YJ Springs

[Niedhogg]

I've noticed a small problem with my CJ7 build, The front springs are wider than the rear, and I believe they are for a YJ. They are 4" Superlift springs font and rear that were installed by the PO. The PO also installed new shackles at the front and rear, and apparently mis ordered the front ones, they have the center brace between the two verticals and they've been cut to fit the wider springs, but this is still not the problem... I figured I would weld some new braces into the shackles, but I got to looking at my frame where they mount to, and they are the narrow shackle mounts and the bushings are hanging half out of the shackes because of it. Do you guys think I could add a couple steel bushings to them, or would it be better to find the wider shackle perches??

 

[brian613]

I put yj springs on my CJ5 and what I did was I ordered and used the shackle hangers that go on the rear on the front. Yj springs are the same size all the way around and just happen to be the same size as the rear springs on a CJ Just buy the rear hangers and put them in place of the ones on the front and all is good.

 

[CJim7]

The front springs are wider then the rear?
CJ rear springs are the same width as YJ springs (front and rears). It sounds to me like the PO installed a typical CJ4 " Superlift kit...but got the springs on the wrong ends. IE, he put the front springs at the rear...that is the only way they would be narrower.

 

[AussieCJ7]

For all later CJ's Front CJ springs are 2.0" width and Rear CJ Springs are 2.5" wide

YJ springs are 2.5" wide front and rear. To run them in a CJ only the front shackle hanger needs to be changed or run the conversion shackles from rubicon express

 

[BajaEdition]

Converting over to YJ springs is a very common thing
Not hard to do at all

 

[Niedhogg]

Converting over to YJ springs is a very common thing
Not hard to do at all

I wouldn't think so, but the PO screwed it up somehow...

 

[Niedhogg]

The front springs are wider then the rear?
CJ rear springs are the same width as YJ springs (front and rears). It sounds to me like the PO installed a typical CJ4 " Superlift kit...but got the springs on the wrong ends. IE, he put the front springs at the rear...that is the only way they would be narrower.

Well, this is exactly what the PO did , he must have assumed the wider springs would need to be in front to support the extra engine wieght?? Who knows, but this will cost me a day and I will probably fix it when I get back home to my shop in Iowa, next month...

So here are a few pics of the idiocy...
These first two pics are of each front spring, looking back. PO must of had to spread the rear perches to even get these in..


These next two are of the rear springs, looking forward..


And this last pic is of the extra fat bushings that should go in the front spring perches, I think, as they are pretty narrow. The rear shackles are 3" wide and the front shackles were 2-1/2" before they were cut, and these souould be swapped front to rear when I change this all around..

Pretty sweet, right???

 

[Old Dog]

All I can say is Wow, the PO sure messed that one up.

 

[Sasquach]

Mind boggling .
Is it being driven this way?

 

[Niedhogg]

Mind boggling .
Is it being driven this way?

Noooo... I'm still putting it together, lol. I get one step forward with this project, then have to take two steps back...

I'm moving forward with it for now, and as I said earlier, I won't be dealing with this till I get home in December, unless I have time to get to it before I leave.

Why are the rear springs bigger than the front anyway, it seems like that would be backwards... just wondering.

 

[CJ]

~~~ Why are the rear springs bigger than the front anyway, it seems like that would be backwards... just wondering.

Load hauling, trailer, tongue weight?

 

[CJim7]

Load hauling, trailer, tongue weight?

Plus a full gas tank, hardtop...it's a lot of weight

 

[Niedhogg]

Load hauling, trailer, tongue weight?

Oh ya.. duh...

Well, thanks guys for all your help, (and making me feel dumb, lol), I'll get them swapped around soon enough, I may still take it for a spin like it is.. I hate to think I've put all this time and effort into this project and not be able to drive it at least around the field here..:drool:

 

[73CJ]

76- CJ rear are 42" x 2.5"
76 -CJ front are 42.5" x 2"

YJ rear are 42" x 2.5"
YJ fronts are 42.5 x 2.5"

 

[CJim7]

Oh ya.. duh...

Well, thanks guys for all your help, (and making me feel dumb, lol), I'll get them swapped around soon enough, I may still take it for a spin like it is.. I hate to think I've put all this time and effort into this project and not be able to drive it at least around the field here..:drool:

Be careful. It looks like there is a lot of sheer load on the rear spring bolts that go through the hangers...

 

[73CJ]

The YJ has a weight distribution of 51/49 with a 6 cylinder.

Shear stress will be comparable, front &rear. Impact loads will be way more than static loads.

Never heard of anyone shearing spring bolts. When worn, maybe.

 

[CJ]

~~~ and making me feel dumb, lol ~~~

I know you meant that as a joke but, for anyone else reading... We never intend that...

 

[CJim7]

The YJ has a weight distribution of 51/49 with a 6 cylinder.

Shear stress will be comparable, front &rear. Impact loads will be way more than static loads.

Never heard of anyone shearing spring bolts. When worn, maybe.

yes...but a 2" springpack doesnt belong in the rear either. There is a lot of room between the eyes and the hangers.

I can tell by looking at that Frankenstein'd settup there is no bushing to buffer impact....there's space between the hanger and eye, a LOT of space. That rear axle could actually move back and forth on that set up.

The front hangers take up that space with a sleave and a larger...much larger...bushing

Edit: THIS is a problem. And a potential breakdown ready to happen.

 

[73CJ]

76- CJ rear are 42" x 2.5"
76 -CJ front are 42.5" x 2"

YJ rear are 42" x 2.5"
YJ fronts are 42.5 x 2.5"

That's the real issue. Spring lengths are are different too. Could make things interesting j

 

[Niedhogg]

76- CJ rear are 42" x 2.5"
76 -CJ front are 42.5" x 2"

YJ rear are 42" x 2.5"
YJ fronts are 42.5 x 2.5"

Thanks for this 73CJ, Looks like I have a regular CJ, 4" Superlift on my Jeep, PO just installed them wrong.. I honestly don't understand how he did this, but he did. I'll get them swapped around soon. And I hear you on the lengths, definately looks messed up..