need some clearing up on intermediate cj ->yj spring conversion

[nsargeant]

hi everyone. I posted about a year ago about my 74 CJ5 having flat springs and perhaps even a negative arch now. I want to put all new suspension on my jeep and from everything that i have read that the yj conversion is the way to go. with that being said I have some questions in regarding the swap with my jeep being an intermediate CJ5 . In looking up the rear spring lengths between the (72-75) cj, (76-86), and the yj the lengths are all within an inch of being the same. 23", 22 9/16, 22 11/16 to be exact. Now the fronts are not nearly as close. 19 7/8, 22 1/16, and 22 11/16. I guess my question is that just moving the front shackle hanger forward a hole is not going to make up half of the 2 13/16" that I am going to need. What is the approach to getting yj springs to fit on the front of an intermediate CJ5 ?

thanks for reading,
nathan

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Ive never put the Yj springs on a pre76 jeep but from a fabrication standpoint I would consider adding a solid front bumper and moving the shackle mounts to it.. or at least use it to support the shackle mounts. Also keep in mind the the springs from a yj are 2.5" wide and CJ are 2 in the front. try googling rear stretch yj and CJ and you should be able to find some pics of what im referring to.

 

[Posi]

The stock CJ came with 2 ½“ rear springs and 2” front springs. YJ springs are 2 ½” wide so you can use a set of CJ rear spring hangers in the front to replace the 2” hangers.





Front and rear CJ hanger. Moving the hanger forward and the CJ rear hanger being shorter you will need to add a 1”shim between the steering box bracket and frame. I cut a piece off the original hanger.





Side view of spacer



I also added a beefier steering bracket that moved the box forward an 1” (you will need to make a small notch in the front crossmember).