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Got the family M38A1 back. Front 2-leaf boingers chatter, hop, skip, bump.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by DavidWymore, Jul 1, 2011.

  1. Jul 1, 2011
    DavidWymore

    DavidWymore Member

    El Centro, CA
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    [​IMG]

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    What's the story on these 2-leaf springs? I learned to drive in this Jeep years ago, but never wheeled it much. I aired it down to 15 (not really low, I know) today and messed around on the dirthill out back. The front behaves badly. My stock CJ-6 doesn't do all this hop 'n skip nonsense.
     
  2. Jul 1, 2011
    EricM

    EricM Active Member

    Southern California
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    The M38A1 has a shackle reversal, the CJ6 does not. I wonder if that is the difference.
     
  3. Jul 1, 2011
    DavidWymore

    DavidWymore Member

    El Centro, CA
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    Good point, maybe. Think they're actually stock that way. Didn't catch it, haven't messed with heeps in way too long!
     
  4. Jul 1, 2011
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    solid looking rig none the less David
     
  5. Jul 1, 2011
    DavidWymore

    DavidWymore Member

    El Centro, CA
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    Oh, yeah, she's in good shape. Needs a front wheel cylinder and a brake pressure switch, that's about it. Need to try to come up with some more room for the driver (me) though. 6' tall is a bit tight.

    6 is either going up for sale or getting a big beefy frame and cage built and getting the locked one ton V8 drivetrain and 38"s or maybe the 44"s out of my blazer...hmm...maybe set aside the M38 4popper, keep it for original and drop the 6's V6 in it...
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2011
  6. Jul 1, 2011
    technologyteacher

    technologyteacher Member

    Elkin NC
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    Looks to be in good shape! I like the hood stripes
     
  7. Jul 1, 2011
    DavidWymore

    DavidWymore Member

    El Centro, CA
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    That's original oldschool paint, probably from the 60's. I'm going to see about getting it repainted the same way.
     
  8. Jul 1, 2011
    EricM

    EricM Active Member

    Southern California
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    I'd leave it just the way it is. It looks great!
     
  9. Jul 1, 2011
    technologyteacher

    technologyteacher Member

    Elkin NC
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    Were the two sets of hood hold downs something added?
     
  10. Jul 1, 2011
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Those are not original M38A1 springs, I'm sure you know. Stock pack was about 10 leaves.

    And where are the battery box and slave receptacle? Definitely M38A1 though.
     
  11. Jul 1, 2011
    DavidWymore

    DavidWymore Member

    El Centro, CA
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    Eric, the pictures make it look better than it is. We'll see.

    Techno, I don't know, that'd be something my gpa would do though.

    Pete, yeah I imagine they're some stiff old Ranchos or something. I think the two thick leaves don't have enough overall thickness and promote spring wrap.

    Batt box and slave recep were shaved way back when.
     
  12. Jul 2, 2011
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    The tub has been replaced at some time or another, hasn't it?
     
  13. Jul 2, 2011
    DavidWymore

    DavidWymore Member

    El Centro, CA
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    I very seriously doubt it. Why?
     
  14. Jul 2, 2011
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    Because the battery box is missing from the cowling and the apu indentation is missing from the passenger side between the door and the front wheel well.
     
  15. Jul 2, 2011
    DavidWymore

    DavidWymore Member

    El Centro, CA
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    They were shaved (welded over and smoothed off) many years ago.
     
  16. Jul 3, 2011
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    I don't think they are Rancho springs. I have the old Rancho springs. They were really stiff. So I took the second to top leaf out. It made a better ride. That bottom leaf you have there looks like the one I took out.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Jul 3, 2011
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    yea they probrobly took out most of the leaves to make it a softer ride
     
  18. Dec 12, 2013
    DavidWymore

    DavidWymore Member

    El Centro, CA
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    Hey guys, I'm back. The tires pictured came apart from age/rot. We also got the Jeep painted - but no pics until we get the next step completed. :-D

    I want to put some Hercules HDTs on it, pretty sure the Jeep is geared 5.38, so I'd like to do 7.50-16s, as long as they fit....????

    http://www.herculestire.com/tire-gallery/commercial/specialty/hdt/

    The current wheels are too wide, was going to order some 6" wide steelies from Summit. 3.625" backspacking, can anyone comment on how that backspacing should work? A little spring rub isn't a big deal.

    Thank You
     
  19. Dec 12, 2013
    CJ51962

    CJ51962 Member

    Seattle
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    Those HDTs look great. They've got somewhat of an old and narrow look. Cost?
     
  20. Dec 12, 2013
    DavidWymore

    DavidWymore Member

    El Centro, CA
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