[980]

I am currently swapping a dana 44 into the front of my CJ SUA, in place of the stock dana 30. Today I began mounting up springs, and noticed that the U bolts are not the same for the dana 30 and 44. So I cant continue tonight. If the ubolts are a different sixe then the plate that goes under the spring (SUA) is going to be the wrong size. So then i thought I could use the waggy plates, but waggy has 3" springs so they wont fit my 2.5" springs.

So my question is I seems like this would be an approprite time to step up to 3" front springs, but I dont have any 3" leaf springs with the correct lift to match my rear springs. So could I use stock waggy or YJ leafs SOA in the front and leave the rear SUA( for now to keep this simple). Would this work SOA front SUA rear? What about steering, I cant afford flat top knuckles and a high steer setup. Can a SOA be done just using a drop pitman arm and adjusting the drag link?

I guess I could just get new ubolts and make new plates, but it would be cool to go to 3" wide springs and maybe soa.

Thanks any advise is appreciated.

Tony

 

[1184]

You could just drill out the old plate. I've done it on a Scout Dana 44 and it only took a slightly larger hole to make it work. Plenty of metal left so I was confident safety was not a factor.

 

[BMB]

I think you mean 2.5" springs for the Waggy and 2" for the CJ fronts. Other than that I want to see some pics when you finish, as I'm starting on mine next month and doing the same (SUA 44F).

I sent you a PM too with some info.

BMB

 

[1675]

I don't know if I'm getting this all correct but,
I have an 86 with a 44 stock rear, you could try and find the plates off of one of those to use on the front. Also the Waggy's were SUA front and SOA rear to begin with (at least the one's that I've been looking at were set up this way), so depending on how much you lift is I'm guessing that you might be able to get away with that. BUT I'm no expert, so take that for what it's worth.
I know from some of the reading I've been doing on the POR BBS, they have been using the rear Waggy springs on all 4 conrers.
This might help with the pitman question, or maybe not waggy pitman.
Hope this helps, I'm going to look at a waggy front today, probably get it for $100. So I'll be starting mine soon.

 

[980]

If I run waggy springs SOA up front without doing a high steer setup, what will the neg effects be?( besides having the tie rod hanging out in the way of big rocks. Will I lose turning radius? Will the steering bind up or have any other issues? Bump steer?

Are their any problems with using rear CJ lift springs up front? So I could get wider springs up front and use waggy ubolt plates. I assume the spring length is about the same? It wont mater to much as I am outboarding at the same time. What about axle placement on the spring, is it the same?

thanks
Tony

 

[jeepsr4ever]

under the proper torque you can use your original leafs with waggie plates. a small gap on wither side will occur its no biggie and the ubolts never hold side pressure. MAKE SURE YOU BOLTS ARE TIGHTEND THOUGH

 

[980]

thanks, I am trying to get some 2.5" springs, if not I will do that.

tony