EVO Manufacturing Double Throwdown Install

Project Con Artist Part 18 Jeep Jk Front Three Quarter

Moab was looming, and we were looking to give Project ’Con Artist a little suspension freshening. Our previous suspension system, while it served us well, had been on ’Con for over four years. With nothing left to prove, we decided it was time to kick it up a notch and install a system that would evolve our JK project to the status of apex wheeler.

We were looking for a kit that offered big travel, go-fast capability, and the ability to take on Dusey or the Hammers with ease. We also wanted to retain ’Con’s daily driver comfort. When the folks at EVO Manufacturing offered to contribute one of their complete EVO Double ThrowDown systems, it didn’t take more than an eye blink to accept. We felt that this suspension would showcase the ultimate potential of the JK platform, while meeting the criteria we set above.

EVO Manufacturing, in Fullerton, California, specializes in Wranglers and offers a bevy of products ranging from budget-conscious lifts to full-tilt coilover and bypass shock conversion you see here. The EVO Double ThrowDown system features eight (8!) shocks, which allow 14 inches of front and rear wheel travel without making any body mods, all while keeping the center of gravity low (our new suspension offers several-inches of more travel over our old system without raising the Jeep’s height).

The beauty of the system lies in the EVO-Lever cantilever rear suspension system. Relocating your stock muffler makes space for a set of shocks positioned parallel to the frame. A push-pull arm arrangement turns horizontal shaft movement at the shock to vertical wheel movement at the axle. This allows a long-stroke shock to be used without cutting into the body. The finished product is a marvel of packaging, and because the shock linkage is mounted above the rear axle centerline, valuable ground clearance is gained.

At the very heart of the EVO Double ThrowDown suspension is a full complement of King shocks. Laid out on the table the damping hardware is an impressive sight. What you see here are two 12-inch-travel 2.0 coilovers and two 12-inch-travel 2.5 triple bypass shocks for the front, and two 8-inch-travel 2.0 coilovers and 8-inch-travel 2.0 dual bypasses for the rear.

At the very heart of the EVO Double ThrowDown suspension is a full complement of King shoc

With the Double ThrowDown upgrade, a bypass shock is added to the standard ride-height adjustable coilover at each corner. Despite popular belief, bypass shocks are not just good for the go-fast crowd. Bypasses have a distinct advantage in the rocks, by offering more control of the body while still allowing the axles to conform to the terrain. The ride can also be easily tailored to the driver’s preferences with simple hand tools, giving you complete control and flexibility—if you want it. For those who aren’t interested in twiddling the knobs, EVO provides both the coilover and bypasses pre-tuned with proprietary valving and ready to bolt on out of the box.

Another benefit of the EVO suspension system is the relocation of the track bar. By raising the track bar more than 10 inches, the roll center is now more in line with the center of gravity. As a result, there is less leverage for body lean, which means flat cornering and a Jeep that is poised in the twisties. The new track bar location also places it up on top of the axle where it is more protected.

With our setup, we decided to go with King shocks. King, which has been around for over 15 years, has developed a racing pedigree and a reputation in that aftermarket industry that many other companies can only dream of. This family-owned business makes production and one-off performance shocks right near our home offices in southern California. Not only does King provide a shock that has a level of quality that only comes with the care associated with hand-built products, but also they are there for you after the sale with comprehensive customer support, making this choice a no-brainer for us.

With only a week left before we had to leave for Moab, we headed down to Off Road Evolution in Fullerton, California, and began the transformation of Project ’Con Artist. Here is an overview of the installation.

How It Works
With no time to shake down the ’Con or fine-tune it, we drove to Moab and back with EVO’s out-of-the-box tuning. We were very surprised at just how stable and firm the ride was on the highway, with very little body lean. The Jeep was a joy to drive to Moab and maintained the same level of comfort we have always expected out of our JK. More impressively, the ’Con tackled all the trails we wanted to run in Moab and drove home without one suspension squeak or rattle. The Jeep feels incredibly stable, and there is so much travel, we have driven over obstacles that looked ominous without ever feeling it as a passenger. Since Moab, we have made a very minor adjustment to the suspension to make it slightly more compliant on the highway. With all the hype surrounding this high-end suspension, we weren’t sure how realistic our expectations should be going in. However, after a few thousand miles of mixed driving we can tell you that we are more impressed than we thought we’d ever be, and this is one setup that delivers on its promises.

We began ’Con’s suspension overhaul by removing everything hanging under the frame until we were left with just frame rails.
We began ’Con’s suspension overhaul by removing everything hanging under the frame until w
After the axles and suspension were removed, we cut away the front coil buckets and ground the frame smooth in preparation of the new coilover towers.
After the axles and suspension were removed, we cut away the front coil buckets and ground
Next, the front coilover towers were welded in place. Notice that the towers are angled rearward for increased wheel travel and improved impact absorption at high speeds.
Next, the front coilover towers were welded in place. Notice that the towers are angled re

The brackets for the front arms are integrated into EVO’s transmission crossmember. The EVO crossmember is a multi-piece design that allows the transmission to be serviced without removing any of the suspension links.
The brackets for the front arms are integrated into EVO’s transmission crossmember. The EV
Here you can see the rear control arm brackets after they had been welded to the frame and painted for corrosion resistance.
Here you can see the rear control arm brackets after they had been welded to the frame and
Moving to the rear of ’Con, we fitted the EVO-Lever rear subframe and welded it into place. Not only will welding not void your EVO warranty, but also it is encouraged.
Moving to the rear of ’Con, we fitted the EVO-Lever rear subframe and welded it into place

With the mounting brackets and subframe installed, the suspension arms were fitted to ’Con. These arms are made from 2-inch-think, 0.281-inch-wall DOM and use Currie Johnny Joints at each end for maximum articulation and serviceability. EVO1 adjusters allow the length of the links to be adjusted without removing them from the vehicle, and the lower control arms use 1.25-in Heim adjusters for strength. EVO also offers billet aluminum ENVY Links for those who like a little more show with their go.
With the mounting brackets and subframe installed, the suspension arms were fitted to ’Con
The installation started coming together when we were able to hang the front shocks for the first time. The existing Dynatrac ProRock 44 was reinstalled with the new arms, and new shock mounts for the dual dampers were then welded to the axle. The King shocks are specifically valved to this system right out of the box, but the bypass shocks can be further fine-tuned in minutes with simple hand tools.
The installation started coming together when we were able to hang the front shocks for th
To wrap up the front, we reinstalled the factory track bar (an aftermarket adjustable can also be used) to the new mount, installed the new sway bar endlinks, and reinstalled the existing steering stabilizer, checking for clearance.
To wrap up the front, we reinstalled the factory track bar (an aftermarket adjustable can

Knowing that ’Con would be completely disassembled and would require new axle bracketry, we decided that this would be the perfect time to upgrade our tired rear axle to a semi-floating Dynatrac ProRock 60, which we stuffed with 5.13:1 gears and an ARB Air Locker.
Knowing that ’Con would be completely disassembled and would require new axle bracketry, w
Once the new rear axle was hung, we were able to install the rear shocks and route the reservoirs and hoses. It is amazing how EVO was able to package so much in this small space formerly occupied by the muffler.
Once the new rear axle was hung, we were able to install the rear shocks and route the res
Here is one of the two key cantilever arms for the rear suspension. These arms, mated to the shocks in a push-pull arrangement, allow the shocks to lie on end, which creates 14 inches of wheel travel without cutting into the body.
Here is one of the two key cantilever arms for the rear suspension. These arms, mated to t

To preserve driveshaft life, the rear suspension is strapped at 14 inches of travel.
While the EVO suspension system allows the use of the stock rear sway bar, we upgraded to Currie’s bolt-on Antirock sway bar in the rear for increased performance on the trail. The sway bar is made from SAE 4130 heat-treated steel for strength, and we spec’d ours with the aluminum arms.
While the EVO suspension system allows the use of the stock rear sway bar, we upgraded to
Because the EVOLever displaces the stock muffler, EVO includes a stainless-steel Dynomax muffler with the kit. This compact muffler is especially useful on ’Con, where underbody space is at a premium. We were impressed that this muffler has no drone at freeway speeds and exhales in a nice, mellow tone.
Because the EVOLever displaces the stock muffler, EVO includes a stainless-steel Dynomax m

The finished EVOLever is compact and effective. Because the suspension mounts above the axle, there are also big gains in ground clearance. Note the smoothness to the underside of the axletube.
The finished EVOLever is compact and effective. Because the suspension mounts above the ax
Now complete, here is a view of the rear suspension from the side at full droop.
This is the front EVO Double ThrowDown conversion in its finished state. This setup allows us to run a softer spring rate when compared to a traditional lift spring, and is height adjustable. We have our ride height set for more droop and a lower center of gravity.
This is the front EVO Double ThrowDown conversion in its finished state. This setup allows

Because the bypass tubes require clearance, we needed a wheel with a 3.5-inch backspacing. We found what we were looking for from TR Beadlocks. These one-piece 17x8.5 HD Series wheels were designed as a beadlock from the beginning and are cast here in the U.S. We powdercoated them black, which is nice contrast to the 3/8-inch-thick 6061 T6 billet aluminum clamp ring.
Because the bypass tubes require clearance, we needed a wheel with a 3.5-inch backspacing.
We have continued to be impressed with the all-around performance of our 37x12.50R17 Falken WildPeak A/Ts, so we decided to stay with them at this stage of the build.
We have continued to be impressed with the all-around performance of our 37x12.50R17 Falke
To ensure all of the new parts had proper clearance, we took ’Con up Off Road Evolution’s 30-degre RTI ramp. We scored a 725, which is an equivalent of 1,059 on a 20-dgree ramp.
To ensure all of the new parts had proper clearance, we took ’Con up Off Road Evolution’s

SOURCES
Dynatrac 7392 Count Circle Huntington Beach CA 92647 714-596-4461 www.dynatrac.com	EVO MFG. N/A AK 714-870-5515 www.evomfg.com
Falken Tire 13649 Valley Boulevard Fontana CA 92335 800-723-2553 www.falkentire.com	Off Road Evolution 1829 W Commonwealth Avenue Fullerton CA 92833 714-870-5515 www.offroadevolution.com
TR Beadlocks 425-353-6776 www.trbeadlocks.com	Currie Enterprises 1480 North Tustin Avenue Anaheim CA 92807 714-367-2685 www.currieenterprises.com
Dynomax Monroe MI 734-384-7806 www.dynomax.com	ARB USA 720 SW 34th Street Renton WA 98057 866-293-9078 www.arbusa.com
King Shocks 12842 Joy Street Garden Grove CA 92840 714-530-8701 www.kingshocks.com