1960 CJ5 springs

[chuck35f]

On my 1960 CJ5 the mounts for the springs are 43.75" apart, does anybody know if this is stock as at least the rear springs are not stock. The front has the 5 spring setup, but eh rear has 4 springs, which is not stock as far as what I have found searching online. My CJ has a "pimp" lean to the drivers side, and the springs are flat in the rear. But I do not want to go and get the wrong springs. And after I figure out what springs I need, what would be a good size/lift to get. as my jeep sits now it is the stock height, so I would assume that the old springs are lift springs.
Chuck

 

[CJ]

Hey Chuck, sorry I missed this post...

Not sure about the 43.75" number, what we need to know is how wide are the leafs on the springs? That will tell us what year springs are on that CJ.

 

[chuck35f]

I will check in a bit and get back to you.
Chuck

 

[chuck35f]

OK Cj, they are: 2.25 front, and 2.5 rear.

 

[CJ]

CJ and YJ springs are 2.0" and 2.5"... Is the 2.25" closer to 2 or 2.5?

 

[chuck35f]

Soory about that, the rears are 2.5, and the fronts are 2.0. I think the tape got stuck on a lil chunk of mud before.
Chuck

 

[CJ]

Sounds like YJ and CJ springs... Anyone else want to chime in here?

 

[chuck35f]

So is it YJ in front, and CJ in the rear or vise-versa? This will make it rather difficult to get the 2-3 in lift springs that are on it replaced. Do you think I should goto a local spring place, and ask them about the cost of replacing them?

 

[CJ]

2" is CJ, 2.5" is YJ AFAIK... I'm not real sure on later model springs so we should wait for others to help out...

As for more difficult to replace, not really... You just order a a set of YJ and CJ springs.

 

[chuck35f]

Most of the lift kits I have seen are for all four wheels, where can you order front/rear sets from for the best prices? The rear right is flat, no arch at all, and when I get in it the springs actually invert a little, I am only 250lbs so it should not drop 2+ inches. I am afraid that soon it will break, and my CJ is my after work daily driver. It leans with out me in it and when I am in it, my buddy says it looks like I way 700lbs the way it leans.

 

[CJ]

Most of the lift kits I have seen are for all four wheels~~~

That is the general rule. Most vendors have the ability to allow you to pick and choose. They just don't advertise this. Usually it just takes a phone call...

Example, Morris 4x4 only lists BD spring kits with and without shocks, yet you can buy individual springs without any problems.

Now, I'm still not sure about the 2" vs the 2.5" spring scenario... I'd let another of our members post about this before I would make a purchase...

 

[chuck35f]

Cj, I believe I read when I first got the jeep that the sizes width wise are correct for my year, I have been looking to see if I can find it but of coarse I cannot. how do I add links for good web site I find? Or should I just send them to you and have you ppost them?
Chuck

 

[caryabhi126]

I too think 2.25 front, and 2.5 rear.

 

[chuck35f]

I remeasured and they are 2 and 2.5, Cary are you saying you think they are stock? I am a little confused about your post

 

[Old Dog]

On my 83 CJ7 the springs are 2in in front and 2 1/2in in the rear.
I would not think you would want to mix cj & yj springs as they have different spring rates.

 

[chuck35f]

Thanks OD how far are you spring perches apart? not allot on the old girl is stock so I am just trying to order the springs that will fit. Does your jeep have a V-8?

 

[Old Dog]

chuck

As far as spring perches go mine are 27 1/2 front and 36 in the rear. I know that will be different than yours though as there was a frame change in the early 70's.
I think you might have ment how long are they from shackel to shackel which would be app. 43 1/4 front and 43 3/4 in the rear.
Remember though yours is a 1960 mine is a 83 there was lots of changes.
Yes I do have a v8, it's a chevy though not a AMC.

 

[chuck35f]

Well Old Dog, I know that it will be crushing to know that my V-8 is a Chevy 350, so we both have SBCs, What kind of exhaust manifolds do you have? Mine are the hooker style, and they come out through the drivers side wheel well, and it is killing my clearance. I found some block huggers on summit for $99, and some that are meant for "jeep SBC engine swaps" for $300, I was considering the $99 set. but $300 is a little steep for my blood in the near term. If it was not for the exhaust I could run 31' with no more lift, and 33's with a 2.5 lift.
I took my jeep to a local 4WD shop today and he checked out my springs, and gave my a quote on springs and U bolts for $400 something. He said it looks like the fronts are stock five leaf, and the rears are stock height, even though the drive train has been dropped for a lifted suspension, such as the cross memeber being lowered around an inch, and he said with the power steering I have that lifting it by 3" would not hurt it as it is further out of something like that. So I think I will go with the 2.5" sometime this summer as my cj has a noticeable "pimp lean" to the drivers side

 

[LongHorn]

Have you tried the old chevy ram's horn exhaust manifolds, some are 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" outlet?

 

[OlivergreenCJ7]

Your probably running a standard CJ5 or 7 lift for the 76-86 models years. I know the 7's run 2" in the front and 2.5" in the rear.. Yj are 2.5" all corners. Most CJ owners will swap out the front 2" spring for the wider rear YJ spring and just move their front shackle hanger forward an inch. Stock your 60 CJ5 had like 7 leaves in the front and 8 in the rear if not more. My father's rides like a bread truck. Rancho makes a 1" lift spring for early CJ's the word is there stiff, but they should hold up to your 350... If someone has already done the work to get later model CJ springs on your earlier year model I say run with it. I might have missed what you want to run, but I use a superlift 4" lift with 35's and love the spring on my 79 CJ7 . You can get them for under $500 bucks complete and its bolt on... I believe they also make a 1" lift for earlier CJs.