Spring over 69 cj5 looking for thoughts and materials list
JoshGregerson
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- 69 cj5 dauntless motor stock 3 spd transmission and transfer case 44 limited slip rear
Spring over 69 cj5 looking for thoughts and materials list
- Thread starter JoshGregerson
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PistolDave
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- 1977 CJ-7 SBC 5.7 TBI, TH400, D300, D44 front, D44 rear, 4.56's Detroit / Truetrac, SOA, 35" MTR-K's,
------------86 CJ-7 258 - T5 - AMC20/D30 3.30 open f/r - Dana 300 - 2" BDS wrangler springs - 31x10.5 BFG
************* 83 CJ7 3.8L, T19 5.1:1, D300, D30/AMC20, 4.11's, Chevy TBI, OX lockers, OME 2.5" lift YJ springs, 33x10.50/15 KM3's, Lots of rust and zip ties.
Well,
Since no one else has replied, I'll throw out my 2 cents. I have a 76 CJ7 that I did a spring over conversion to. With standard height YJ springs (no lift), I still ended up with a pretty extreme rear driveline angle and had to switch to a CV style drive shaft. This problem would be worse on the considerably shorter wheelbase CJ5 . 5" - 5.5" minimum lift is a lot for a CJ5 . It is also taller than I would like which makes it a liability in some situations off road, like traversing steep off camber hills and whatnot. On the plus side, it does ride really nice and articulates extremely well. I am running wider that stock axles also, 56" rear WMS and 58" front. Front axle was a Chevy Dana 44 that was already set up for spring over, which is a lot easier and much better than trying to cobble a stock CJ SUA axle into SOA configuration. If you want it done right, expect to completely re-engineer your steering linkage and shock mounting scheme also. I would absolutely steer clear of the spring over junk (imo) offered by rocky road. Also, don't know if this is consideration for you, but I found the stock brakes to be awfully marginal for 35/12.50-15's and so I also upgraded to rear disc's and Hydro-boost master cylinder which fixed the weak brakes problem. I think I am starting to ramble here, so...
I guess it boils down to what your goals are for going SOA in the first place? Done right it is neither cheap nor easy, contrary to interweb opinion.
Dave
Since no one else has replied, I'll throw out my 2 cents. I have a 76 CJ7 that I did a spring over conversion to. With standard height YJ springs (no lift), I still ended up with a pretty extreme rear driveline angle and had to switch to a CV style drive shaft. This problem would be worse on the considerably shorter wheelbase CJ5 . 5" - 5.5" minimum lift is a lot for a CJ5 . It is also taller than I would like which makes it a liability in some situations off road, like traversing steep off camber hills and whatnot. On the plus side, it does ride really nice and articulates extremely well. I am running wider that stock axles also, 56" rear WMS and 58" front. Front axle was a Chevy Dana 44 that was already set up for spring over, which is a lot easier and much better than trying to cobble a stock CJ SUA axle into SOA configuration. If you want it done right, expect to completely re-engineer your steering linkage and shock mounting scheme also. I would absolutely steer clear of the spring over junk (imo) offered by rocky road. Also, don't know if this is consideration for you, but I found the stock brakes to be awfully marginal for 35/12.50-15's and so I also upgraded to rear disc's and Hydro-boost master cylinder which fixed the weak brakes problem. I think I am starting to ramble here, so...
I guess it boils down to what your goals are for going SOA in the first place? Done right it is neither cheap nor easy, contrary to interweb opinion.
Dave
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- '76 CJ5, 351w, Ford T18/D20, D44 (open), D30 (open), 2.5" BDS spring lift, 31x10.5x15 tires
You're probably going to get more opinions than you want on this one.
I don't have SOA on my CJ5 . I have a 2.5" SUA BDS spring lift on 31" tires and I feel like I have plenty of clearance...and the ride and height feel perfect. I think I'd be a bit too tall if everything was 3" higher.
I looked into it when I started researching lifts, but I don't think I'd like being that high. The articulation would be awesome, but not worth it for what I use my rig for.
coldair
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JeeperChris
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- '79 CJ5, 258 I6, T150 w/Dana20, Dana30 front and AMC20 rear. My first Jeep! I'm looking forward to doing some minor upgrades and restoration while enjoying the ride.
Have you checked out Rocky-Road? If nothing else they might be good for a parts list and some 'food-for-thought'.