jeep/cummins 4bt- what springs r u running?

[chwhit]

Hey guys, I'm not quite "there" yet, but plan on putting a 4bt in my 97 TJ. I'm going to sort of make my own AEV Brute conversion by cutting the frame/body in half, extending the frame at least thirty inches and can't decide whether or not to try and add to the body and make it look like a scrambler, or just fab up a flat bed for it. Here's my question, I'm wondering what springs (front) to use to keep a 4" to 5" lift, I'm not changing upper spring buckets or anything, just wondering how to keep that amount of lift with the added weight of the 4b. I'm also running a 1 ton drive train. The rear will probably end up being switched over to leaf springs but I'm not sure, if I keep it coil sprung I'm definitely making my own long arms. If anybody has done a conversion on a lifted TJ please help me out, thanks.

 

[stover]

Go over to 4btswaps.com they have some neat projects going on right now. I am just finishing (actually friend is doing it) a 82 Chevy 4x4 that had a bad 6. 2 in it and am putting a 4bt in it with an nv4500 and gearvendors overdrive. Can't wait for it to be finished. Oo. Good luck on the project.

 

[chwhit]

Yea, that sounds sweet! I didn't even know about the website, I've been searching like crazy, maybe not crazy enough. Thanks a lot buddy, and good luck on your buddies project as well.

 

[Steve Graham]

Some of the Scout people use Rancho 44044 spring on their rigs for SOA. The springs are from Jeep full size wagons and J10-J20. The spring rate is about 300 lb-in and holds the weight of the IH just fine. The IH V8s weigh in sightly less than a 4BT.

 

[chwhit]

Yea here lately I've been thinking of just converting my coil springs all the way around to a leaf spring, I know some of you will call me crazy for it, but I just want a good trail rig and I figure if I go with the lightest maybe 2" springs I can find, mounted over the axle maybe with some revolving shackles I'd be getting a ton of flex out of it. Another plus out of this is I wouldn't have to figure all of the geometry for the four link, because if I'm gonna do it, it'll be triangulated to get rid of at least the rear track bar. Oh well, I guess I cross all of these roads when I get there.

 

[my96z]

do you have any pictures of your conversion?? I am getting ready to also do a 4BT in to a 97 wrangler. .

 

[chwhit]

no I'm still saving up some cash on the side to buy everything for it, it shouldn't be long though. I am still debating on a few things here and there like what transfer case and transmission, also if I want to cut the jeep in half and make it a truck, I think it's gonna be a big project , can't wait to start but will definitely post pics, kind of a step by step deal.