rear leaf perches

[justinfonder]

i'm putting the pieces together to do a waggy axle swap on my 81 CJ5 . while doing so, i'd like to add a few inches to the wheelbase. I'm staying spring under axle. I found these spring perches by Ruff Stuff that move the axle back 2-3" but they tell me they are for SOA only. does anyone see why these could not be used SUA? my biggest worry with them is that the only thing holding them on is the weld from perch to axle instead of the traditional u-bolt style. opinions on this product? anyone know of any other offset perches like these made for SUA? thanks guys

EDIT - forgot to include a link to the perch kit i'm talking about.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/2PLUS.html

 

[Incommando]

The concern is probably that moving the axle forward or back on a SUA would move the axle tube closer the leafs arch and may allow contact as it flexes and could break a leaf. This was pointed out to me when I asked a similar question a long time ago.

 

[Purple77CJ7]

I agree with above. I think you will have to relocate the springs to the rear to get 2-3".

 

[gert]

Im not seeing the leaf spring breaking. Are you guys talking about the axle having more leverage being further back on the spring? The diagram shows the axle tube will be 1.48'' off the spring. I can see that you would not have a sandwhich attachment like normal, which would bother me as you are totally dependent on a weld which the factory did their best to stay away from.

 

[justinfonder]

so using these SUA i would be losing about an inch of lift -vs- a regular perch. but is there any reason why i couldnt use them SUA?

I want to keep my rear bumper so setting up the stretch to the rear is out of the question. figure between these perches and flipping/moving the shackle hangers as far back as possible should still give me 5" - 6" of stretch.

 

[gert]

I do not see any reason that you cant use them. I would make sure before you buy that your axle dosent hit the gas tank. Looking at my spring perches I do not see you loosing any lift at all. To mee you install the new perch, put the axle on it with the correct pinion angle, use the square topped u bolts to attach everything and go. I had my hands on an old Ford set up that used the square u bolts and the put a 3/16 plate under the u bolts so they wouldnt damage the spring pack

 

[Old Dog]

That set-up looks scarry to me
Why not use something like xj springs to move the axle back.
And you will hit the gas tank, you will have to go with a fuel cell inside the jeep.

 

[justinfonder]

That set-up looks scarry to me
Why not use something like xj springs to move the axle back.
And you will hit the gas tank, you will have to go with a fuel cell inside the jeep.

it looked sketchy to me at first as well. i even emailed them and asked if they had any feedback from people about them breaking seeing how they are only welded on. they claim they have had none.

i didnt want to use the XJ springs because of all the bad reviews i've read about them being weak. i guess aftermarket XJ springs would eliminate this problem. also, i'm not sure if XJ springs would work in my application as CJ/YJ is 22.5 to center pin and XJ is 23.5 to center pin. Wouldn't I actually lose an inch of wheelbase this way? i understand people use these when they move the springs so far back that the spring hanger is in the curve of the frame so they need the extra 5 inches of spring on the other end to use the stock, or close to stock, location for the forward spring hanger.

i will be removing the gas tank. going to try to put an aftermarket fuel cell in while still keeping my back seat.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Not to sound like a D-Bag but why dont you sell your CJ5 and buy a 7? that would give you the wheel base your want with out using the shady brackets? that will give you 10" of stretch and every thing else will be the same?

Or Follow me on this one... buy a CJ7 frame, swap all your parts over to it and with the 10" of frame that sticks out past the body you can make a fancy cooler/jerry can storage are out of it?

 

[justinfonder]

i know what i have in my 5, i have a solid foundation. If i sold it and bought a 7 i feel like i'd be starting over. we all know that you never know what you're getting into when you buy a 30 year old vehicle, especially a CJ. My motor has less than 5,000 miles on it, new clutch, solid T-176 /300 combo. that and i really like the 5 over the 7. i feel its a bit more old school. if i were to go 7 then why not just use a YJ tub and by that time, why not just build a TJ as they are far superior off road to the CJ/YJ.

i love my 5, just trying to maximize its potential. plus i love the way they look with a little stretch and big wheel well cut outs (not comp cuts).

also, i would have these same issues with a 7. i wouldn't be content unless i stretched it either, so i'm in the same boat either way.

btw, i do like your jerry can/cooler idea. Was going to mount a couple 20mm ammo cans, 1 for storage, 1 as a cooler. for those weekend excursions.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

i know what i have in my 5, i have a solid foundation. If i sold it and bought a 7 i feel like i'd be starting over. we all know that you never know what you're getting into when you buy a 30 year old vehicle, especially a CJ.My motor has less than 5,000 miles on it, new clutch, solid T-176 /300 combo. that and i really like the 5 over the 7. i feel its a bit more old school. if i were to go 7 then why not just use a YJ tub and by that time, why not just build a TJ as they are far superior off road to the CJ/YJ.

i love my 5, just trying to maximize its potential. plus i love the way they look with a little stretch and big wheel well cut outs (not comp cuts).

also, i would have these same issues with a 7. i wouldn't be content unless i stretched it either, so i'm in the same boat either way. by using a 7 frame you would get alot of stretch. You can use all your parts from the 5 onto the 7 frame, you said you need a new rear drive shaft and thats the only thing you would need to change.

btw, i do like your jerry can/cooler idea. Was going to mount a couple 20mm ammo cans, 1 for storage, 1 as a cooler. for those weekend excursions.

Believe me I under stand the need to stretch a CJ.. Im waiting for school to start back up so I can get back to my project. its gonna have the wheel base stretched 18" and the body almost 36"

Good luck with it, dont forget to look into the Waggy springs. for the rear stretch.