Bolt-on leaf spring hangers?

[mhubacek]

(68' CJ5 )Pulled my frame off last weekend, and I'm going to sandblast it this weekend. I believe my spring perches, and leaf spring hangers and shackles are toast. I am a new fan of the sawsal! I want to run yj leaf springs and possibly a SOA. I've read that running REAR YJ leaf springs front and rear is better for SOA. I don't trust my welding enough to weld on suspension and steering yet. I'm trying to find good quality Bolt-on Hangers/perches so it can be bolted to the original holes, then welded. Any idea's? Any advice on this topic?

 

[LongHorn]

(68' CJ5 )Pulled my frame off last weekend, and I'm going to sandblast it this weekend. I believe my spring perches, and leaf spring hangers and shackles are toast. I am a new fan of the sawsal! I want to run yj leaf springs and possibly a SOA. I've read that running YJ leaf springs front and rear is better for SOA. I don't trust my welding enough to weld on suspension and steering yet. I'm trying to find good quality Bolt-on Hangers/perches so it can be bolted to the original holes, then welded. Any idea's? Any advice on this topic?

I had this crazy idea to use bolt on spring perches when I built my "8".
I'm thinking, I could adjust my pinion angle. Bad Idea! I bought high quality cadmium plated bolt on perches, tightened the out of them. I took'em wheel'in blew up on the first obstacle. They were fine on the street, but when I put them in a bind they let go.

 

[CJ]

100% agree - bolt-ons will twist and turn with just the slightest force. They may be OK for a street car but not on Jeep that will be scraping rocks and tree roots and tearing through mud and sand!

 

[mhubacek]

Did you weld them as well? I thought having the bolts as back-up would be a good back-up plan for a novice welder such as myself! Currently my stock ones have the factory rivets?, and were welded too. Thanks for your input, much appreciated!

 

[CJ]

If you weld them - even a bad weld will help.

Why not get some steel and do some welding practice before you weld on such an important item? A little practice will help more then you know!

 

[LongHorn]

Did you weld them as well? I thought having the bolts as back-up would be a good back-up plan for a novice welder such as myself! Currently my stock ones have the factory rivets?, and were welded too. Thanks for your input, much appreciated!

I tack welded them on both sides of the perch, but it did not hold.
One side came loose & rotated. That snapped my pinion.

 

[mhubacek]

I'm glad I asked! I was close to purchasing some. I'll take your advice, and work on my welding. Maybe I can find someone near me to check my work when it's complete. I've practiced alot, and welded some projects, but never had to depend on the weld w/my life!

 

[CJ]

If you have a decent weld AND bolt them on - you'll pretty much be OK... Double enforcement!

 

[mhubacek]

Thanks, I think I would feel better with double enforcement!

 

[mylittlecj5]

I'm not sure that they will work for your application with out some work, but all my later ('76-up) CJs have bolt-on spring hangers from the factory. How are they not strong enough for wheelin'?
I know the round part on the front ones tend to open up over time, but I bought a set of HD aftermarket ones to avoid that problem with the OEM stuff.

 

[LongHorn]

I'm not sure that they will work for your application with out some work, but all my later ('76-up) CJs have bolt-on spring hangers from the factory. How are they not strong enough for wheelin'?
I know the round part on the front ones tend to open up over time, but I bought a set of HD aftermarket ones to avoid that problem with the OEM stuff.

It wasn't the hangers that concerned me, it was the spring perches on the axle housing.

 

[mylittlecj5]

but the Op asked about hangers as well as perches, so I gave an answer to him on that subject.

As far as bolt-on perches, I'd never heard of them. Good thing to know about....so I can avoid them like the plague. That is one thing that never would have crossed my mind as a bolt-on item, since the slightest lapse in maintenance or a well-placed rock will turn a nice outing into a bad day. On the street or in the dirt.

 

[mhubacek]

It's just the Leaf Spring Hangers, and Spring Perches on the frame I'll be replacing, at this time. I'm going to yj springs. Spring perches on axle housing? I haven't looked real closely, and I'm at work, but It looked like my spring perches for the lower end of the shock were sticking out from underneath the leaf spring where the u bolts bolt to. I didn't think it was welded to the axles. Mylittle CJ5 , that was why I didn't understand why Bolt on Spring Hangers, and Upper Shock perches would be bad news. Because like your rig, mine from the factory had been bolted/riveted? on. Then PO had welded them as well to re-enforce them. Longhorn, aside from the shock perches on axles how do you feel about bolt-on applications for those other areas, followed by weld. Thanks, for the help!

 

[LongHorn]

It's just the Leaf Spring Hangers, and Spring Perches on the frame I'll be replacing, at this time. I'm going to yj springs. Spring perches on axle housing? I haven't looked real closely, and I'm at work, but It looked like my spring perches for the lower end of the shock were sticking out from underneath the leaf spring where the u bolts bolt to. I didn't think it was welded to the axles. Mylittle CJ5 , that was why I didn't understand why Bolt on Spring Hangers, and Upper Shock perches would be bad news. Because like your rig, mine from the factory had been bolted/riveted? on. Then PO had welded them as well to re-enforce them. Longhorn, aside from the shock perches on axles how do you feel about bolt-on applications for those other areas, followed by weld. Thanks, for the help!

I sounds good to me. Keep'em tight. I guess we had a mix up in nomenclature, it happens.

 

[mhubacek]

Thanks, my jeep jargon is terrible, so I understand how you could get confused! Half the time I have to get my jeep manual out just to explain my post properly.

 

[LongHorn]

Thanks, my jeep jargon is terrible, so I understand how you could get confused! Half the time I have to get my jeep manual out just to explain my post properly.

Rodger that, no harm no foul. Over.