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Bellcrank lowering for lifted ECJs with Ross

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by lynn, Apr 7, 2006.

  1. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Take a look at these pics of the design Tony came up with to lower the bellcrank assembly. You all know how exaggerated the angles become when you put a 3" or more lift on a rig with the Ross steering. Tony had a block made that lowered the assembly by the same amount as the lift, thus essentially keeping the stock angles. Here are some pics of his set up:
    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Tony told me that this kept the steering response, etc, just like stock.
    I thought it was a great alternative for those who want a lift but don't want to convert to Saginaw.

    Per our discussion on Wednesday nite... since Tony is going with the V6 and new drive train, he's going to do the Saginaw swap while it's all apart... since there is some play in the Ross box.

    Hopefully Tony will chime in here with more info... :D
    Cool set up Tony!!
     
    lynn, Apr 7, 2006
    #1
  2. grannyscj

    grannyscj Headed to the Yukon

    Thats a great idea. My Ross is nice and tight so I may try this when I put on the lift. Did you change the angle of the shaft any?:v6:
     
    grannyscj, Apr 7, 2006
    #2
  3. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Interesting. Is there any movement of the mount while he is steering?
     
    mb82, Apr 7, 2006
    #3
  4. Missouri 71

    Missouri 71 Member

    Yep, that is a neat idea!

    I JUST lifted my '71 and it's steering will need some attention....see the pic. EEK! :)
    I did a "driveway alignment" just to get the tires pointing straight again so I could putt around the neighborhood.
    I was toying with making a one-piece tie-rod with a cross rod that'll attach to the bell crank....Saginaw-like...but your idea has got me thinking otherwise.
    I have an excellent Ross V6 box so no need to do a Saginaw swap yet.

    Thanks for the pics and description!!
     
    Missouri 71, Apr 7, 2006
    #4
  5. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Very neat. I would worry some about the added strain on the bellcrank mounting at the crossmember. When you extend the mounting you create a lever arm that tries to twist the new bracket off of the frame. It may not be a problem, since the back of the belcrank mounting is fairly wide. You could easily make a brace from the bellcrank mounting bolts to the frame rail(s) - similar purpose to the brace that's added to Saginaw boxes on later CJs.
     
    timgr, Apr 7, 2006
    #5
  6. aklimko

    aklimko New Member

    No. Everything is set up stock with the exception of the new mount. and 3 grade 8 bolts



    I never experienced or saw any movement in the mount. I have had the mount on for about 3 years.
     
    aklimko, Apr 7, 2006
    #6
  7. schris892

    schris892 New Member

    where was the mount made, I would be very interested in getting one if it is possible.

    thanks,
    chris
     
    schris892, Apr 7, 2006
    #7
  8. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Ditto, plus now there is a slight amount of error as your drag link is not in line with the arm on the ross box anymore.
    Now I don't mean to flame anybody here but if anybody here is gonna take the time to grind the rivets off the frame and make the spacer and bolt it on, there is no such thing as a good Ross box compared to an average saginaw box, they are night and day. You would have spent your time better to do the saginaw to start with. I drove my jeep for 12 years with a Ross box that was in good shape (for a ross box) but it was no comparison to a junkyard saginaw box that was 20 years old. I like the ingenuity, just not something I would do.
     
    Mcruff, Apr 7, 2006
    #8