36" tire on a 73 cj5

I have plans to put 36" swamper's on my 73 cj5. It has about 2 1/2" spring lift already and the Dana 44 that I'm putting up front is set up for SOA. I was hoping to stay with a spring under set up. If I stay with the spring under set up how much more lift or body mods will I need? This jeep will be used pretty hard and I'm expecting alot of body damage, so body mods are not a huge issue. Mostly looking for ideas for combination of Body Lift, Tube fenders, Suspension lift and Body mods to avoid a SOA.

 

I don't know how much lift you would need to clear 36 inch tires but I would look into boxing the frame if you are planning for hard trail use because the frames on all the early and intermediate CJs are very weak and you will crack it.

 

The frame has been boxed and has 1 1/4 x 1/4 flat bar stitch welded on the top rail of the frame. I should post the project on the builds forum. Its has a chev 350 sm465 44 rear detroit locker and soon the 44 front with a lock-right.

Thanks for input on the frame. This has been the jeep project that keeps getting put on the back burner for about 10 years.

 

Time to git 'er done. I can't really say much 'cause I have a new frame that's been sitting in the garage for almost three years that I've been procrastinating working on. Race ya!

 

How will we know who won, jeep projects are never really done.

 

Good point!

 

i here that. my frame's been sitting in and out of my garage since superbowl last year. trying to get SOMETHING done on it before this year's bowl-avoid that one year mark with nothing to show on it...

i'm putting together my list for all the things i need to get it done in one project.

ya, put in a posting in the builds section. i'd like to see how your's progresses for more ideas on mine.

 

Fist off thats a cool looking rig in your avatar, I'm a big fan of those Arctic hardtops! I am running 35's on my '83 with 4" spring lift(sagged to 3") and a 2" body lift. I'm thinking a 4" lift and new body mounts with the 1" lift built in would give you enough room, especially if you trimmed the fenders a bit. Personally I wish I had kept the 34x10.50 Swampers on my '83. The 34's worked great with just the suspension lift.

 

Heres a picture with the sagged 4" lift and the 34's

 

The rig on my avatar is part of the reason my cj5 has taken two more years to get running.

 

This is mine with 35s and 4.5 inches of lift. There is no body lift on it. The rear fenders are cut but the fronts are not in this pic.



And I realized I had to cut the fronts to keep the tires out of the sheet metal. This is close to full stuff and shows why i had to cut them.

 

I think I will try a 4" spring lift 1" body and go from there with trimming. I also will be moving my front spring perches foward as I have a shakle reversal. I will update with photos later.

 

I'm running 35's with 4.5" of lift. Had to cut the rear fenders, but the fronts seem to be OK so far. It may change when the springs break in.