Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: ferretjuggler on April 28, 2014, 06:39:12 PM

Title: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 28, 2014, 06:39:12 PM
IIRC the late model J series Wagoneers  (ie Grand Wagoneer) had a Panhard Rod added to the front axle that was never fitted to the Cherokees etc.
So it follows that this must have been added to improve on road handling on the luxury upmarket Grand Waggy, and anyone competent could convert an earlier J series if they had a mind to.

But what if you got a suspension lift?
I got two different lift kits to fit to mine.
One gives about 4" lift at the front and the other 6"
Can I still run a Panhard Rod or will it become mission impossible?
Expensive imported drop forged alloy steel bits from the USA?
Or maybe codged up with recycled  XJ/YJ bits?
Anybody done this or thinking about it?
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: j33pky on April 28, 2014, 07:04:48 PM
?!!!!!!!?!!!
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: Dave69 on April 28, 2014, 07:08:54 PM
the panhard rod centralises the axle to the body?????


XJs have these and require redrilling the mount or swapping for an adjustable type
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: JamesH on April 28, 2014, 07:16:32 PM
I'm sure you could use some XJ parts off a scrapper (or from someone who keeps all the useless shit they take off everytime they do a mod, even though they'll never use stock parts again  :icon_redface:)

It would need some welding to fix an axle bracket and you'd probably be best to weld the frame bracket on too.

Can understand the idea but seems like a tweak to do when the vehicle is already finished.
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: UKJeeper on April 28, 2014, 07:32:24 PM
A quick search on IFSJA would seem to suggest most of their track bars, aka panhard rods are lying around in the back of various garages...
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: Dave The Sparky on April 28, 2014, 08:51:57 PM
According to the parts manual fitted to Wagoneers and Grand Wagoneers only, is it really worth the hassle of installing one to a leaf sprung vehicle?

Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 28, 2014, 09:04:04 PM
A quick search on IFSJA would seem to suggest most of their track bars, aka panhard rods are lying around in the back of various garages...

That is true.
But they seem to have a culture where they like to build the "death wobble" into a vehicle and then boast about how bad it is  :icon_eek:

The thing to do seems to be fixing a small digital camera to your front axle and then putting it on video take.
Then after you have death wobbled all over the road,  you can upload the results on YouTube.
I'd rather stay in control of the vehicle thanks :098:
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 28, 2014, 09:11:16 PM
According to the parts manual fitted to Wagoneers and Grand Wagoneers only, is it really worth the hassle of installing one to a leaf sprung vehicle?

Probably not worth it on a vehicle with a standard suspension
My Cherokee handled quite well on 31" tyres and a 2"lift on the rear only.
Go to 6" lift springs and 35" tyres and I think lateral movement of the axles is going to start.
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: JamesH on April 28, 2014, 09:15:52 PM
4-link and coilovers  :icon_twisted:   :098:
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 28, 2014, 09:28:25 PM
4-link and coilovers  :icon_twisted:   :098:

Wagoneer/Cherokee body mounted on a Land Rover 110 chassis complete with the engine and running gear.  :die:
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: dieselj20 on April 28, 2014, 10:14:19 PM
just put more pre load on the ball joints j truck is good for the ton no prob
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: JamesH on April 29, 2014, 07:57:35 AM
I was thinking of the below, no lardy tech

Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: UKJeeper on April 29, 2014, 08:00:18 AM

That is true.
But they seem to have a culture where they like to build the "death wobble" into a vehicle and then boast about how bad it is  :icon_eek:

The thing to do seems to be fixing a small digital camera to your front axle and then putting it on video take.
Then after you have death wobbled all over the road,  you can upload the results on YouTube.
I'd rather stay in control of the vehicle thanks :098:

OK then...
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: Bulldog67 on April 29, 2014, 11:24:10 AM
No death wobble on mine runnin 35" muds, admittedly only had it up to 80 mph as im runnin it in but flawless aup to that speed
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 29, 2014, 07:36:52 PM
Ahh!
But didn't you go for a SOA conversion on the front axle?
The actual depth  (vertically) of the springs is the same as a standard truck.
When you fit lift springs with a 6" lift you increase that height by 6" and that's where the risk of axle movement starts.
Does that make any sense at all :017:
Probably not.
Dunno how to explain it any better :017:
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: Bulldog67 on April 29, 2014, 07:47:48 PM
it does make sense, even to me :icon_eek:

make sure you sought it all out as I have a 6" lift kit waiting for my stepside j10 when it turns up
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 29, 2014, 07:58:22 PM
Apparently it only tends to occur at fairly low speeds.
Usually goes away between 30-40 mph.
After that I think the rotating inertia of those big tyres seems to smooth things out like a gyroscope.
Seen by certain types as a test of manliness or something :icon_eek:
If you can drive through your death wobble without batting an eyelid then you are some real mean MoFo :wsmile:
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: Bulldog67 on April 29, 2014, 08:21:48 PM
there are a hell of a lot of threads on ifsja along the lines of 'what mod did you do and wish you hadnt' with a lot of replies saying 'doing a 6" spring lift before doing the SOA"
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 29, 2014, 08:53:56 PM
Yes I too am in possession of a set of 6" lift front springs (was planning my own set up at the rear)
Apparently not only is death wobble possible,  but the ride quality is like a series Land Rover  :die:
Maybe I should go SOA myself.
Bits of steel,  welding rods and U bolts are all cheap enough.
Then I can keep the "soft ride" springs.
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: Bulldog67 on April 29, 2014, 09:05:46 PM
I can steer with one finger at 80 mph mate, SOA has been a revelation (albeit an expensive one for the likes of me) - come to CF and ya can have a look
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: bigjeepzj on April 29, 2014, 09:08:49 PM
Yes I too am in possession of a set of 6" lift front springs (was planning my own set up at the rear)
Apparently not only is death wobble possible,  but the ride quality is like a series Land Rover  :die:
Maybe I should go SOA myself.
Bits of steel,  welding rods and U bolts are all cheap enough.
Then I can keep the "soft ride" springs.
then sort out the steering has you will need a top knuckle set up
see BD SOA set up thread 
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: Bulldog67 on April 29, 2014, 09:10:48 PM
http://www.birtydastards.com/frm/index.php?topic=18270.0
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 29, 2014, 09:22:27 PM
Yes I too am in possession of a set of 6" lift front springs (was planning my own set up at the rear)
Apparently not only is death wobble possible,  but the ride quality is like a series Land Rover  :die:
Maybe I should go SOA myself.
Bits of steel,  welding rods and U bolts are all cheap enough.
Then I can keep the "soft ride" springs.
then sort out the steering has you will need a top knuckle set up
see BD SOA set up thread
Just to be awkward I refuse to fit a top knuckle conversion.
Fucks up your Ackerman angle for a start.
Problem is with 15"  rims the top arms have to angle in.
Stendad linkage can be used with a little ingenuity.
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: Bulldog67 on April 30, 2014, 07:07:02 PM
*
Title: Re: Panhard Rod on a J Series?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 30, 2014, 07:38:31 PM
I was thinking of the below, no lardy tech

Ooooohh :icon_eek:
Now that does look like a properly engineered conversion  :drool:
I think I would have gone for the 2 door body with special arches myself,  but the builder obviously knew exactly what he wanted.
Built on a modified Waggy chassis or a dedicated custom jobby?
I whish I could afford to do it TBH.
You can trim costs so far by doing the fabrication work yourself,  but you reach a point where only $$$$$$$$$ will achieve the desired results