Solid axle swap??

[SS eagle]

Well I was thinking about maybe doing a solI'd front axle swap and I am seeking the advice of the people who did these swaps before.firstly what kind of jeep should I use I was thinking like a 90s Cherokee and what is the simplest way to do this(I am not saying it is simple)or what was the way you did and if it is posible do you have and pics of the hole process. I was thinking if the eagle is a unibody then it should have a subframe so if you just remove that plus getting area preped and removing all the parts then cutting the jeep frame so that the peice I cut will be the same length as the stock subframe and welding it to the body

[MontanaEagle]

I think Regal Wizard said her and Mick were going to attempt to do a write-up about the axle swap "sometime this year"  I'm looking to do the same thing on Francine, so I'm looking forward to that write-up too

[mudkicker715]

Plumb bob and imagination for creativity when using leaf springs as I did.

[thereverendbill]

I'd go with the non axle disconnect front axle if your going to use an XJ front axle 

[Mavericke]

I like mudkicker's idea - Bill actually mentioned it to me before as well and I'm going to attempt it later this spring.

From what I gather, the big difference is perfomance that's only going to be noticed if you're climbing. My guess is the leafs are probably a pretty rough riding ride.... but small sacrifice for more clearance, better looks, and probably an easier job. I've not done either - so I can't say which is easier and "best" in the long run, but I do know the whole advantage of using coil springs all around is better individual movement and smoother ride. You won't get that with leafs. But again, I'm not building a rock crawler or a daily driver.... I'm building a good looking, lifted Eagle to take to shows and Meets. Which is why again, for me anyways, I think the leafs are going to be cheaper and easier.

And again, I can't take all the credit for that info or my decision... Mudkicker obviously did it first and Bill gave me the idea back in the day.

[mudkicker715]

Also with leafsits best to have a high steer knuckle I need to convert mine still. I have parts but the snow bank just melted. Wj jeeps come stock with those.

[tougeagle]

I like mudkicker's idea - Bill actually mentioned it to me before as well and I'm going to attempt it later this spring.

From what I gather, the big difference is perfomance that's only going to be noticed if you're climbing. My guess is the leafs are probably a pretty rough riding ride.... but small sacrifice for more clearance, better looks, and probably an easier job. I've not done either - so I can't say which is easier and "best" in the long run, but I do know the whole advantage of using coil springs all around is better individual movement and smoother ride. You won't get that with leafs. But again, I'm not building a rock crawler or a daily driver.... I'm building a good looking, lifted Eagle to take to shows and Meets. Which is why again, for me anyways, I think the leafs are going to be cheaper and easier.

And again, I can't take all the credit for that info or my decision... Mudkicker obviously did it first and Bill gave me the idea back in the day.

Solid axle swaps in general will decrease ride quality and adjustability, but obviously will increase offroad performance. When I get another wagon, I'll be doing an SAS  on it, and using coils. coils seem to allow for better articulation, and stand up to hard abuse a lot better (hence why baja 1000 trucks use them). Should also be a bit easier of a swap, since you can use the stock spring perch. Big concern would be making sure the oil pan is not in harms way, along with exhaust, if going for minimal lift.

[SS eagle]

Well my dad has a old cj5 with leafs front and rear and that thing doesnt ride bad at all

[tougeagle]

Solid axle swaps in general will decrease ride quality and adjustability..... Should also be a bit easier of a swap, since you can use the stock spring perch. Big concern would be making sure the oil pan is not in harms way, along with exhaust, if going for minimal lift.

Ummm.... One, no (for me, at least), ride quality was not decreased, if anything it improved, & I fail to see how a SAS is any less adjustable then stock IFS. Two, stock spring perch, not so much, unless you are keeping the lift to a minimum, but even that may be tricky. Oil pan & exhaust shouldn't be any kind of issue if you never off road the car; it's only when you start crawling over sharp pointy rocks & coming down heavily onto hard surfaces that dents, holes, & squashed pipes become an issue - but even then, skid plates can be made & bolted into place.

I won't go into suspension geometry, articulation angles or anything like that, but there is a very big reason every newer 4x4 vehicle that isn't a 3/4 or 1 ton has IFS and IRS in some cases. If it improved ride quality over bumps, your front end was in sorry shape.

Appropriately placed bumpstops help with exhaust and oilpan issues.

[Sunny]

but there is a very big reason every newer 4x4 vehicle that isn't a 3/4 or 1 ton has IFS and IRS in some cases.

Because no one uses a 4x4 for offroad anymore. [Sadly]
Everyone wants their SUV to drive like a Corolla hah.
I get so many complaints at the shop I work at, because people buy giant SUV's and want touring tires on them instead of semi-aggressive tread patterns like they come with.
People buy their huge 4x4's for the mall.
I don't know how much articulation you need there.. maybe run up on a curb or something 

But look at something more offroad oriented like a Wrangler. Still comes with a solid axle.
Most SUVs have an over-softened suspension these days.

Solid axles are a lot more durable though. The reason a lot of 3/4 or 1 ton trucks ride like crap, is the suspension is setup to hold a lot of weight, so unloaded they 'bounce or float' a lot. I get the fun task of breaking in the new construction trucks before there is any equipment on them for my dad's company, they're all fine after you get some weight into them.

Each has pros/cons.
Baja trucks are also rebuilt constantly and cost hundreds of thousands. Not exactly a fair comparison. A Baja Trophy Truck runs just over a million to build.

Coil overs work well though.

No matter what though, I would put skid plates on anything I took offroad [and I do.]

[SS eagle]

Sadly that's what the world has come to you see more house moms drive 4x4 than guys!!!

[tougeagle]

but there is a very big reason every newer 4x4 vehicle that isn't a 3/4 or 1 ton has IFS and IRS in some cases.

Because no one uses a 4x4 for offroad anymore. [Sadly]
Everyone wants their SUV to drive like a Corolla hah.
I get so many complaints at the shop I work at, because people buy giant SUV's and want touring tires on them instead of semi-aggressive tread patterns like they come with.
People buy their huge 4x4's for the mall.
I don't know how much articulation you need there.. maybe run up on a curb or something 

But look at something more offroad oriented like a Wrangler. Still comes with a solid axle.
Most SUVs have an over-softened suspension these days.

Solid axles are a lot more durable though. The reason a lot of 3/4 or 1 ton trucks ride like crap, is the suspension is setup to hold a lot of weight, so unloaded they 'bounce or float' a lot. I get the fun task of breaking in the new construction trucks before there is any equipment on them for my dad's company, they're all fine after you get some weight into them.

Each has pros/cons.
Baja trucks are also rebuilt constantly and cost hundreds of thousands. Not exactly a fair comparison. A Baja Trophy Truck runs just over a million to build.

Coil overs work well though.

No matter what though, I would put skid plates on anything I took offroad [and I do.]

Very true. I guess what i mean is swapping to solid axle on an eagle in hopes of improving ride quality is going to generate the opposite effect. However, if doing so for function, it works out quite well And, I agree about the whole SUV thing. Most people use them as grocery getters, and that's it. My family is of a dying breed I guess... when we had the 95 Bronco, my dad used to take it camping, fishing and wheeling all the time. Did the same in mom's '00 land cruiser too, though thanks to tight schedules it's back to being a 'getter. I can't stand seeing someone lift a truck and put all this pretty crap on it and never use it. Most joke (j/k... as in 07-up wrangler) owners I see around are that way, fancy warn bumpers, winches, tires etc, and not a single tree scrape on the pretty black paint. All the TJ owners and XJ owners know what's up though

[SS eagle]

Same here we don't even have a SUV but my dad still finds ways to go off roaring in our 97 grand am!!!

[SS eagle]

There really isn't a way to stop a punctured oil pan I mean it happen just have to learn from your mistakes and try not to do it again when a trail looks like you might get your self in trouble or think you will hurt then don't second guess yourself I learned this through my dirt bike and have carried it over lot of sharp rocks sticking up then don't go there using this method I haven't gotten my self in trouble once!

[Sunny]

I have a few pictures I should post of my skidplate bent in a V from a few unexpected objects during water crossings etc. I just unbolted it.. heated it up with torches and bent em back.. and bolted back on