Front spring under?

Front spring under?
kicknjeep

kicknjeep

Old Time Jeeper
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Lebanon,Tn
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1999 TJ, 1976 CJ-5 2 seater
I am thinking of changing the front back to spring under and leaving the back SOA. question is, Has anybody here done this? and if so what lift (spring) do i need for the front to match the back? Present springs has "NO" lift. Just thinking about it right now but may be best bet rather than reworking whole front suspension. Any and all replies welcome...
 
By changing from SOA on both end to SOA front and SU on the rear you will have drastically different spring rates front and rear.

I have read where people have had terrible times doing this. :(
 
CJ, can you clarify for us? I can't see how taking a set of springs and putting them on the other side of the axle would change the spring rates?
And he wants to go Spring under on the front, and leave it spring over on the rear. IIRC, some factory trucks are set up this way originally.
 
Almost all SOA use later springs. You cannot use them under the axle and maintain a level CJ. So you have to use highly lifted CJ springs (6+ inches) to keep the vehicle level - different spring rates. I was thinking about keepig the CJ level - unless you like a 4.5" rake to your CJ by going SOA and Su? :confused:
 
I was thinking maybe a soft 4"-4 1/2 lift spring up front, while changing the back 1" longer shackle to a stock length leaving maybe 1/2"-3/4" rake toward front... CJ I see where you are coming from but remember this is a 90% offload Jeep w/no weight in the rear. Sound about right?
other option is a z-bar drag link with gussets in the bends. I have seen these on vehicles being driven on the road, so would it be OK on this Jeep? Just weighing options on which way would be best..
Oh and i know a lot of people frown upon z-bar drag links..
 
Kickn, before I tell ya what I think about Z Bars... Let us know what your coming from, where ya goin', and what you need to accomplish. :)

You have a fair share of input here and I'm pretty sure you know the answers to your questions before you even ask. :) I'm betting your looking for assurance to a direction you need to go. :)

So, what do ya say? Let us know where you need to go, :)
 
kicknjeep said:
I was thinking maybe a soft 4"-4 1/2 lift spring up front, while changing the back 1" longer shackle to a stock length leaving maybe 1/2"-3/4" rake toward front... CJ I see where you are coming from but remember this is a 90% offload Jeep w/no weight in the rear. Sound about right?
other option is a z-bar drag link with gussets in the bends. I have seen these on vehicles being driven on the road, so would it be OK on this Jeep? Just weighing options on which way would be best..
Oh and i know a lot of people frown upon z-bar drag links..
Click to expand...

You have never seen a factory vehicle w/ a Z bar drag link, there is a reason it's unsafe as are lift blocks on the front axle.:eek: DON'T DO IT!!!!
 
LongHorn said:
You have never seen a factory vehicle w/ a Z bar drag link, there is a reason it's unsafe as are lift blocks on the front axle.:eek: DON'T DO IT!!!!
Click to expand...

X100 espcially off road, Thats where it's going to go through hell at.
Open that wallet and do it right. Yea you know... hight steer.:)
 
I think you could get away with 4" lift SUA in front. Not sure what kinda rake you would have though.
 
Old Dog said:
X100 espcially off road, Thats where it's going to go through hell at.
Open that wallet and do it right. Yea you know... hight steer.:)
Click to expand...

I love mine SOA, spring reversal, high steer setup.
It's the best handling Jeep I've ever driven, including a stock brand new 81' CJ5 .
 
I do think leaving it soa and doing the high steer would be better. You really don't want lift springs in front. Keep the soft ones you have on there now it will flex better, and ride better.
 
CJ I am trying to weigh the difference between swapping out the SOA springs for SUA on the front versus keeping it SOA and trying to work with what i have. I may have thought I have seen factory z-bar drag links but may be mistaken but i get the hint that it is a bad thing and will scratch that idea.
As far as high steer and going w/flattop knuckles I didn't see anything for a Dana 30 front for Jeep. Did see one for Early Bronco Dana 30 though. most important thing is that I am trying to get this rig ready to wheel and have very little funds to do it. I cannot even list all the redo's I have left to do from the PO and won't even tell you how unsafe it is now, But most here can relate to that...
 
Kickn, What do you have for a steering set-up now?
By the way you can interchange Dana 30 and Dana 44 from the ball joints out.
 
Old Dog don't know if you can see it from this pic but the drag link is running at an extreme angle as well as the diff turned up at an extreme angle so the leaf springs will just miss rubbing the link (not to mention some sort of spacer on the pitman arm to the link).
I didn't know you could interchange a Dana 30 and Dana 44 knuckles, I would assume one would need only the passenger side?. that makes it a lot easier to plan a route!
where would be a good source for the Dana 44 knuckle?
cp1_0817091126.jpg
 
The link I gave you before has good info in it.
You would need both side's as you would have different spindles.
I've never done this so I'm only going off internet info. :eek:
 
Both over or both under. That's the way they should be. I do not like lift shackles. They put too much side stress on attachment brackets and frame horns and can contribute to cracking.
 
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