Learn me: jeep xj racecar mode

ProDarwin wrote:

rslifkin wrote: FWIW, if you can live with the (significant) extra weight, a 1st gen Grand Cherokee (93 - 98) has the exact same front suspension as an XJ and a 4 link + track bar with coils in the rear

Will the rear setup swap onto an XJ?

Not as a bolt-in, as there's no control arm mounts or coil buckets on the XJ. But if you're willing to do a little welding, it could certainly be done. The axle widths are identical between a ZJ and an XJ, so you can just swap a whole rear axle and only have to fab the body side mounts (and most ZJs had rear discs too).

Really I just want to know how hard I'll get laughed at showing up to an SCCA autocross with a mostly stock XJ, and more importantly, would they let me run it? Based on wiki numbers it apparently passes their roll over risk chart thing. I'd probably put shorter/wider tires on it first for good measure.

For SCCA, I'm pretty sure it's too tall to run without being widened a couple inches or lowered. But IIRC, the safety steward at the event can choose to let it run anyway if he feels it's safe enough.

I've done SCCA rallyx events in my ZJ though and they haven't had an issue with it.

Put a full size truck dana 60 under the rear and widen the front beam? Will that fix this? Box flares would be required I assume.

Chadeux wrote: Based on wiki numbers it apparently passes their roll over risk chart thing. I'd probably put shorter/wider tires on it first for good measure.

Huh? Its got a track width of 59.xx and a height of 63.xx

Shorter tires may help a little. You have to increase TRACK, not width of tires... so different offset will help that. Still unlikely to get to it in range without lowering it.

rslifkin wrote: I'm sure it can be done with the Blazer, but the suspension (up front) isn't going to be as dirt simple to work with. Although, you do get the S10 crowd to source parts from...

I believe the front suspension is shared with the G body, which opens up a plethora of cheap circle track parts. Drop spindles and cut springs in front and lowering blocks in the rear should get you pretty low for not very much money at all. Add decent shocks, big sways, good rubber, and do something to correct the geometry in the front (IIRC the camber curve is pretty awful). Then, 350 swap it and you should have a pretty dang quick trucklet for challenge money.

If I ever get my E36 M3 together and actually do the challenge, this is quite possibly the route I would go.

Appleseed wrote:

So much yes

ProDarwin wrote:

Chadeux wrote: Based on wiki numbers it apparently passes their roll over risk chart thing. I'd probably put shorter/wider tires on it first for good measure.

Huh? Its got a track width of 59.xx and a height of 63.xx Shorter tires may help a little. You have to increase TRACK, not width of tires... so different offset will help that. Still unlikely to get to it in range without lowering it.

According to wiki the '94-'96 was slightly wider, no idea how much I actually believe those numbers, and I'd obviously do actual measurements before seriously attempting such a thing. I think ideally you'd want it lowered anyway.

Furious_E wrote:

rslifkin wrote: I'm sure it can be done with the Blazer, but the suspension (up front) isn't going to be as dirt simple to work with. Although, you do get the S10 crowd to source parts from...

I believe the front suspension is shared with the G body, which opens up a plethora of cheap circle track parts. Drop spindles and cut springs in front and lowering blocks in the rear should get you pretty low for not very much money at all. Add decent shocks, big sways, good rubber, and do something to correct the geometry in the front (IIRC the camber curve is pretty awful). Then, 350 swap it and you should have a pretty dang quick trucklet for challenge money. If I ever get my E36 M3 together and actually do the challenge, this is quite possibly the route I would go.

I think my issue with the S10 route is that the 4wd chassis has different control arm mounts, which is important because reasons of sketchy gutted V8 syclone-ish thing.