Jmacx J7 Cruiser full width axle & 5 link coil upgrade

[rudi.hinze]

Today I got in a full, "all bells & whistles" J7 Cruiser 4" lift, full width rear axle and 5 link coil spring conversion kit from Jmacx in Oz.

The 5 link solid axle system has many advantages over stock, including:

Increased off road capability
Elevated occupant comfort
Improved on and off road handling
Increased towing stability
Increased off-road articulation
Over-engineered driveline and suspension components; and
Wheel track correction (includes corrected fabricated diff housing and axles to suit)

The kit came with:

Conversion frame incl. chassis reinforcement, coil towers, control arm mounts and panhard mount
Lower control arm mounts
Adjustable control arms & adjustable panhard rods
Forged front radius arms,
Heavy-duty swaybar and linkage
Coil retainers
Bump stops
Heavy duty fabricated diff housing (With track to match front axles)
Chromoly axles
Braided extended brake lines,
Portal axle compatible,
King 2.5" remote-reservoir shocks and King steering damper,
Coil-helper airbags,
Brown Davis long-range fuel tank
Stainless steel 3in exhaust

Some pictures of the stash:



We only started at around 15:00 this afternoon and got this far -



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[Shane]

They say if you have to ask - you can't afford it...

But I can't help myself!

What would this mod cost - roughly?

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[rudi.hinze]

They say if you have to ask - you can't afford it...

But I can't help myself!

What would this mod cost - roughly?

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Flying in the stuff with couriers adds to the bill, plus all ticking all the expensive boxes does more so.

I keep stock codes of these kits and formally quote if needed, but as you see it without portals flown in not much change from half a bar. If you can wait up to 14 weeks (consolidated sea shipment) you can knock up to 20% off.

Add portals and you've essentially bought another Cruiser.

There are cheaper options also and another option priced at 4 times this kit (I do throw in the Cruiser and another axle in though).

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[Shane]

Ok. I was just interested to know what people spend on upgrades/improvements!

Looks good though!

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[XJ Junkie]

It’s a comprehensive kit but half a bar is a chunk of change for what is essentially a 4 inch lift.

[grips]

Very nice Rudi.

I think it is time that a South African design a similar system

[Mad Manny]

It’s a comprehensive kit but half a bar is a chunk of change for what is essentially a 4 inch lift.

Look, it's pricey.
But you get the lift.
A change from leafs to coils.
The widening of the track.
Plus the items like increased comfort & towing stability Rudi mentioned above...

Pity (not for Rudi) the 76 doesn't come like this factory direct.

[rudi.hinze]

Thank you for the interest and kind words!

Quick update. Yesterday, we firstly removed most of the last items remaining before trial fitment of the rear cradle could occur -



Then it was the big grind and grind some more session, and a spot of painting chassis black. Trial fitments proved valuable (latest SA spec Cruisers have some smaller handbrake brackets in the way not seen in the disc brake'd Aussie unit) but not too long thereafter the main plate had its place -



Side gusset trial fitment followed -



Then it was a case of drill, drill some more and drill even more. This is laborious but boring to show. This followed more painting chassis black and a treatment of Tectyl which will be left to cure for 24 hours.

We did play with the front end also a bit, fitting the much longer (4" lift) coils -



and then loosely the front King shocks -



We played with reservoir placement albut did not go for the high mount as seen here.

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[rudi.hinze]

Quick update on today's progress. As expected, we literally had 'paint' drying on the rear after stripping out all items fitted and slathering Tectyl everywhere steel may touch and inside the chassis.

Up front, we got time to re-fit the canisters-



You will also note that the new radius arms were fitted using factory bushes (pressed out of the old (new) arms. The sway bar was spaced down a lotm

Also, an adjustable Jmacx track bar/panhard rod and King steering damper were fitted -



At the end of the day and with the Tectyl lightly cured, we once again loosely fitted the rear suspension brackets ready to torque to spec tomorrow morning -



I'm looking forward to seeing this guy under the Cruiser -



Bit more than just a 4" lift kit being supplied and fitted.

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[grips]

Now ........................... where do I find he words to describe this

Awesome Rudi

[Oppies3800]

Can't you fabricate most of those items?

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[Mike Nel]

One day when I’m big I will buy a vehicle. I will then come and park that vehicle in your yard, give a few Rands and let you do your magic

[Wave]

Can't you fabricate most of those items?

Maybe copy the kit locally...

[rudi.hinze]

Thanks to all for the kind words. We will, however, not be copying the Jmacx components.

Update on today's progress.

We had a very busy day on other bookings so manpower was limited, but progress nonetheless occurred.

With the Tectyl properly cured, we finally torqued down all subframe brackets in three steps to the recommended spec and finally, the time came to place the new axle under the Cruiser -



Lower control arms were roughly adjusted to length and, after cleaning out powdercoat from the holes, the arms were being fitted (to those who have been at the shop, this proves I can fit suspension links faster than my main technician if I want to )-



Next up the airbags and lines were fitted to the coils and the units, including trim packers, were fitted below the Cruiser -



Next to follow was the prep and installation of the 185L Brown Davis (Australian) replacement fuel tank (following on from my previous posts regarding local suppliers, the simplicity of this tank and basic fitment method makes it a shame no local big players in the tank market have a tank available for the V8 76 series) -



After a bit of a fight the Brown Davis gave up and went in, as well as the rear panhard rod and new studs for the centre portion. This is much closer to the finished product-



Again, bit more than a 4" lift kit

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[rudi.hinze]

I see I forgot to update. The Cruiser is now done and running very well.

From where we left off:

We found brand new rear discs from a company that builds mine spec Cruisers. Some pics of what happened.

Rear shocks and sway bar were fitted, reservoirs staggered for a reason (exhaust and BPV rod clearance)



Centre portion back in



View from the rear



Rims and tires on at the front. Front is basically done at this stage.



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