see here. It was unbelievably slow. I knew it couldn't compare to the Lotus, but the only thing that made this fun was trying to keep it from rolling over. Honestly, I'm not sure there is another vehicle on the market that would be less fun than the Jeep on the track.

JeepingJay · 12-19-2009, 09:09 PM

Yeah, I have a few ideas now that I've been looking into this more. A lot of customizing for sure, but I got a full machine shop at my fingertips, so let the customizing begin right? Thanks for all your help I'll post some pictures of it. I won't get to the suspension for awhile, I just finished dropping in my Chevy 350, not running yet but with in the week it will be.

Moto44 · 12-20-2009, 09:27 AM

I wish you the best of luck. Stiffening and flattening the suspension will definitely be important. Two more things to consider...lowering the center of gravity and lowering the vehicle weight.

Most people get too caught up in horsepower. Handling is about accelerating, braking, and turning. More horsepower only improves acceleration. Lowering a vehicle's weight improves all three.

driftjunke24 · 01-07-2010, 02:01 PM

You would have to do coil springs all around to get a better handling balance. Leaf springs are too linear and cause binding when cornering weight is applied. Eibach will make you custom wound springs, whatever spring rate and length you desire. Ground Control makes great coilover sleeves for corner weighting, but you will have to modify your axle tubes to mount a strut on top to run a true coilover setup. If you lower too much, you will run into clearance issues with the oil pan on the front axle. I think you are limited to 2" drop in front.

In my mind, too difficult. I'd suggest saving your money for a Miata which makes a perfect cheap, little track car to have fun with.

birddogin · 02-18-2010, 07:35 PM

lower it, a mustang II front end under it would be cool to try there would be alot of fab work to do

yz360 · 02-18-2010, 10:06 PM

my brother is building 1978 cj5 that you could call a track street jeep more steet... up front it has a DJ5 front end 2wd with lowering blocks 4in, rear end is the d44 with 5in lowering blocks (levels it out) stock body bushings... motor will be a sbc 350 thats is all fresh and a turbo 350 trans... rear tires are 29 in m/t tires... hmmm hard to explain with out pics but the front of the grill ended up being at the middle of my stomach and im only 5'7 i will try to get pics of it...

yz360 · 02-20-2010, 12:53 PM

this is what it was before

12-06-2009, 09:51 PM	#3
JeepingJay Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 10 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Yeah I understand that, but that's half the reason I wanted to try and make it better. I've never seen it before, I'm not looking for Indy car style handling by any means. However, I'm not sure of this idea AT ALL, so anything to deter will be taken into consideration as well. That's why I came here to get all the input/ideas I can. This whole idea stems from my friend who has a track ready 198something BMW E30 which has similar length wheelbase.

12-19-2009, 09:09 PM	#10
JeepingJay Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 10 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Yeah, I have a few ideas now that I've been looking into this more. A lot of customizing for sure, but I got a full machine shop at my fingertips, so let the customizing begin right? Thanks for all your help I'll post some pictures of it. I won't get to the suspension for awhile, I just finished dropping in my Chevy 350, not running yet but with in the week it will be.