Xj springs

[Tinman22]

Any thoughts on xj springs on the front only on a CJ7 nevermind the pitman arm issues.

 

[BIGTRUCKNUT]

Thought about this too with my future Scrambler build. I'm going with full width axles and most likely a shackle reversal in the front - the stock, long, light spring rate XJ springs all around have the potential to give a nice ride and better articulation than CJ, or even YJ, spring sets.

Disregarding the overall length difference between CJ and XJ springs, any experience or thoughts on the use of XJ springs on a CJ?

 

[Tinman22]

Goin the same route I guess . I found some xj springs rated at 745 lbs per spring the same rate as the yj springs I'm running now. But the yjs have seen better days and the xjs are new . I keep seeing claims of 5 inches of wheel base gained but just don't see it . Cj spring are front eye too spring pin 22 and 1/16 , yjs are 22 and 11/16 eye too pin and xjs are eye too pin 23 on the short side and 28 and 5/8 on the long side. So what am I missing ?

 

[BIGTRUCKNUT]

Goin the same route I guess . I found some xj springs rated at 745 lbs per spring the same rate as the yj springs I'm running now. But the yjs have seen better days and the xjs are new . I keep seeing claims of 5 inches of wheel base gained but just don't see it . Cj spring are front eye too spring pin 22 and 1/16 , yjs are 22 and 11/16 eye too pin and xjs are eye too pin 23 on the short side and 28 and 5/8 on the long side. So what am I missing ?

I don't see a WB increase either unless you turned the rear XJ spring around with the long side mounted into the stock rear fixed spring location, and the short side mounted to the shackle. In that case, on a CJ5 or CJ7 , you'd have to extend the rear frame rails a little to compensate for the longer spring and relocated shackle mount. I won't have to worry about that on the CJ8 since there is enough room for a longer spring without lengthening the frame rails.

I was just out looking at my daughter's XJ with 3" lift rear springs - the spring is almost flat and the pack thickness is about 1 3/4". Almost perfect for keeping the front of a CJ low(er) with an SOA, shackle reversal, and full width axles.

I just picked up a Dodge D60/D70 set to rebuild and use in the Scrambler, continuing to collect up parts and plan to order a new TDK frame in January.

 

[Tinman22]

I'm running 5 leaf rears on the front and 4 leaf fronts on the rear both rated at 745 lbs running rears on the front trying to spread the weight over more leaves to prevent sagging seems to be working so far.

 

[BIGTRUCKNUT]

How was that 440 going in? I've seen big block chevys in CJs and I have a 7.3L diesel motor lying around. I'm thinking that the diesel will be just too heavy in the front of a jeep. I will probably just do a budget rebuild on the AMC 304 that I have here also.

 

[Tinman22]

It really was the easiest swap I've ever done . The key piece is a waggy 727 output shaft .i took a 78" 440 and 727 from a motorhome took the tranny apart put the waggy shaft in with new clutches and bands put it all back together with rings bearings and seals in the motor bolted it to the Dana 300 moved he motor mounts 3" forward and 2" up. Transfer Case bolted back into the stock holes used a set of 1978 ramcharger headers and a Chevy conversion radiator . Power steering and alternator bolted back up and if I had left the rest of the driveline alone the drive shafts would have bolted back up as the Transfer Case didn't move. The body clears the valve covers by 3/4 on the pass and 1.5 on the drivers side headers cleared everything except some of the brakelines and dual exhaust cleared the cross member no problem . Really kinda easy