Progress on my heep

[jeepn-jason]

CJ5 Progress Pics

Finally getting the axle swap almost complete. Got the axles from a buddy with 456s already and a detroit on the rear 14bolt, and lockright on the front d44. Went with xj springs in the rear, with the fixed mount moved back 6", for a 12" stretch in the rear. Still got to set the pinion angle and install the traction bar. I have DIY4x disk brake brkts on the rear, still need the calipers.

I was going to do a shackle reversal in the front but after studying on it too hard I decided to just leave the shackle foward to prevent problems with castor and also not having to get a long travel drive shaft. The front springs are jcwhitney hd cj rear springs, ( they were on the jeep when I bought it), and they seem to be pretty flexy. I moved the front axle 1" toward the front. Still waiting on the steering knuckle to get back from carolina rock shop, where it is getting drilled and tapped.

 

[jeepn-jason]

More pics

 

[upnover]

Staying with the shackle in the front is the easy way out. However when on an approach it needs to move forward to do it's job, instead of backwards like in a shackle reversal. Moving forward it will not preform as well. Before I put my custom four spline in the front, I used a limiting strap to keep mine from flexing so much I seperated. Also look at the fender trim. With larger tires you may still get into the fenders. I know mine was trimed like yours and with as much flewx as I had, the tires got into them a good bit. So you may need to do more trimming and bumpstops.
kudos to those who can get into a CJ-5. just not enough room in one for me.
Anyways, looks like you are well on your way, keep us posted on progress.

 

[jeepn-jason]

As soon as the funds allow a 60 will be going in the front, along with full hydro and shackle reversal. I will be running bump stops in the rear to keep the tires out of the rear qtr. panels. And yep I am a short guy, 5'6" so gettin in and out of the 5 is pretty easy for me.