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Jeep
4x4
Performance Handbook
by Jim Allen
The world of high-performance Jeeping can be absolutely
bewildering. Every time you turn around, another company is touting
its product as the end-all and be-all to modifying your rig.
In the Jeep 4X4 Performance Handbook,
author Jim Allen debunks the myths and leads you directly to the best
products. He explains which bolt-on parts, swaps, and modifications
will give you the most bang for the buck for your CJ or Wrangler (TJ or
YJ) as well as Cherokees and Grand Cherokees.
The book covers the Jeep from bumper to bumper, focusing
on modifications for off-road driving but including engine and drivetrain
hopups suitable for improved street performance and towing. Tires
and wheels, suspension systems, axles, transfer cases, transmissions,
winches, recovery gear, brakes, electrical systems, and more are included,
as well as an extensive listing of parts suppliers and retailers.
If you want to build the ultimate Jeep without going
bankrupt or losing your mind, the Jeep 4x4 Performance
Handbook is for you.
About the author:
Jim Allen is the author of many books on Jeep or
four-wheel drive topics and also some 1,500 magazine articles on four-wheeling
and automotive topics in general. An avid four-wheeler since leaving the
U.S. Army in 1975, Allen spent nearly 20 years as a professional and
certified mechanic before going full-time into writing. He also spent
three years as an off-highway driving instructor for Land Rover North
America. Tracing the origins of four-wheel drive is one of his
particular interests, both personally and professionally.
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Chapter 1
GETTING STARTED
The Whole Jeep
What do you need? · The Compromise · Extreme Rigs ·
The Dual-Purpose Machine · Bang for the Buck · Jeeps and the
Family · What to do first? |
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Chapter 2
TIRES AND WHEELS
Footprints in the Sand
Tires · Radial vs. Bias
Ply · Tread Design · Fenderwell clearance · Tires and Gearing ·
Speedometer Correction · Tire Tuning - Street Pressure · Tire
Tuning - The Trail · A Final Word on Tires · Tire Repairs · Tire
Chains - For More Than Just Snow · Wheels · Steel Wheels ·
One-Piece Cast Alloys · Two-Piece Alloy Wheels · Forged Aluminum
Alloy Wheels · Wheel Size and Offset · Beadlocks · Choosing the
Right Wheel · Wheel and Tire Terms and Tables ·
Tire Fitment Guide · Jeep Tire Options - 1941-1997 · Effective
Gear Ratio · Tire Load vs. Inflation · Suggested Tire Pressure |
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Chapter 3
SUSPENSION AND STEERING
Long Legs
Suspension Modification Goals · Jeep Leaf Spring
Suspensions · Understanding Leaf Spring Rate · Wide vs. Narrow
Springs · Long vs. Short Springs · Leaf Count · Camber ·
Composite Springs · Innovative Steel Springs · Shackle Position ·
Shackle Angles and Choices · Leaf Spring Tricks · Selecting
Springs · Spring and Chassis Bushings · Leaf Spring Lifts ·
Spring Over · Lift Blocks and Add-a Leaf · Longer Shackles ·
Selecting a Lift Kit · Leaf Spring Lift Complications · Other
Suspension Hardware · Jeep Coil Spring Suspensions · Coil Springs
· Coil Spring Lifts · Coil Spring Lift Complications ·
Driveshafts and Pinion Angles · Tailshaft Kits · Custom
Driveshafts · Sway Bar and Track Bar Disconnects · Body Lifts ·
Shock Absorbers · Shock Anatomy · Shock Boots · Multiple Shocks
· Long Travel · Choosing Shocks · Steering · Common Steering
Problems · Steering Linkage Mods · Steering Dampers · Caster,
Camber, and Toe-In · Power Steering · Power Steering Coolers ·
Power Steering Conversion · More Power for Your Power Steering ·
Calculating Spring Rate · Spring Dictionary · Ramp Travel Index |
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Chapter 4
AXLES, GEARS AND DRIVESHAFTS
Power to the Ground
Jeep Axles · Front Axles · Rear Axles · Ring and
Pinions · Splines and Things · Axle Shafts · Hubs · Complete
Axle Assembly Swaps · Aftermarket Axle Choices · High-Pinion
Differentials · Locker Basics · Open Differential · Limited Slip
· Automatic Lockers · On-Demand Lockers · Locker Choices · Powr-Loc
· Trac-Loc · True-Trac · Lock-Right · E-Z Locker · Detroit
Locker · ARB Air Locker · Driveshafts: The Torque Connection ·
Upgrading Yokes · Driveshafts · Driveshaft Clearances · CV joints
· Maximum Recommended Tire Sizes for Jeep Axles · Jeep Factory
Axle Roundup · Front Axle Universal Joint Guide · Availability
Ratios, Carrier vs. Gear Ration Chart · Spline Strength Chart ·
Axle Assembly Swappers Guide · Universal Joint Dimensions and
Torque Ratings · Calculating Driveshaft and Low Gear Torque · Jeep
T-Case and Differential Yoke Availability · Common Steel Groups ·
Available Aftermarket Gear Ratios |
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Chapter 5
TRANSFER CASE OVERDRIVE AND SPLITTERS
Torque splitting
T-case Basics · Crawl Ratio · Factory Transfer Cases · Dana 18 ·
Dana 20 · Dana 21 · NP-200 · Dana 300 · BW-1339 · NP-219 ·
NP-208 · NP-229 · NP-228 · NP-207 · NP-231 · NP-242 · NV-249
· Extra Low Transfer Case Gearing · NP-231, 241, 242 · Dana 300
· Dana 18 · Dana 20 · Atlas · NP-231 Tailshaft Conversion ·
Other T-case and Related Goodies · T-Case Swapping and Beefing ·
Overdrive · Splitters · Factory Jeep Transfer Case Roundup ·
Transfer Case / Trans Adapter Chart · Select Low-Range Crawl Ration
Combinations |
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Chapter 6
TRANSMISSION
Multiplying Torque
The Automatic Transmission · Torque Converter Tech ·
Stall Speed · Selecting a Converter · Sprags · Transmission Temp
Control · The OE Transmission Cooler · Deep Pans · External
Transmission Coolers · Automatic Gearing Changes · The Manual
Transmissions · Manual Trans Mods · Clutches · Clutch Disc ·
Pressure Plates · Clutch Selection Basics · The Clutch Release
Mechanism · Upgrading Clutch Linkage · Factory Jeep Transmission
Specs, 1946-1998 · Jeep Automatic Transmissions · Gearing Change
Options for Assorted Automatics · OE Jeep Clutch Specs · jeep
Transmission Ratings |
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Chapter 7
WINCHES AND RECOVERY GEAR
Inertially Challenged
Towing Points · Hand Tools · Shovels · Axes and
Saws · Picks · Max Multipurpose Tool · Straps · Jacks · Winches
· Hand Winches · Capstan Winches · PTO Drum Winches · Hydraulic
Winches · Electric Winches · Choosing a Winch · Choosing a Winch
Mounting System· Winch Accessories · Prepping your Jeep for a
winch · Common Winch Specs, 6000 Pounds and Up · How Terrain
Affects Winch Pull · No-Load Line Speed Comparison |
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Chapter 8
CHASSIS, BODY AND INTERIOR
Skin and Bones
The Jeep Chassis · Chassis Failure · Protecting the
Chassis · Unibody · Chassis Armor · Jeep Bodies · Body Defense
Strategies · Replacement Steel Bodies · Fiberglass Bodies ·
Off-Highway Body Armor · Bumpers, Body Hardware, Brush Bars, Etc.
· Interior · Soft Tops · Storage · Fuel Tanks · Fuel Cans ·
Jeep Chassis Specifications · Factory Fuel Tank Capacities |
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Chapter 9
BRAKES
Whoa Nillie!
Disc vs. Drum · Why You Need Improvements · Brake
Improvements: Linings · Organic Linings · Semimettalic · Metallic
· Composite Linings · Hard vs. Soft Linings · Riveted vs. Bonded
· Brake Improvements: Drums · Front Disc Brake Conversions · Rear
Disc Brake Conversions · Hydraulics · Hydraulics 101 · Brake
Master Cylinder · Disc Brake Calipers · Proportioning Valves ·
Brake Lines and Hoses · Brake Fluid · Brake Boosters · Brake
Drums and Rotors · Parking Brakes · Jeep OE Brakes Roundup ·
Useful Hydraulic Formulas |
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Chapter 10
ENGINES AND ENGINE SWAPS
Go-Power
Power and Torque · Building for Torque · Camshaft,
Carburetor, and EFI · The exhaust System · Forced Induction ·
Forced induction Basics · Turbochargers vs. Superchargers · Forced
Induction Requirements · Carburetors and Angles · Air Filters and
Snorkels · Air Filter Types · Filtering Efficiency · Filter
Capacity and Flow · Open vs. Closed Element Filters · Choosing an
Air Cleaner · Snorkels · Engine Waterproofing · Intake System ·
Ignition System · Fuel Injection · Dipsticks and Breathers ·
Starters and Alternators · Roundup: The Factory Jeep Engines ·
Swapping Basics · Popular Swaps: The Chevy Small-block V-8 · The
Ford Small Block · The 90 Degree GN V-6 · The Buick V-6 · AMC
V-8s · Other Swaps · Cooling System Tips · Radiator · Airflow ·
Waterpump · Oil Coolers · Emissions Regulations and You ·
Selected Torque-to-Weight ratios · Camshaft Dictionary · Figuring
Carb Capacity · Air Filter Size Formulas |
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Chapter 11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Zap Rap
The Flow of Electricity · The Battery · Starting
Batteries · Deep-Cycle Batteries · Marine Batteries · Choosing a
Battery · Dual Batteries · The Alternator · Low Speed Alternator
Power · Mounting Mega-Amp Alternators · Underhood Welders · Wires
and Cables · Battery Cables and Connections · Starters ·
Accessory Wiring Tips · Complete Rewire Tips · Lighting · Light
Constriction and Specifications · Selecting a Light · Mounting
Lights · Electrical Waterproofing · How Many Amps · Typical Amp
Draw for Selected Items, in Amps · Electrical Systems - Definitions
and Formulas · Calculating Alternator Speed · 12-Volt Wire
Selection Guide |
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Chapter 12
SAFETY ITEMS
Stayin' Alive
Fire Extinguisher · Roll Bars · Mounting Systems ·
Materials and Construction · Mounting · Seat Belts · First Aid ·
Cargo Tie Downs · Radios and Cell Phones · CB Radio Choices ·
Antennas · External Speakers · A First Aide Kit |
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Appendix 1: Sources
Appendix 2: Bibliography
Index |
Sorry, Closed Out
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