'73 CJ5 - Stock Springs

[middle road]

Hi,
Need some hand-holding. Just acquired my third CJ5 after a hiatus of 25 yrs since the last one.
more background here: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f60/heyo-all-22590/#post187388
Day Two and I've had a chance to go over it a bit. -OUCH-
I put new Wranglers on it first off to get it home in one piece. 235/75R15's.

Front springs are gone gonzo, byebye. Flat and are resting on the rear stops and the axle bumpers only have 3/8" clearance.
Tie Rod Ends - Gone.
U-Joint in Driver side knuckle - .4" of travel, up and down with axle moving.
Steering gear box looks good, but the Steering wheel had a 1/2" of play when pulling up on it, in/out. (is that normal?)
Shocks - What shocks, ... Oh those.
No cracks so far.

Need to get the front end done up so I can drive her with confidence.
Very unsettling right now. too darn sloppy and unpredictable.
I've poured over these boards for at least four hours in the past 36 hours,
and I am overwhelmed with the springs.
The different number of leafs, varying eye dimensions, ETC.

I am going to stick with stock right now, don't need to go with a lift currently.
It has the AMC 304 V8 in her, I'm enjoying the steering compared to my other two 1970's.

I need help in getting pointed in a direction to purchase springs, shackles and bushings.
I figure on going with Poly bushings like I had done on one of my '70's and new braced shackles.
I just have no idea which way to proceed. A lot of posts seem directed at lifting.

Sorry for the long post. Going to snap some picts tomorrow.

TIA,
_Dan

 

[mylittlecj5]

If your going to replace the springs anyways, my opinion is dropping a little more cash and getting a set of 2.5" lift springs. It'll make it ride and handle the offroad trails better.
Just go with a reputable manufacturer (BDS, Rancho (rides real hard) Old Man Emu, Superlift, ect.) and you can't go wrong.
I have Currie shackles on my CJ7 that are designed to hook a flat tow bar to. These work well, or get a set of heavy duty ones. (read: not extended or 'lifted').

 

[middle road]

Checked out the prices on a 2.5 inch lift, whoa, $720 with the shocks. a bit of sticker shock there for me.
We're doing a buddy's YJ this weekend with a 4" lift and that kit was only $449.
Should have check out the parts cost before jumping on it.
All has to do with supply and demand. And the number of units on the road nowadays.
I was toying with the idea of grabbing my buddy's YJ springs and getting the conversion kit for that.
That's $549 at Rocky Road... Then the shocks and I'm back at $700.
Nobody said it was cheap, this CJ5 addiction...

Now I remember back in '87 getting a set of stock springs for my 2nd CJ5 was $210, that's only what - 26 years ago...

_Dan