CJ5 something wierd here

Bought a 73 CJ5, front axle was all busted up. I found a nice set online in fact I think it was here. Narrow D30 and D44 w/ 5.34's, disks brakes, chrom moly, etc.. beefed up.

As I was driving to work today I found a sweet 77' CJ5. Body in great shape very clean and had a great 304 engine etc.. so I bought it for a steal. The plan was to swap the axles from the 73' to the 77'.

So I'm in my shop now and droped the old rear axle and was about to put the new one in and noticed some thing wierd!
The problem is that the front perches are 30" wide and the rear are 36" What gives? Shocks mounted on the inside of the frame. Looks like it has been widend.
How do I fix the problem? Weld wider perches, move the Leafs in closer? Split the difference? Find a wider axle??? So ****ed off.
I measured the front of the new one just to make sure, but not the rear.:evil:

 

77s have a different frame design. They widen out at the rear.

 

Yup, the frame is wider on 76 up. Just weld on new spring perches to the axle you are putting in.

 

Yep I pulled a Homer!

Thanks guys,

Jonny

 

glad you got it figured out.