|
Sales/Tech: (435) 654-1149 |
|
|
 |
|
Sales/Tech: (435) 654-1149 |
|
|
|
The caption in the article says it all.... "How to Build a Kick-Ass Samurai".
This was the first time in almost a decade a major magazine had a dedicated Samurai project build.
For their new vehicle, they chose the very best leaf spring suspension on the market, the Rocky Road JPEater kit with Old Man Emu springs for their project vehicle (along with many other Rocky Road goodies) where they used Toyota axles. They were nto given this kit, they purchased it for a true unbiased install and opinion.
Click on the picture to the right for a quick look at the cover page to the article.
The one single kit they chose above all others on the planet was the Rocky Road system.
This is because these guys know what works, see what works on the trail, and understand the solid engineering in our Wrangler conversion system. Sure, there are a couple other "MISSING LINK" style Wrangler conversion systems on the market... those kits are known for Dangerous handling and unpredictable highway driving. The YJ Missing Link won't install as easily either. Do NOT install a dangerous suspension on your vehicle, avoid the YJ Missing Link systems!
Read on for more details and to pick up your own safe, reliable, enjoyable, JPEAter system for your Samurai.
Going BIG and going FLEXY are two things we love to do around here at Rocky Road. One of the best riding and flexiest ways to get there is by swapping out to a completely new suspension. If you've had thoughts of giving your rig a complete revamp with new springs and all, the Wrangler spring swap kit might be just the thing for you.
Fred Swanson's Wrangler sprung Zuk flexing it up on a 23* ramp.
Why Wrangler springs on a Samurai?
Because the longer and softer the spring, the more flex and better ride you get. In 1995, Rocky Road (then Summit Off-road), designed and installed the first-ever Samuray YJ
spring conversion system for the Samurai. At that time it was a weldon only setup. Due to the popular demand of the YJ springs, and in the spirit of our original ground-breaking creation, we have now designed the ultimate bolton Wrangler spring conversion system.
If you're looking for some excellent bolt-on articulation for your vehicle, this cannot be beat. YJ springs are substantially longer than Samurai springs which provide for a ton more suspension flex than standard length springs. With the JP-Eater® kit, your rear springs are about 6" longer than stock; your new front springs are close to 9" longer than stock!!! The spring rate of YJ springs is also surprisingly plush which means you get a super comfortable ride in SPOA configuration. Our test vehicle pulled a 30" front articulation mark off our RTI ramp, and the rear goes even higher. Unheard of for a leaf spring suspension on such a short wheelbase vehicle!
The JP-Eater® kit works in spring under configuration if you only want a couple inches of lift, but the big flex of a YJ spring system. Or you can combine this kit with our SPOA lift kit and you're sitting easy on top of a set of 33" tires with stock YJ springs. Wrangler springs like the Old Man Emus, and you're sitting easy on top of 35-36" tires. Stock Wrangler springs are
also usually a dime a dozen at shops that do lift installations or on Ebay; a great place to pick them up super cheap. Wrangler owners discard their stock springs without thought, a treasure for us Samurai owners!
John D shows how great the system can look on his 1986 LWB (Long Wheelbase) Samurai. What you can't see is the Camaro 2.8ltr MPFI coupled to the 700R4 which is stuffed under the hood. Click on the picture for a peek at that custom setup.
Wrangler springs are 2.5" wide (stock Samurai is 2" wide) which makes them more resistant to spring wrap. The kit comes with spring hanger mounts for the fixed end of the springs. These special spring mounts reposition the end of the spring to make up for the extreme length of the YJ springs. The kit also comes with shackles which adapt the shackle end of your suspension to fit the wider YJ springs. Spring plates and new Ubolts are also included and necessary due to the extra width of the Jeep springs.
Our system is by far the most stable on the market since it doesn't do any 'Missing Link' shackle setups, which are unstable when combined with the Jeep springs. Front and rear kits are also available separately.
This is the finest Wrangler Spring Conversion for the Samurai front on the market and is not like anything else being offered for the Samurai. The JP-Eater kit is the final step in the evolutionary process for YJ spring swap systems.
In the past we have carried Wrangler conversion kits with all sorts of hocus pocus shackle reverse and Missing Links, we stopped carrying them because of safety issues. While the perception might be for greater flex with these systems, the fact is that any articulation gains with those shacklesare next to nothing since the YJ springs flex so incredibly well. But the trade-off in stability for highway driving is huge. We created the whole Missing Link phenomenon in 1995 before any other shop had seen anything of the sort. With more years of experience on the dual shackle system than any other offroad company on the planet, we determined that using Missing Links with the softness, length, and flex of the Wrangler springs was dangerous on the highway or even on the trail at speeds over 30mph. Not a risk we would put our family in, or yours. As a result, we do not recommend nor sell Missing Links or shackle reversals with Wrangler springs. For the safety of our customers, we have eliminated these systems for a true high articulation system, safe, and without the danger. Your life is not worth an extra faction of an inch of flex from a Missing Link shackle, avoid them with the Wrangler springs at all cost.
|
The Deluxe JP-Eater® Kit includes the following items and features:
|
Click on picture for larger view.
| ||||||
This kit was engineered by actual 4wheeling fanatics with clearance, approach angles, and strength firmly in mind. These aren't just brackets that remount your old springs, or move the rear springs up front. Think about it, going from a stock 37" spring, to a full 46" long Wrangler Spring on your Samurai, and not losing your approach angle. Our kit also extends your wheelbase without going overboard.
For the ULTIMATE in extreme suspensions, we have introduced the 4WD&SU (4WD & Sport Utility Magazine) kit which includes OME springs and the Old Man Emu poly bushing kits just as the magazine's project vehicle.
The OME springs provide an additional 3" of lift over the standard JPEater setup. This kit is not for everyone, but is a great system for those who want to GO LARGE! Be advised, if the OME system is used in SPOA form, you should plan on custom CV driveshafts. This much lift will be too tall for standard Ujoint driveshafts.
JUST TO BE CLEAR AGAIN.... Missing Link shackles used with YJ springs are DANGEROUS!
We will not sell or manufacture those kits. We don't want our customers getting into accidents on the highway. It is 100% about your safety!
If you care about your safety, or anyone else in your vehicle, please avoid Missing Link suspension systems on the Wrangler spring conversion!
| JPEater Wrangler kits | Select kit/options | Click to add to cart |
Deluxe SPOA and JP-Eater® combo system.
In a nutshell, this system includes everything in our JPEater kit and our SPOA kit combined for a full integrated system.
**Deluxe combo system includes: Complete front and rear JP-Eater® conversion system as listed and explained above, Ubolts, Deluxe EZ-Weld wraparound spring pads, front & rear driveshaft extensions, 3 extended length brake lines, Front & Rear upper long travel shock mounts, Front & rear lower long travel shock mounts, Long-Travel shocks, Over-The-Top (stage 1) steering system.
***4WDSU Extreme kit contains all of the above, along with Wrangler OME springs and poly bushings. Perfect for 35-36" tires! Be advised, this kit will require custom CV driveshafts. It is too tall for standard ujoint driveshafts. This kit will fit tires approx 36" in size.
| SPOA / JPEater Combination systems | Select kit/options | Click to cart |
Click on pics for larger view.
 Front elevated view of YJ kit, SPOA, & 32" tires on 8" wheels with 2.5" backspacing. |
 Front view shows OTT steer kit, RRO Front Crawler bumper. |
 Front/side view. Easily fits 32" tires with plenty of room for 33's. |
Up and down.... Tom Gorman's Samurai flexing it up on our 30* ramp. 33" of flex with fully inflated 33" tires ain't bad at all!!! Plus, notice the ARB Bull Bar works with our JPEater kit. This is THE ONLY wrangler system on the planet that allows any and all aftermarket bumpers to be run as a result of our special frame/bumper extension system!
Click on the pics for a KING SIZE view!
888-801-7271
