[dolanmx305]

ok so Im new to the whole jeep thing but not so new to trucks...

I just picked up my first jeep, its a 97 wrangler se 4cyl 113,000 miles. I got my chevy v8 sittin in the shop wanting in. Attached is the tranny and i have the transfer case out of a 89 blazer 4wd. Heres what I know I want; to swap in the v8, tranny and t case, i have the matching axles and i have a d44 and ford 9", one set I plan on putting in. I also plan on putting on a 6 or 8 inch lift with corresponding 35's or 37's. I was looking at starting out with buying a tube frame. Should I invest in getting a tube frame tho??? Also im wondering what the diff is in long arm and short arm lifts, I hear that rubicon express makes an awesome lift and skyjacker rock readys are dece too. I plan on usin it for muddin mostly not too much into the rock climbin so just need some info on this...sorry its long but any help is greatly appreciated, this cash is burnin a hole in my pocket!!!!!!!!

 

[jeeperman]

What is wrong with the frame in the Jeep that you bought? If there isn't anything, I would stay with that unless you are going to have a full tube chasis built.

The difference between the long arms and short arms is obviously arm length, but what that means in terms of ride and flex... The longer arms are more parallel to the ground and therefore transfer the energy of a bump more vertically (or rather allow the springs to) as they swing in a larger arc, therefore making it closer to vertical as opposed to the short arms which become more vertical themselves as you lift your Jeep (or anything for that matter), transferring more of the force of a bump into the frame of the Jeep, giving you a more jarring ride. This also translates to more travel for the axles in off-road situations. Hope this at least gave you a start...

 

[jeepmutt]

J-man, I think the train your thought was on jumped track... don't you mean a long arm will give you more travel/articulation off-road?

 

[JeepCrawler98]

Potentially; yes - realistically, not without heavy mods. The suspension travel limit on TJs is not the length of the arms, it's the length of the shocks. However; it will keep the suspension geometry in better order throughout that range, and ultimately give a smoother ride.

 

[jeeperman]

Potentially; yes - realistically, not without heavy mods. The suspension travel limit on TJs is not the length of the arms, it's the length of the shocks. However; it will keep the suspension geometry in better order throughout that range, and ultimately give a smoother ride.

^^^^^^What he said!