A question for '70 CJ5 owners

What size are your u-bolts that hold on your springs? 7/16" or 1/2"? Mine were 1/2", but the replacement spring plates I got from a vendor (the part is an omix-ada) are 7/16". Supposed to fit all 5's up to '71. I can drill them out, but it is frustrating. The new u-bolts that came with the BDS kit are 1/2" also.

 

Not sure I understand that. Did you typo and mean they were 7/16" and new ones shipped were 1/2"?

My '70 were 7/16" and the '71 I had a while back was also 7/16".

 

My 1970 CJ6 has 7/16" u bolts all around, the lift kit came with 1/2".
Could have drilled out spring plate but it would not leave any material in the out side of plate.
Had new 7/16" bent for me.
Andrew

 

hey, I'm a government employee, I'm supposed to be confusing!

old spring plates and u-bolts on my '70: 1/2"

new bolts on BDS lift kit: 1/2"

new omix-ada spring plates: 7/16"

the new spring plates have holes that are too small. I just talked to the vendor and he informed me that the plates only come with the smaller sized holes. Oh well, I guess that is what a drill motor is for....

 

I may just drive down to NAPA and get some 7/16 u-bolts for the back.

 

The originals were 7/16" if you had 1/2" someone changed them.

 

maybe so, but Krage's website lists the following:

U-Bolt: 3-3/8"W (2-3/4"ID) x 8-3/8"L x 1/2" thread, 70-75 CJ Rear, w/ Nuts & Washers

Part#: 999210 (18204.08)

Model: CJ

Year: 70-75, 86 CJ7 w/Dana 44 Rear Axle

 

Jake, (no offense) to me that page on Krages website means nothing. I haven't seen a lift kit yet for an early cj that had the right u-bolts in the kit. If you order new spring mounts from Krage I bet the 1/2" bolts won't fit them without 1st drilling them out.

 

that is right. my BDS kit has 1/2" u-bolts. My new spring plates from Krage (now sitting on my work bench) are 7/16". I am going to have to drill out or get some 7/16" bolts. I like the 1/2".

before I got the new lift kit and spring plates, my 70 had 1/2" ubolts and plates. Since the front were NOT CJ springs, I am going to suppose they may not be original. The rears certainly looked like they had been there since 1970. No real matter, I guess, just a puzzler. When a replacement part spans a broad range, like the spring plates, I guess that you sometimes have hiccups.

 

If someone sells something wrong, make sure you gripe about it!

 

wasn't really wrong, just JEEP pulled a change on some of the later ECJ5's, Omix makes one spring plate for the ECJ5. Krage knew about it, when I called back. Mostly my fault because I didn't tell him I had a late model ECJ5...

 

I redrilled mine when I swapped in the lifted springs. would rather have the bigger ones since they are stronger.

 

I agree. I looked at drilling out my new ones and decided to redo my old ones and just find a used replacement for the broken one. The new ones looked a bit small to start drilling holes in.

 

My black diamond kit didn't come with the right bolts for the front. They were custom made and then I had to take the grinder and cut an inch off them.