Springs and what fits what

justjeepsters · #1 06-03-2006, 08:09 AM

I have a 69 I am restoring. It has the rear mono-leafs. I have a set of multi-leafs from a 73 model. Will they fit?
Also, I would like to replace the front 1-1/2 width spring with a wider spring 2.00 inch (I think) from a 71 commando. Any help appreciated.

GRQster · #2 06-03-2006, 11:10 AM

Rears will bolt right up except that you will need longer ubolts
On the front you can spread the rear hangars enough for the 2" springs to fit. You will have to get some spring plates for the 2" springs to bolt to your front axle, just stock Bullnose or CJ should work. The shackles from the '71 may work but if not, I have some HD shackles that I modified for 2" springs for mine but ended up having to get longer ones with my new suspension. You can have them, just send me the address where you want me to ship them.

GRQster · #3 06-03-2006, 12:23 PM

Just checked a '71 that I have and the front shackles will not work, the frame mounts are different size than the earlier ones. I'll send you these if you want.

Jeepster Jim · #4 06-03-2006, 11:46 PM

Mark

RQ is correct, the '72-'73 rear springs will work fine. Regarding the frt. springs, you might think about replacing them with 2 1/2" ones from a wrangler or a toy or Dakota PU. They say it realy helps out in the road maners dept. I'm going to 2 1/2 ones this winter.

Walkenvol · #5 06-04-2006, 10:08 AM

Keep me straight here, but aren't the wrangler springs 2" longer from the center pin to the front? Wouldn't you have to extend the frame 2" which would make a gap between the dust shield and the grill? I've been interested in using these but I haven't fould a solution to maintain the stock dust shield and bumper which I would like to keep.

Walkenvol · #6 06-07-2006, 01:14 PM

How about it Wrangler spring users, how did you deal with the extra 2" to the front of the center pin?

Caver Dave · #7 06-07-2006, 02:12 PM

Tim,

From prior research on swapping in Wrangler "YJ" leafs... it's not so much a matter of a couple inch difference in the enter pin location, but that the both the rear hanger & shackle mount has to move forward considerably... IIRC, about 5"-5.25" which may create issues! Namely do you have 5" extra frame to extend the shackle mounts onto?

That's why I went with Lee's Toy rear leaf "drop in" method up front! Despite my calculations, the WB is now at 105" [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] (but it *may* have been that way before I started [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] )

PostalJeepster · #8 06-07-2006, 06:23 PM

The same reasons I went with Toy rear springs in the frt also, really close fit and it has the wider spring and the springs rode better and flexed great. Yah you need to fab the mounts but if you change anything you still need to fab. Aaron

Walkenvol · #9 06-09-2006, 08:52 AM

Thanks for the info guys as I must have read the past posts wrong. Dave,I'll follow your Toy swap writeup when published then.

Caver Dave · #10 06-09-2006, 09:02 AM

Well, had it loaded up for a run to URE this weekend, but had to leave her in the garage... seems Lee was correct! I *WILL* have to lengthen the shackles, move the shackles hangers, move the back hanger point aft, or a combo of all 3! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

When I took her out to put it on the trailer, both leafs flattened to the point that the shackles inverted (up against the frame) and "locked" themselves there... the leafs were in a bind (evidenced by they're "squiggly" shape).

Initially, I'm thinking about plating the rear hangers to allow the whole thing to move rearward. This will let me keep the shackle hangers (both are welded on by the PO [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] ), let me move the axle back to the original location (ended up at 105" WB), and be the quickest/more simple change to make... will let you know how it goes!