Going Full Width on My 81 CJ7

[04blkchevy]

Well I finally decided to go full width on the CJ and need a little advise on leaf springs.

tHESE ARE THE PARTS i ALREADY HAVE:

I found a Dana 44 with flat top knuckles from a 73 chevy blazer. Got it for 50 bucks.

Will be getting in some 78 ford hubs and rotors for free from a friend to convert to 5x5.5

Have brand new 37's on 17" black wheels(this is the tire size I want to stay with)

Already have a SOA currently

have a 9 inch in the rear already locked.( have 2 inch spacers to go with my front 44)

Drivetrain is a 350 sbc with sm465 and 205 Transfer Case

Now the problem I am having is fuguring out what leaf springs to use. I was going to buy some yj springs but been doing some research and it turns out that they are pretty soft. I am going to go outside the frame for the leaf spring mounts. Should I just go with stock chevy leaf springs?

Thanks for the help in advance

 

[CJ]

Why wouldn't you use the YJ springs? The softness gives a great ride and also fantastic articulation, and they have been used many times for applications such as yours. It's a tried and proven concept. My vote is for the YJ springs...

You have a SOA, do a reverse shackle and you are gold! One of the best articles I have ever seen about YJ SOA springs is here -->> http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=260276

 

[Old Dog]

here's a couple of sites with spring rates and measuarments in case you want to streach it a inch or so.
TheSuspensionKing.com - Welcome to TheSuspensionKing.com...
General Spring offers leaf springs, coil springs, lift kits, leveling kits
Hope this helps

 

[04blkchevy]

What I have read is that a shackle reversal wouldn't work great with yj springs because it would just work the opposite with the soft yj springs. I am picking up a set today that I got basically free. Im a check them out and go from there.

Those are some great leaf spring site Old Dog. The general springs have things really simple there.

Thanks for the help.