Hmm...older axle hanger with newer axle...hmmmm

[Nightpath]

I'm almost done my Eagle full swap, and I was looking at the rear of my Eagle which is up pretty high now. I realized that I still have a few things laying around, 1 being the longer passenger side hanger from the older axles.

Since I have to make a custom bracket for the drivers side, would using the passenger side longer bracket make sense for doing a bit of a lift? Basically it'll push the axle down an inch or so further, which should also help keep the springs extended a bit more (I have spring spacers, but I'd rather do a few more things to keep the distance).

So...older longer hanger with the newer style axle, would it give me a bit more clearance? I think it will, not much though but a bit to work with.

[carnuck]

The longer pass side hanger was only '80 till early '82 with non-vacuum axles (all had NP119 tcases probably) I'm not sure the exact length difference but I would put the equal spacers on driver's side to match so it sits level or you will tear up CV joints and you'll already have a custom pinion hanger so make sure the pinion is leveled to match. I'd consider a CV front driveshaft to take away any vibes too. (which the XJ should have)
   It will help with axle angle if you lift the front but cut down ground clearance slightly. It's part of how I lifted my first Eagle (I also put a spacer between the engine crossbar and frame but didn't quite get it right so I had vibes)

[Nightpath]

I have a early and a later hanger, I was sitting at work thinking about it.

I might just keep it stock and use the spring spacers I have. I'm not taking the car offroad anyways.

[eaglefreek]

I'm sorry, I just want to make sure we are on the same page. Are you saying that lowering the front axle will raise the front suspension? If so, that's not going to do it. The front axle is independent of the suspension. Now if you mean lowering the axle to align the cv axles if you have a lift, it might help a little, but not worth the trouble in my opinion.

[mudkicker715]

I agree with eaglefreek. The suspension is limited to the lower a arm bottoming out. I lowered my axle once to fix what i thought needed to be done since i lifted one of mine 2". I was tearing up halfshafts  on one side. It ended up being a bad basically non existant motor mount on that side.

as far as the limits are iirc 3" is max and that a arm is right at the frame than.

[carnuck]

The spacer between the frame and engine crossbar also needed either a custom upper arm with drop built in.