Metalcloak Thread
#1351
JK Junkie
So, just how much can you droop an axle on the 2012+ models before the driveshaft hits? I have never seen that mentioned. I mean even replacing the driveshaft will only give you mb 1.5" of extra droop. Is anyone actually doing any real long travel building on the newer models or are they all just bolting on stuff?
#1352
Bingo, I think for the average jeeper Limiting straps are just another cool looking part. But if your running 8- 10 rated trails all the time , then maybe a good investment.
#1353
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Louisiana
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So, just how much can you droop an axle on the 2012+ models before the driveshaft hits? I have never seen that mentioned. I mean even replacing the driveshaft will only give you mb 1.5" of extra droop. Is anyone actually doing any real long travel building on the newer models or are they all just bolting on stuff?
The other factor is that the drivetrain in the 2013+ is angled up several degrees, I think 3-6 or something like that, from the previous models, so you also are putting a lot of angle on the joints just driving down the road. I don't think that is that big if a deal unless you are going over a solid 4+ Inches of lift.
I did a driveshaft on my '13 without touching the exhaust and I had a 4" lift and it didn't hit drooped with 10"+ travel shocks.
On my '14 I have a AFE Y pipe and a 2.5" lift and there is no possible way it could hit with the Y pipe.
#1354
JK Jedi
With a 1310 shaft, you can run around 26"-27" (extended length of shock, using stock mounts). The easiest and best solution after that is to push the exhaust back to the crossmember. Exhaust spacers are junk. There are two good locations on each side of the exhaust to cut and extend without pushing the exhaust crossover below the crossmember. After doing that, there should be zero clearance issues (unless the suspension installed would also contact the crossmember, which I believe is the same location as pre 2012?).
So in reality you can run about a 10" travel shock with an aftermarket shaft. I guess it is better then nothing.
#1355
JK Junkie
Correct. The 11" ARBs that come with the MetalCloak lift will still contact the exhaust with a 1310 shaft. That said, it is fairly unlikely someone would fully droop the whole axle offroad, though not impossible. For a few dollars and 30 minutes of time, it's sort of a no brainier to just shift the crossover back (and despite how many times I have said it, I don't think anyone has listened....).
#1356
JK Jedi
The factory driveshaft at the boot is right around 3" in diameter. Most after market shafts use 2" dom tubing so the diameter is 1" smaller and the gain in clearance is .5"
The front driveshaft is 36"+- and the exhaust contact point is around 12" forward of the transfer case so a .5" gain in clearance in the driveshaft gives you 1.5" more droop at the axle.
#1357
JK Junkie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2CQD68LHSg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2CQD68LHSg
According to this video, just 2.25" longer shocks than stock will make contact. But pushing the exhaust back a little changed that to over 5".
#1358
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Upstate NY
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Correct. The 11" ARBs that come with the MetalCloak lift will still contact the exhaust with a 1310 shaft. That said, it is fairly unlikely someone would fully droop the whole axle offroad, though not impossible. For a few dollars and 30 minutes of time, it's sort of a no brainier to just shift the crossover back (and despite how many times I have said it, I don't think anyone has listened....).
This is hard to picture without my lift installed yet (and without crawling under my Jeep right now to look). Did you do this to your Jeep? If so, do you have any pics of what you did? I am very interested to get a better understanding of this.
#1359
JK Junkie
YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2CQD68LHSg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2CQD68LHSg According to this video, just 2.25" longer shocks than stock will make contact. But pushing the exhaust back a little changed that to over 5".
#1360
JK Enthusiast
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2CQD68LHSg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2CQD68LHSg
According to this video, just 2.25" longer shocks than stock will make contact. But pushing the exhaust back a little changed that to over 5".
I don't really like any of the other options. Not a fan of the exhaust spacer. Was going to do the limiting strap in the center on the differential but that limits your articulation a little and by the time you get everything welded up and whatnot, it's close to $150. New driveshaft is great but $400+ and from what we discussed yesterday, might still have the issue depending on your setup. So, I would like to try this.
This is hard to picture without my lift installed yet (and without crawling under my Jeep right now to look). Did you do this to your Jeep? If so, do you have any pics of what you did? I am very interested to get a better understanding of this.
This is hard to picture without my lift installed yet (and without crawling under my Jeep right now to look). Did you do this to your Jeep? If so, do you have any pics of what you did? I am very interested to get a better understanding of this.