Alright so the '80 CJ7 I brought home a few weekends ago is sitting pretty high on what I have determined are Rusty's 4" CJ springs. Only ones I could find with a military wrap like mine. They're SOA so it's HUGE. The driveshaft angles are terrible. I want to lower it enough to fix the driveshaft angles, and remove the current 1" T-case drop.
I've been considering some stock HD YJ springs, I am aware that the YJ fronts are .5" wider and slightly longer than CJ fronts (rears are both 2.5"). I've done the math and figured YJ springs will net me roughly 1.5" of wheelbase over CJ springs. It's not a huge gain, but combined with the lower COG it will add a little more stability. I'm also aware it could cause other issues in the suspension and steering, but nothing worth having comes easy. Current WB is 95"ish on 38.5"s...
Yes, I'm fully aware that rear wheel wells will require extensive butchering, but that just means less rot for me to fix.
EDIT - Decided on YJ's seeing as the front u-bolt plates, shackles, and frame-side leaf mounts are all wide enough for a 2.5" spring, yet they're holding a 2" wide spring with washers outside of the bushings as "shims". Lovely PO front outboard hackjob. Time to get some new u-bolts, shocks and YJ springs.
Mod, delete this thread please.
I've been considering some stock HD YJ springs, I am aware that the YJ fronts are .5" wider and slightly longer than CJ fronts (rears are both 2.5"). I've done the math and figured YJ springs will net me roughly 1.5" of wheelbase over CJ springs. It's not a huge gain, but combined with the lower COG it will add a little more stability. I'm also aware it could cause other issues in the suspension and steering, but nothing worth having comes easy. Current WB is 95"ish on 38.5"s...
Yes, I'm fully aware that rear wheel wells will require extensive butchering, but that just means less rot for me to fix. EDIT - Decided on YJ's seeing as the front u-bolt plates, shackles, and frame-side leaf mounts are all wide enough for a 2.5" spring, yet they're holding a 2" wide spring with washers outside of the bushings as "shims". Lovely PO front outboard hackjob. Time to get some new u-bolts, shocks and YJ springs.
Mod, delete this thread please.