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Jesse-James
01-03-2012, 07:36 PM
Picked this up yesterday in Howell, MI. It's an 89 (fu$#g Renix) Full width Ford D44 axles front and rear, welded carriers, 4.56 gears and rear disc brake conversion. Steering is kinda janky but strong. Double triangulated 4 link in rear, 3 link in front, Fox 12” coilovers on 36" TSLs. Air conditioning has been converted to on board air, rear cargo windows replaced with Lexan, unibody rails reinforced with 3x3x¼ angle from bumper to bumper, steel boxed in taillights, front doors are removable and the window switches are relocated to the dash. Was built for 38's but with 44s they guy I bought it from (not the builder) dropped it down to 36s. Looks like he cranked the front C.O.s down in front and not the rear, hence the rake.

Have some things I want to change but this things going to be a blast, can't wait to wheel it.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/389970_353766194640927_100000226473439_1619281_429 29677_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/407601_353766527974227_100000226473439_1619283_111 8504746_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/380835_353766774640869_100000226473439_1619285_117 3928812_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/381110_353767074640839_100000226473439_1619286_941 825983_n.jpg

4.3LXJ
01-03-2012, 08:52 PM
Everyone move aside, the big dog has come to town.

JENSSEN
01-06-2012, 11:37 PM
Good looking rig! Couple of questions though
- the rear links seem to be on the small side and the P/S one seems bent
- any issues with a welded front?
- Do the rear link bind on compression?

Jesse-James
01-07-2012, 12:23 PM
Good looking rig! Couple of questions though
- the rear links seem to be on the small side and the P/S one seems bent
- any issues with a welded front?
- Do the rear link bind on compression?

Not sure what you mean by small? The bent one is due to a hard landing link + rock + weight of rig = bent link. No binding that I can see, geometry looks good.

I've driven with a welded front on the trail before, no different feeling than a detroit, not enough traction on the trail to allow a full locker to break free anyways. With lockouts it's ok, wouldn't do it on a Jeep axle though.

bluedragon436
01-08-2012, 04:01 PM
Nice look rig.. I could def. see that being some fun on the trails..

Jesse-James
01-09-2012, 07:48 PM
Hope so, havent had it out yet. Still need a spare, mount fire ext/cb before my first run next month.

Then winch, tire carrier, paint, steering fix, etc.

bluedragon436
01-09-2012, 08:23 PM
That is a similar list to what I need to take care of before I can hit the trails with mine too.. Look forward to seeing some pics of the trail fun..

BlueXJ
01-10-2012, 09:07 AM
Is steering box stock or is it upgraded as well? I have heard that 44s require hydraulic steering.

Jesse-James
01-10-2012, 10:00 AM
I have heard that 44s require hydraulic steering.

Not sure why that would be.

It's stock for now but hydro assist is in the works. 35" tires are about the limit for standard steering if you play in the rocks at all.

4.3LXJ
01-10-2012, 10:18 AM
Yes, a standard box will work a D44 just fine. It has been that way for years on pick ups. It is the tire size that makes the difference.

Jesse-James
01-29-2012, 12:56 AM
Adjusted the coilovers and took some poser shots today.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417240_372885989395614_100000226473439_1676949_167 1363367_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/403730_372884029395810_100000226473439_1676910_605 034147_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/426237_372885146062365_100000226473439_1676944_163 3282328_n.jpg

Jesse-James
02-05-2012, 05:17 PM
Got me a winch.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/395830_378829588801254_100000226473439_1692937_185 4858853_n.jpg

JENSSEN
02-06-2012, 12:51 AM
I cannot wait to swap in the new diffs and skid the radius arms so mine will sit level like yours. Yours looks very stable fully flexed, mine on the nose not so much

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/403730_372884029395810_100000226473439_1676910_605 034147_n.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/21107f0d.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/426237_372885146062365_100000226473439_1676944_163 3282328_n.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/48ed0ae7.jpg

4.3LXJ
02-06-2012, 11:24 AM
Very flexy guys

Jesse-James
02-07-2012, 01:51 AM
I cannot wait to swap in the new diffs and skid the radius arms so mine will sit level like yours. Yours looks very stable fully flexed, mine on the nose not so much

exactly 38" floor to tire, front and rear both. The beauty of coilovers.

My YJ was rear biased like yours when I ran a 4 link rear and SOA front. It made for some interesting rides.

Made everything look harder than it was, good for drawing a crowd though.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i33/jlafaive/Badlands09/DSC03791.jpg

JENSSEN
02-07-2012, 10:49 AM
exactly 38" floor to tire, front and rear both. The beauty of coilovers.

My YJ was rear biased like yours when I ran a 4 link rear and SOA front. It made for some interesting rides.

It's actually quite stable, when I first ran the 4 link rear I was surprised on what I could drive into and out and still keep all the wheels planted. Now you are indeed correct it is very rear biased but that's due to the radius maxing out long before the rest of the suspension does. Once the front is corrected (eg: skid the radius arms) I will likely run a anti rock setup to keep all wheels planed firmly and keep it stable at speed especially when "airborne" happens lol