[JohnnyGP]

I am a newbie so I hope I am posting correctly.
I have a 98 TJ with 33" tires, 4" Trailmaster lift, SYE, newly installed G2 Dana 44 (456 gears) in the rear. I am waiting for a Tera belly up transfer case so I installed rear adj upper control arms to adjust the angle of the rear diff to avoid driveshaft angle vibes.
2 problems.
1. My shocks have less than 2" of the piston showing so I am close to bottoming out the shock. I traded the Trailmaster SSV for Skyjacker Nitro 8000 and it didn't help much. (I guess it is good to have plenty of travel left)
2. My Warn Gas Tank skip plate hits my larger than usual G2 Dana 44 differential with 2 people in the back seat. The angle change on the diff looks like it reduced the space a bit between the tank and diff.
I have read and re-read numerous articles on BL vs Coil Spring lift but am still confused as to which would further separate the gas tank from the diff.
Any advice on how to avoid shock bottom out and gas tank hitting the diff?
THANKS!!!
PS Body currently looks level with empty rear seats but maybe "a bit" lower on the rear. One person drops the back a lot so maybe the Trailmaster springs are too soft?

[TheBoogieman]

Welcome to JF.Sounds like either your springs are shot or the shocks are too short.Skyjacker nitros are really stiff and don't ride well.The Hydros are much better.A BL won't help with the gas tank skid problem.

[Knuckelhead]

Loosen the mounting points on your gas tank skid and kick it to the rear as far as it will go, retighten mounting points. It's worth a try?...

[pmccoy9876]

Originally Posted by TheBoogieman

A BL won't help with the gas tank skid problem.

I agree. The gas tank mounts to the frame, and the body sits on top of the frame. Raising the body with a body lift will not change the distance between the gas tank skid and the rear differential. The only ways to add distance between the differential and the skid are to a.) Get a bigger suspension lift, which shouldn't be necessary, or b.) get an aftermarket gas tank skid that has more clearance (not sure if that's viable or not.)

Another option is open if you have adjustable lower control arms as well. If you have a fully adjustable suspension system in the rear, you could shorten all 4 control arms to bring the rear differential forward a bit, although that would shorten your wheelbase and possibly make the Jeep less stable.

Hope this helps! Welcome the Jeep community!

[Dogman]

Does your Warn skid have mounting holes or mounting slots? My Gen-Right skid has slots so you can slide the tank back about 3/4".

[JohnnyGP]

Originally Posted by TheBoogieman

Sounds like either your springs are shot or the shocks are too short.

Wouldn't it be the shocks are too long?
Since the springs are only 2 years old with little mileage, I was thinking they might be too soft and that is causing the problem.
BTW, I did notice the Skyjackers Nitros are far stiffer than the Trailmaster SSV. While I like the ride of the SSV better, I was planning on keeping the Nitros to help SLOW DOWN the shocks bottoming out from bumps. I know it won't help stop the weight causing the problems.

I am going to see if I can slide that gas tank backwards a bit. I should have thought about that in the first place.