Suspension and Steering Project
My project functions on a perpetual short budget (I give my wife my check and
take an allowance).
So when I started looking at the suspension, I wasn't going to be in the market
for a Rubicon Express lift in this iteration. After asking around I
decided that I would go with the Rough Country 2.5" lift with a new steering
stabilizer and heavy duty shackles. I did upgrade to nitro shocks and I
replaced the kit bushings with Daystar greaseable bushings. Heckethorn
Industries that owns the brand is located in Dyersburg, TN so I drove up there
with my oldest "seed" and bought it from them.
In addition to the suspension,
I purchased new swaybar bushings, swaybar disconnects and a new tie-rod/drag
link kit. Rather than go budget with the steering, I purchased the heavy
duty chrome-moly kit from Currie Enterprises. I figured going cheap on
the steering wouldn't be too bright.
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Here is one of the old front shackles and springs. |
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A wider shot of the old suspension at the rear. |
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The old swaybar link and steering linkage. |
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A closer shot of the old swaybar link. The condition of the springs is evident too. |
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The older front-end suspension and steering components on the driver side. |
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That steering linkage looks might strong!!! (NOT) |
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Post installation of the passenger side front-end |
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The springs and shocks at least look nicer. |
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The shackles were very impressive compared to the olds ones that came off. |
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A wide shot of the rear after installation. Note: the AMC20 is not leaking it's oil that has run underneath from various leaks over the years. They always leak a little. |
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A good shot of the front-end with the new stabilizer and drag-ling |
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More steering stabilizer and drag link. |
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