Technical question:

"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
06/30/2014 at 11:36 • Filed to: None

Does anybody know where to get Jag E-type rear suspension measurements? In case that seems like an odd request, let me explain: E-types up through 80s XJs all use a version of the same suspension, but I believe the earlier types use a smaller frame/box support. I *know* that the control arms are a different length. I need to narrow the box from an XJ-S to fit a narrow frame...

I'm not sure the various shop manuals would have what I need, and most people retrofitting into other things don't use the box. I have a 1:25 scale E-type suspension that *suggests* it's smaller, but I can't tell for sure. Chassis rail width would also work...

DISCUSSION (16)

KatzManDu > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/30/2014 at 11:41

http://jag-lovers.org ??

mr_gofast > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/30/2014 at 11:41

http://www.hemmings.com/hsx/stories/20…

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > mr_gofast
06/30/2014 at 11:44

The specialists' list there might work. The track width is easy to get, but actual frame width/box frame width not so much.

daender > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/30/2014 at 11:44

Oddly, you might find your answer in the hot rod community since one of the major modifications on those 30s/40s street rods was converting the rear suspension over from a Jag E-Type.

Kinja'd!!!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > KatzManDu
06/30/2014 at 11:45

Might be a good place to touch base with someone actually having an E-type workshop manual, and thus frame rail width. Maybe.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > daender
06/30/2014 at 11:47

I've already plumbed some hotrodder forums and HAMB, but the fact that I'm trying to use the original box frame in modified form is working against me. 98% of these guys went with rigid mount or made something completely fresh.

mr_gofast > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/30/2014 at 11:48

try calling one of those specialists i lsited above...may be your best bet.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/30/2014 at 11:48

I wonder if I could put this jag suspension under my Capri....

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
06/30/2014 at 11:53

Version? The E-type rear is ~51" wide, the 420/ early XK is ~55" wide, and the late XK and XKS are 59"/61" wide or something like that. All measured hub face to hub face, IIRC

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/30/2014 at 12:08

Well, an 8" Ford rear end fits in a Capri no problem and it has a width of 57". An early XK one might work with some different off-set wheels.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
06/30/2014 at 12:11

Alternately, cut'n'weld the late type lower control arms, swap the half-shafts (I think there's one off-the-shelf, perhaps a Chevy, that fits with swapped U-joint). Later type are far and away the easiest to find. Partly depends on how you'd hang it, of course, same as my situation.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/30/2014 at 12:11

What years of XKs used the narrower track width?

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/30/2014 at 12:12

Probably make a bolt in subframe between the frame rails and solid mount it to the bottom of the car. I could tuck it up inside fairly easily since i have to cut all of the floor out anyways.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
06/30/2014 at 12:13

This info's a repeat of where I originally read it - my source was a brit hot-rodders' site:

http://blog.phrog.org/2011/09/13/jag…

Middle width may be unpossible to find.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
06/30/2014 at 12:21

With my situation, I want to use the box frame at least in part; so that I can preserve the brake management, emergency brake stuff, and most importantly the rubber mounts to frame. I want to preserve the Jaguar-level ride and passive steering ability. I'm probably going to add a little bit of body reinforcement over it and add one more bushing in the center, thus improving the overall weight capacity of the car quite a bit.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/30/2014 at 12:24

ahh, i see what you're saying. I guess it all depends on what i can find down the road. The car is gettin built on a pretty tight budget, so it'll keep the stock Capri 7.5 for a while.