[AFcj5Mudder]

So, in the next few months (whenever i finally get the cash) i am planning on starting my axle project. I am going to go with full width 2 1/2 ton Rockwell top-loaders, most likely with hydraulic rear steering. I am putting them on my 1980 CJ-5, and i KNOW i am going to run into a ridiculous amount of complications. I had planned on widening my frame on the spring mounts, but since the rockwell fronts are centered diff's, i do not know if i will need to, any suggestins? also, i am thinking that i may need to go with different springs for these monstrous axles, but i do not know, since the vehicle isnt changing weight any above the springs. I want to put on some revolver shackles, and go with some beefy custom CV driveshafts, to transfer the ponies from the 350 to the rockwells (yay!!). Besides the usualls for lifting (brake lines, steering, etc.) are there any HUGE problems that i am going to run into that i have overlooked? Any tips/hints are greatly appreciated.

[80cj]

Just curious. What kind of four wheeling do you do? Dana 60's not enough?

[AFcj5Mudder]

For now i do alot of mudding and hill climbing. I have had to rebuild my axles multiple times a piece, both from water getting inside and from just ripping the insides apart with my chevy small block and.....aggresive driving habits? I am bringing it out to colorado next summer, so i will be doing ALOT of rock crawling and trail riding. i do realize that smaller axles would probably work, but i wanna feel safer knowing that my axles will be able to take just about anything i can throw at them. a little overkill never hurts does it?

[knifeboy2]

A little overkill is usally good, but the axles you're talking about weigh a ton compared to D60's....and that weight will really hurt you when it comes to rock crawling. So sure they're strong as heck and you'll never break them, but the weight it just rediculous and the clearance sucks too.

[80cj]

Yes, a little overkill never hurts. I guess the CJ wil never be street driven again?

[AFcj5Mudder]

no, the only street driving that the jeep will be doing is to and from the trails, only if it is a close one! I am not TOO concerned with the clearance they offer, since i am going with 49" military truck tires. The weight will definatly be an issue, but i didnt think it would be as big of a drawback compared to the strength they offer. Besides 4-wheeling, the secondary function of this vehicle is going to be the "pull" vehicle. You know, when you go 4 wheeling and get REALLY stuck, there is always that one guy you call because you know that they can pull you out. After i do this and put on my 18,000lb PTO winch, i will be THAT guy.

[80cj]

Too bad you don't have more wheel base than a CJ-5 can offer. With all that height stability could be a problem especially climbing up and down steep hills, rocks, whatever. Good luck with your project.

[jeepmor]

Dude, you should just build a Unimog, that's the scale your talking about strength wise. I would not do this to a CJ5, ever. I have a CJ7 and have waltzed through some tricky/sketchy rock climbs and hills while my buddy with a CJ5 looked like he was going to go a** over teakettle the whole way. Many people who watched us take the same line commented on it. Just something to think about, I don't want to take the steam out of anybody's enthusiasm here. I think you'd be looking pretty good if you did this to a longer wheelbase rig like a scrambler, but a CJ5, your tires might actually rub into each other with that short of a wheelbase.
Can you say stomper 4x4?

jeepmor

[BESRK]

If you're dead set on running Rockwells on a CJ5 I would scrap the leaf spring idea and go full tilt boogie link suspensions front and rear and coils/coilovers. That way, you could shove the axles out at each end to get over 100" of wheelbase. If not, you won't be able to climb $hit without fear of flopping over on your back... especially with 49" tires. I don't know how your CJs frame is gonna hold up to the 600 lb axles pulling on it when you flex hard either. Look around over on Pirate and you'll get an idea of what it really takes to effectively run those monster axles under a trail driven rig. I just swapped a set of 1 ton axles from an M1008 truck under my 71 and I'm still sorting out fitment issues. I was able to stretch the wheelbase out to 99" and am running 42" TSLs. My goal was to stretch it, widen it and keep it as low as possible (I'd cut the body up rather than raise it for clearance). Whatever you decide.. good luck and post pics along the way.

[AFcj5Mudder]

terribly sorry, i forgot to mention that i will be lengthening the wheelbase about 6-8 inches on both ends. I would LOVE to go with a coil suspension system, but i am working on a low budget. I know if sounds strange for me to be complaining about money when under going such a huge project, but SO FAR all of the parts i need i have been able to pull from a buddy or something for a damn good price, and i have looked and dont think will be able to pull that for a new suspension. Ha, the thought of a long-arm drop system makes me drool, but the wallet dosent like the idea near as much. I was thinking along the same lines as BESERK for my body, cut it to keep from having to make it ANY more top heavy than it is allready supposed to be. I am going to try and lift it as little as possible and still get full flex to reduce the height, i am thinking that the massive width will help, since the tires will be COMPLETELY outside the fenderwells. i was hoping that with the extra width of the axles, and stretching the wheelbase, i would be stable enough , but from hearing everyone disagree i am getting second thoughts....
thanks for all the input! keep it coming if you have anything else..

[zipddoda-yj]

Hydraulic steering is not legal in most (if not all) states. Hydraulic assist is but not full hydraulic. So if you plan on driving it to and from wheel sites on the street don't put in rear hydraulic steering. If that cylinder leaks at 60MPH it will be one heck of a ride in the mountains.

[AFcj5Mudder]

I was planning on doing the rear steering as an optional thing, as in i could turn it off when i didnt want it, and it would self-center when off. My buddy is a hydraulics wizard, and has assured me that he could set it up that way, as well as giving it the ability to cross the feeds for the rear, so i could switch between standard quadra-steering, and turning the front and rear the same way, for crabbing. That is the plan at least, who knows if the money will last as long as my ideas do....

[knifeboy2]

Simply putting rear steering on a vehicle that did not come with it is the part thats less than legal. Its a whole gov. wants the roads to be safe from redneck engineering thing. And I don't know if you're state does vehicle inspections (mine doesn't), but if they do you'll never pass with rear steering. But its a fantastic mod and would be great for the trail......so you may have to trailer it more than you were planning.

[CJ Gunner]

Ya might wanna look at the most recent JP Mag. info regarding their BIG Jeep build up and their Rockwell challenges for sure. Axle wrap will be your constant companion with stock springs and the CJ springs won't do the Job 4 sure. Look at the Military 715 for suspension parts and take a long look at jpmagazine.com!

[alabamabuddog]

What about brakes? I dont know about all Rockwells but the ones Im looking at dont have brakes. There on the transfer case outputs.