quesion for guys with YJ leafs on their ecj5's

Im gathering up parts to put YJ springs on my cj, but i think i ran into a problem, i have a rear gastank from a 71 in my jeep. The stock leaf pack sits pretty close to the tank, im pretty sure it would run into the skid plate. what have you guys done? shave down the skid plate?? i dont want to go outboard and have to re weld the perches further over.


also im going to do a shackle reversal in the front, what degree shims do you think i would need? where can i buy them at?

 

My gas tank is very close to the shackles. I have just enough clearance to fit the head of the bolt. If I put the shackles in with the nuts to the inside the nuts will hit the tank. I have to assemble my shackles to the shackle mount then assemble the shackle mount to the frame.

I am not a fan of the shackle reversal. The shims required will depend entirely on how you mount the springs. If mounted correctly you won't need any shims at all. To do this mount the front of the spring with a little longer mount and then use a piece of tube through the frame in the rear to locate the shackle as high up in the frame as you can and still have unrestricted movement. I realize this is over simplifying this a lot, but there are a lot of variables that will determine your configuration.

 

When I installed the rear spring mount by the gas tank, I installed it backwards, so that the eye is towards the rear. That did some things good and bad. Good- less gas tank interference, longer wheelbase. Bad- rear tire doesn't sit in the center of the wheelwell, rear pumpkin is now close to hitting gas tank. (The SOA took care of the differential / gas tank problem. I had to cut out sheet metal for my tires to clear.). Probably not the answer you were looking for, but I am going for ability, not originality.
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I did not do a shackle reversal. I did not think it was worth the trouble. That coming from a person who changed nearly everything else possible on the Jeep.

 

I'm running a body lift and sucked the tank upward to utilize the vacant few inches that would have been above the tank. In doing so, this left only the right rear top shackle bolt with an issue regarding the fuel tank.

I was trying to think ahead and wanted to be able to replace the spring hanger bushing without having to drop the tank since the hanger was to be welded to the frame. So, I installed the hanger bolt such that the nut is on the tank side. I used a ball-peen hammer on the tank to make room for the shackle nut and all worked out.

I did not care to go with the shackle reversal.

 

I forgot, I raised my tank also. I made my floor out of aluminum diamond plate. It is removable, and my tank now drops in from the top. Much easier to work on.

 

i want a nicer ride on the street, thats why im converting to yj springs. I want to do shackle reversal because i heard it makes the ride nicer and that the steering will feel tighter because their wont be that flex in the front shackles. i probably could solve that problem with a track bar but shackle reversal seemed easier

 

I would skip the shackle reversal if that is what your looking for. I would use conservative length shackles and lift springs dependant on the height your looking for. I wouldn't bother with the track bar either. Not needed. Use high quality leafs and do it one time and be done with it. There are some things I did different than what the tech section directions recommended. Most of it had to do with front axle placement. I used BDS 3.5" lift springs. I clear 35" Pro Comp mud terrains without issue. I have said before, this is by far the best riding jeep I have ever driven. Been driving jeeps for over 25 years....

 

Thought I should add, mine is an intermediate, not an early. I would certainly expect that it would be very similar.

 

alright maby ill hold off on the reversal, im picking up the springs today, where did you buy your hangers and shackle mounts from? Im gunna use stick height YJ springs, i want mine to have a factory looking stance

 

I used stock CJ7 mounts for all 4 centers and CJ7 stock rear shackle hangers at all four corners. The guy I got most of my parts from is out of business now. But I did get some of the parts from Quadratec. They were inexpensive. As I recall they were in the neighborhood of $10 a mount or something like that. Hardest part was the front passenger spring plate because of the oddball size. I ended up welding the holes shut on one and re-drilling it. I also tried to find rear CJ7 (1986) with D44 for spring pads. Struck out on that one too. I used stock YJ and welded a shock stud to it. My shackle mounts are not welded. I did weld the center spring mounts though. I moved the front center mount back a couple inches to allow enough clearance for the pitman arm. But I had 3.5" lift springs so I think that added some length on compression. I took the spring dimensions old to new and just did the math for spring placement. The frame drawings and spring lengths are in the tech section. Hope it works out for you. With stock type springs I bet it will ride very well.

I looked at quadratec prices. Krage was cheaper; http://www.jeepdoc.com/catalog/zcatalog.asp

Discount Jeep parts was also cheaper
http://www.discountjeepparts.com/index.php/cPath/91_3159