Was sway bars optional?
Was sway bars optional?
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jp360cj
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Sway bar definitely not standard in 74. I don't know if they were optional or not. My '77 CJ7 never had a sway bar.
Here's a link to the 74 Factory service manual http://oljeep.com/edge_74_tsm.html
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Here's a link to the 74 Factory service manual http://oljeep.com/edge_74_tsm.html
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HackFabrication
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Front anti-sway bars made their debut in 1977 with the CJ7 . They were standard on the hardtop model and optional otherwise.
I added the ADDCO unit to the front of my 76 CJ5 using the Jeep frame mounts from a CJ7 . I don't know how much it helps as I don't 'thrash' my CJ5 around a road course. Probably not necessary on a lightweight CJ5 .
As far as a steering stabilizer goes, I had one, but never installed it. Sold it to a Toyota guy. My CJ5 (with a Ford 5.0L engine) handles pretty good for a solid axle, leaf sprung (2.5" BDS lift), short wheelbase vehicle. Not a Corvette, but it's safe around town and on the interstate.
I added the ADDCO unit to the front of my 76 CJ5 using the Jeep frame mounts from a CJ7 . I don't know how much it helps as I don't 'thrash' my CJ5 around a road course. Probably not necessary on a lightweight CJ5 .
As far as a steering stabilizer goes, I had one, but never installed it. Sold it to a Toyota guy. My CJ5 (with a Ford 5.0L engine) handles pretty good for a solid axle, leaf sprung (2.5" BDS lift), short wheelbase vehicle. Not a Corvette, but it's safe around town and on the interstate.
jp360cj
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A sway bar only controls body roll.
I bought it with a 4" Superlift and 33s installed. Body roll was minimal with the lift springs. I also have 2 friends with 80s models CJs that came with a sway bar who have driven with and without it and neither noticed any difference. One is on a 4" lift and the other on a 2.5". Now that I'm SOA on stock springs, I do have a little body roll, but it's not terrible. I rarely drive over 55-60 mph and just slow down when needed for curves.
The steering stabilizer only dampens feedback to the steering wheel.
Are you having a particular issue you are trying to solve?
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hole
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I never thought it made that big a difference up until our last desert trip. On the trip prior I managed to lose one of my disconnect extensions and thought "oh well, a sway bar is not really necessary on a CJ". I was rudely corrected because she was a handful on the highway when loaded down with a weeks worth of gear. Empty I cant say I noticed the difference and it's how I wrongly came to the conclusion it isnt necessary.
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I haven't driven it yet. Actually I haven't even heard it run yet either. I was just surprised and a little concerned that I didn't see anything when I peaked under there. I didn't know if a previous owner took it out or it just didn't come with sway bars and a stabilizer. The roads up here where I live aren't the best and there are a lot of twists and turns, plus there will be 3 bigger people in it plus gear which makes me wonder.
If I wanted to put sway bars and a stabilizer on it what would it take (addco kit, factory brackets off of something else, etc...)? I'm not saying I'm going to put them on, I just want an option just in case. As a reference the jeeps getting a procomp 2.5" lift and 31x10.5 tires.
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Correction: The CJ7 was introduced in 1976. Rest of info is correct to the best of my knowledge.
HackFabrication
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Find a junked CJ7 and cannibalize the front swaybar assembly (including frame mounts). It will bolt to your existing frame with little modifications, if any.
As far as the stabilizer, if you've got power steering, it's sort of a waste IMHO. Just something else to get hit on the trail.
Remember, if you lift the CJ, you are moving the center of gravity UP. Even a CJ7 is a relatively short wheelbase vehicle. And it's all leaf sprung, solid axles. You are never going to get 'stick to the road' performance out of it, when compared to either newer Jeeps, or other vehicles. Running only 31" tires, you probably can get by with the OEM springs, unless you really articulate the suspension to it's extremes. Lifting a vehicle, can bring a whole lot of other considerations to the build.
As I posted earlier, my 76 CJ5 with 2.5" BDS lift and 32x11.00-15 TSL/SX tires handles surprising well.
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Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. This jeep doesn't have power steering. I was going to run stock springs but it was actually a little cheaper for me to buy the lift kit. I just want an option to cut some body roll if I have to, especially with weight in it or if my wife drives it. I swear she was a race car driver in a former life. We've already told her that this isn't going to handle like a modern car, but you know the boy scout motto.... Do you also have a rear sway bar or just the front? Do you also have any pics of what the lower front way bar mount looks like? Isn't the 74 CJ5 narrower or shorter or something than the 76 cut or the CJ7 's?Find a junked CJ7 and cannibalize the front swaybar assembly (including frame mounts). It will bolt to your existing frame with little modifications, if any.
As far as the stabilizer, if you've got power steering, it's sort of a waste IMHO. Just something else to get hit on the trail.
Remember, if you lift the CJ, you are moving the center of gravity UP. Even a CJ7 is a relatively short wheelbase vehicle. And it's all leaf sprung, solid axles. You are never going to get 'stick to the road' performance out of it, when compared to either newer Jeeps, or other vehicles. Running only 31" tires, you probably can get by with the OEM springs, unless you really articulate the suspension to it's extremes. Lifting a vehicle, can bring a whole lot of other considerations to the build.
As I posted earlier, my 76 CJ5 with 2.5" BDS lift and 32x11.00-15 TSL/SX tires handles surprising well.
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It'll connect to the front of the plate that holds your spring on the axle. Chances are, you'll need to get a new plate if your CJ didn't come with a sway bar from the factory. It'll only have 1 mounting location for your shocks on the rear of the plate. If you buy a kit, make sure it comes with the spring mounting plate, or you'll have to source one yourself.
FWIW, I took the CJ out driving last night because the weather was awesome, and I had this thread on my mind. I took it through some twisty back roads a lot faster than anyone should drive, and I didn't notice any body roll.
I have 2.5" BDS springs and 31x10.5" tires with no anti-sway bar. You're not going to get anything out of it other than "peace of mind."
Oh, I can see that now. No, it doesn't have any plates mounted to the spring mounts. I would need the frame mounts and the spring mounts. And your probably right, it would probably be a "peace of mind" thing.
How does that 2.5" lift do with your AMC 304 ? After calling some companies they said their lift kits couldn't handle the AMC 304 , but after talking with some of the guys from 4wd who have the procomp lift and the AMC 304 I settled for that one.
jp360cj
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No CJs came with rear sway bars. You would have to modify or go aftermarket for that.
The front spring with a sway bar from a newer CJ won't work on your 74 if you used a lift kit for a 74 (the springs are narrower than 76+ CJs). As far as the CJ5 itself, the '74 is the same size as a 76+ CJ5 , but ~10" shorter than a CJ7 . The front part of the frame is the same (at least the same dimensions) from 72-86.
The front spring with a sway bar from a newer CJ won't work on your 74 if you used a lift kit for a 74 (the springs are narrower than 76+ CJs). As far as the CJ5 itself, the '74 is the same size as a 76+ CJ5 , but ~10" shorter than a CJ7 . The front part of the frame is the same (at least the same dimensions) from 72-86.
jp360cj
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To mount it like the factory 76+ sway bars, you'll need a spring u bolt plate with 2 shock type mounts; 1 on the back for the shock and 1 on the front for the sway bar and it needs to be for your width leaf springs (I think they're 1.75" wide, but you can measure to verify. The u bolt plates are just steel, so you could just weld a mount to the front.
HackFabrication
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I forgot you have a 74, and the frame is different than the 76-86 CJ's, so the OEM front sway bar mounts most likely will not 'bolt on'. Aftermarket would be the way to go. The swaybar links connect to the u-bolt plate under the axle (also where the shocks connect). There are two studs on the plate for shocks/swaybar links. I have quick disconnect links on mine. But for what I presently use my CJ for, they will most likely never get disconnected.
I didn't bother to install a rear sway bar, although I briefly considered it. And as I posted, my CJ5 with a Ford Racing 5.0L EFI engine (rated at 345hp before it was chipped) in the bay, handles just fine for a short wheelbase, solid axle, narrow track, and leaf sprung (plus lifted) vehicle. I don't go diving into corners, I avoid quick lane changes, and I respect the 70's engineering for what it is.
Honestly, and to save some $$$, I'd just put your CJ together and drive it first. See how it handles.
Ya gotta slow down when piloting a CJ. A drum braked (and I assume non-power boosted) 74' CJ5 is going to be a handful to stop in a panic situation. Bolt on some oversize tires and things get really interesting. My CJ has a hydroboost braking system, disc fronts/11" drum rears. It will flat out slam me into the windshield hauling down 32" tires in a panic stop scenario. Anti lock brakes are the old fashion human actuated type. Although I've made a couple of high speed 'maneuvers' to avoid idiots out there, it's not something I want to repeat on a regular basis.
Oh, did I mention (but you probably already know this) there aren't a lot of safety feature built into the interior of any CJ? Best you could hope for is a padded dash. Your 74 has only lap belts. A rollover isn't going to be pretty.
Good luck and stay safe.
Thanks for the input guys, very good advice. I'll put it together first and see what it does. And your right, no booster, just a master cylinder, and very little safety features, just lap belts. It doesn't even have a padded dash. I was thinking about seeing if a CJ7 roll bar or something would bolt in so I could at least use a shoulder belt style of seatbelts but I haven't gotten that far yet. Disc brake conversion is something I'm thinking about for a future upgrade though. And as far as aftermarket sway bar kits go I'm not sure if they come with the frame and spring mount brackets. I didn't see them in the pics.
I know it's off topic, but how hard was it to put that ford 5.0 into your jeep? I've been thinking of a plan "B" in case this AMC 304 I have wont fire for whatever reason.
I know it's off topic, but how hard was it to put that ford 5.0 into your jeep? I've been thinking of a plan "B" in case this AMC 304 I have wont fire for whatever reason.