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Moving the rear end back

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Offline jeff1997

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Moving the rear end back
« on: March 02, 2009, 05:35:30 PM »
Has anyone ever done this. I want to move the rearend of my 97 4dr. back at least 2", more like 3". What all would need to be changed? Here's what I think but if someone has done it and has some insight it would be helpful.

1) longer driveshaft, aka spacer
2) longer trailing arms, I'd fab some out of DOM tube.
3) move the upper Y-link back
4) move the upper spring pockets back
5) move the upper shock mounts
6) brake lines lenghthened
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
Custom strut spacers
31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE

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Offline sidekicksrock

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2009, 06:03:27 PM »
I think that would do it, However instead of moving the upper Y back I think I would leave the mounts where they are and fab a longer Y. Don't forget to do the Hagen over-rotation while you have it apart.

I am not sure about the drive shaft either, you may need to find a longer one at the pick and pull or have one fabbed. I wonder if the GV/XL7 shaft is longer than the 4 dr?
Student of Now Master of Then

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Offline Lindenmooch

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2009, 06:06:15 PM »
Hmm...this is interesting.   Maybe instead of buying a ford pickup truck and equipping it with long arm suspension...I can lengthen the tracker and gain some stability for some fast wheeling over rough terrain.  No?

Sounds like a cool, radical idea....what makes you want to do this anyway??

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Offline derekj

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2009, 07:28:38 PM »
Would the gas tank need to be moved back? I can't remember how much room is between thaxle and tank ???

Derek
91 Sidekick jx
2" BDS supension lift
2" BDS body lift
1" Coil spacers
32" TSL's and some other stuff I did And now with a Lockrite!  www.cardomain.com/memberpage/783382

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Offline Jeremiah

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2009, 08:46:03 PM »
Do you have access to a welder? If so, why not cut, lengthen / sleeve the existing links? It's an idea I'm kicking around for a 2-door anyway.
'96 4 door kick: 29" Pep-Boys M/T, 1.5" OME
'83 SJ410: 31" Toyo M/T, SPOA, 1.3L
'08 Yamaha FZ6

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Offline Zukipilot

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2009, 06:10:29 AM »
If you move it back more than an inch or so, you will start getting your axle links into the gas tank and your tires into the tub of your tracker. You will definitely need to clearance the rear of the wheel wells (in between the tail light and tire) and raise (probably relocate) the gas tank. 

HTH,
Zig
Zukipilot
'92 Liberty Overland Sidekick

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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2009, 06:21:19 AM »
I don't thin k you have three inches between the back of wheel well and fuel tank cover.
93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.

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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2009, 04:35:13 PM »
My gas tank is already moved up 3" and the rear fender wells are all but gone. Yes I have access to any shop tool needed and some other help if needed. My reason for doing this is with the lift and steel bumpers on the rear the tire sits close to the front of the rear fender well. It just looks dumb. If I put more lift on it, it will get worse. Just kicking the idea around. Thanks for the input. I will probably need a longer drive shaft not just a spacer. I could lengthen the existing one and balance it but the spacer would be easier.

See what I mean about the rear fender well.
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
Custom strut spacers
31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE

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Offline fuzzy1

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2009, 05:02:20 PM »
I dunno, it doesn't look out of place to me. Mostly perception thing from the angle of the pic + the wheelwell trimming/custom bumper. To me it looks like your rear trackwidth is smaller than in front. Maybe a set of wheelspacers to even 'em up would do it. Or is that just perception from pic angle too?
Your rig looks good overall though. Just my .02.

Fuzz
'97 Sidekick Sport 1" spacer lift 225/75R16 Cooper AT's. Pioneer Sound, 14" Grant Steering Wheel.Otherwise mostly stock
'96 Tracker 1.6l 16v 3spd Auto 4x4 85k - 1 1/2" OME Lift BFG 235/75 AT's on Ion Alloy 15x7's - Pioneer Sound - Custom Installed Hydraulic Drivers Seat (Sold)

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Offline Jeremiah

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #9 on: March 03, 2009, 06:34:47 PM »
Just keep in mind, the tire moves in an arch (towards the rear) of the vehicle as the suspension is compressed. Don't move it so far that it will rub on the rear fender well when compressed.
'96 4 door kick: 29" Pep-Boys M/T, 1.5" OME
'83 SJ410: 31" Toyo M/T, SPOA, 1.3L
'08 Yamaha FZ6

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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #10 on: March 03, 2009, 08:33:29 PM »
Just keep in mind, the tire moves in an arch (towards the rear) of the vehicle as the suspension is compressed. Don't move it so far that it will rub on the rear fender well when compressed.
Good call  ;). And I do have wheel spacers already, 1.5". The track is even but the whole tightness at the front of the fender drives me nuts. It was compounded when I put the rear bumper on.
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
Custom strut spacers
31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE

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Offline Lindenmooch

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2009, 11:04:45 PM »
Looks like just an inch would be enough to make you happy...and it can clearly be done.  Just a matter of it being worth all the work for just an inch.  Your call. 

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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2009, 08:03:43 AM »
Looks like just an inch would be enough to make you happy...and it can clearly be done.  Just a matter of it being worth all the work for just an inch.  Your call. 
That is what I'm thinking now. An inch would make it look better, but the work may not be enough to justify it.
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
Custom strut spacers
31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE

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Offline mrhawk

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2009, 08:54:27 AM »

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Offline jeff1997

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Re: Moving the rear end back
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2009, 10:35:45 AM »
Thanks for the link. Some good ideas.  ;)
1997 4dr. Sidekick Sport 1.8L DOHC
2" coil spacers- I make and sell 1.5" and 2" on e-bay.  Look under seller: hoepkers
3" Masterkit1 body lift
Custom strut spacers
31/11.50/16 Super Swamper LTB's w/1.5" wheel spacers Steel bumpers Custom cold air intake 2" exhaust w/cherry bomb 98 Expedition, 2" lift, 35's, Magnaflow exhaust - BIG BLUE