AWD strip suspension tech

[FlyinRyan]

I really don't know where to put this,,, but here goes.

My Jeep does a little bit of everything. I primarily use it on the street, but I do my fair share of trails and hit the strip probably once every month or two. I have a minor traction issue at my local 1/4 strip, even in AWD.

I am running basically a small lift (2.5" in front, 1.5" in back so it sits level). I also am running a solid 1" rear sway bar.
I know with a coil based suspension, having a lift and stock control arms my pinion angle is slightly out of whack. What I'm more curious about is suspension valving.

My rear shocks in particular are very stiff (i.e. high compression and relatively fast rebound). Would it be advantageous to go to a softer shock? I'm running different shocks up front that I believe are not a factor.

[sldhemi]

I would look into adjustable shocks. Call rancho or another suspension company and see what kind of adjustable shock options there are. You might be able to get something that tightens up to about where your current shocks are and be able to soften them up enough to make a difference on track days

[austin4.7]

and take your sway bars off before you go to the track

[SharaDon]

and take your sway bars off before you go to the track

And fix your pinion angle

[FlyinRyan]

And fix your pinion angle

I should have mentioned previously that my Jeep's has a triangulated 4 link (A-arm/wishbone upper arms, with lower control arms). They sell a A-arm spacer that corrects the angles , but it's meant for 3" of lift or more. They also sell lower control arms for stock up to 0-6" lift....But from my understanding, extending the lower arms would only make my pinion angle worse.

A set of adjustable front upper and lower arms would likely be what would be needed to correct my angles. But I would think since most of the power output is being sent towards the rear that it'd be more crucial to correct that somehow

[SharaDon]

I'm going to say this...

All you need is adjustable shocks. until you get your 60ft below 1.60

That should take you awhile.

[sldhemi]

I'm going to say this...

All you need is adjustable shocks. until you get your 60ft below 1.60

That should take you awhile.

This is very true, if the pinion angle is where it should be the only problem will be weight transfer, adjustable shocks will take care of most of that. Too much more than that and the traction mods start becoming crutches for poorly setup suspension. Get your pinion angle fixed and get a good set of adjustable shocks and watch that thing rip out the hole. Cut probably 2-3 tenth off your 60ft

[FlyinRyan]

This is very true, if the pinion angle is where it should be the only problem will be weight transfer, adjustable shocks will take care of most of that. Too much more than that and the traction mods start becoming crutches for poorly setup suspension. Get your pinion angle fixed and get a good set of adjustable shocks and watch that thing rip out the hole. Cut probably 2-3 tenth off your 60ft

Excellent post. I probably won't do anything immediately (I still have to solve this whole not-enough-power thing first lol), but I am certainly evaluating my options.

Is the general consensus to just go to a plain-jane adjustable shock (a la Rancho, KYB adjustables, etc) or to spend the extra $$$ on some more drag-friendly adjustables that fit my app (22" extended length)? How awful are adjustable drag shocks on the street? I know alot of companies that sell drag shocks blab about them being for off-highway use only but usually such a disclaimer is just to cover the mfg's butt.

[sldhemi]

Most people go with a rancho, qa1, etc. But I'd be lying if I said you'd be happy with them on your setup because I don't know how they'd work out. If you could talk to someone who "knows" suspension that would be your best bet to get their opinion.

As far as more power goes, stick a bottle on it lol

[FlyinRyan]

Most people go with a rancho, qa1, etc. But I'd be lying if I said you'd be happy with them on your setup because I don't know how they'd work out. If you could talk to someone who "knows" suspension that would be your best bet to get their opinion.

As far as more power goes, stick a bottle on it lol

Ben the way I see it I don't have enough muscle to really make the most of a hardcore shock (i.e. it is overkill for my app), so after thinking about it I will probably look into the QA1's or Ranchos.

I originally was going to go with a custom/NCTS-based remote mount, but I'm likely going to stick to a mild NA setup on this one, as I'm likely getting either a GTO, Silverado, or a Cobra this fall.

[sldhemi]

Ben the way I see it I don't have enough muscle to really make the most of a hardcore shock (i.e. it is overkill for my app), so after thinking about it I will probably look into the QA1's or Ranchos.

I originally was going to go with a custom/NCTS-based remote mount, but I'm likely going to stick to a mild NA setup on this one, as I'm likely getting either a GTO, Silverado, or a Cobra this fall.

Well the reason I say talk to someone about the suspension is that you can probably get a shock will work good both offroad and at the track.

As for getting another car, you'll stop modding the jeep as soon as that happens lol. Put some good shocks on it and call it quits and buy a car. Minimal money with a good track setup and you'll easily be in the 10s.

Of course this is all just my opinion.

[FlyinRyan]

Well the reason I say talk to someone about the suspension is that you can probably get a shock will work good both offroad and at the track.

As for getting another car, you'll stop modding the jeep as soon as that happens lol. Put some good shocks on it and call it quits and buy a car. Minimal money with a good track setup and you'll easily be in the 10s.

Of course this is all just my opinion.


Oh yeah I know this lol. manifold, shocks, wheels/tires and a converter and I'm done. the car will be a weekend driver, the Jeep will be used as a DD until I can't rely on it anymore. Just trying to make it a little less boring to drive :Tup:

[sldhemi]

Yea I know what you mean... I've got an XJ for a DD and it's just as fun if not more than my truck with less than $1000 in mods. Superchips, 100 shot, and soon to be budget boost on 30s.