How did we make the Brute...
How did we make the Brute even better? Using GenRight’s Legend Extreme kit, which includes a variety of suspension and steering components, all designed to help stretch the wheelbase and create a comfortable and capable 'crawler.
There comes a time in every vehicle's life when change is necessary. While our Jeep Wrangler-turned-AEV Brute had already experienced quite a bit of change, we were itching for more as we continually strive to achieve the best possible trail set up and highway ride combination. The ride wasn't bad by any means. But, still, we knew it could be much better. Seeking something along the lines of a custom trophy truck-style long-travel suspension that could attack any impossible obstacle we came across and still scoot us about town in comfort, we discovered GenRight Off-Road and its Legend Extreme suspension system.
One of the most notable attributes of the Legend Extreme system is that it lends the ability to reposition the front and rear axles to stretch the Wrangler's wheelbase. Most will find they can move the front axle forward about 2 to 3 inches and the rear axle back up to 5 inches, to achieve more than 100 inches of wheelbase. This is especially beneficial for those running 37-inch-and-larger tires. With the AEV Brute kit we had already added 24 inches to create a 117.4-inch wheelbase. With the GenRight Legend Extreme kit we'd add more by moving the front axle forward 5 inches for better tire to fender clearance. All told we'll net a 122.4-inch wheelbase.
GenRight's Legend Extreme system isn’t your typical driveway installation job. It's a completely new coilover suspension system that requires removal of most factory suspension brackets and mounts. You'll need a lift, welding equipment, plasma or cut-off torch, metal bending and fabrication skills, a whole mess of tools, and a healthy knowledge about suspension geometry and set up. For the most part the kit is somewhat of a custom system with most of the more difficult steps already accomplished.
Installation of the coilover shock system requires removal of the stock suspension brackets on the frame. We already had coilover mounts in place at the front and rear of the Brute but they were tucked mostly beneath the fenders and incorporated the factory spring buckets up front, which would impede moving the axle forward. With the GenRight hoops we’d also open up the fenderwells a bit more to fit 14-inch-travel King coilover shocks.
The suspension already in...
The suspension already in place on the Brute wasn't lacking. We'd used the Rubicon Express long-arm system for nearly 8 years and it was still ready for more, but the custom nature of the Brute lent itself toward a more custom suspension. We also have a lot more wheelbase to play with than we did when the Brute was a standard body Wrangler, so longer control arms would be an easy fit.
The front suspension was equipped...
The front suspension was equipped with the Rubicon Express radius arm long-arm and a host of other modifications, including a relocated track bar and a Dynatrac high-steer system. Though all of the components had served the Brute well, in order to install the Legend Extreme system and move the front axle forward all of it would be removed.
Genright's Legend Extreme...
Genright's Legend Extreme four-link kit uses heavy-duty 1/4- and 3/16-inch-thick laser-cut and CNC-bent control arm mounts. The control arms are made from 2-inch x 1/4-inch-wall DOM tube. GenRight offers rod ends from various manufacturers. We opted to use QA1 Rock Ends from QA1 Motorsports. The four-link rear kit also eliminates the need for a rear track bar.
The GenRight three-link kit...
The GenRight three-link kit features brackets and control arms manufactured in the same manner as the rear four-link kit. Use of a single upper control arm in the three-link kit greatly solves suspension clearance issues with the engine and trans oil pans, while permitting more suspension up travel without raising the ride height. The three-link kit also includes a track bar.
The front shock hoops are...
The front shock hoops are constructed from .120-inch-wall tubing and include an engine crossbar for extra support. GenRight shock hoops can also aid in the axle to be moved forward up to 2 inches.
GenRight's rear outboard shock...
GenRight's rear outboard shock mounts are laser-cut and CNC-bent from 1/4-inch-thick steel. A crossmember is included to provide additional support.