from leaf springs to coils

how can i make my 1972 cj5 jeep have a better suspension for the rocks.
do u think coils are better than leaf and if so how can i find and put the coils on my jeep

 

Your question specifically asks how to convert, not whether it makes sense, so I'll not offer unsolicited advice that it makes more sense to get a different Jeep.

I know of no kits but it would be an involved conversion. I'm wondering if a 72 frame is durable enough to handle a track bar. With leaves the side loading is distributed across four spring mounts. With a coil spring setup a single track bar mount keeps it located. That seems like a lot of strain for a c-channel frame with a lot of use already on it. A four link setup may spread the strain out better but I'm no expert. I think you are in for a long expensive project. I sold a rust-free high mile TJ in very nice shape for $3500. It ran great and looked great and hadn't been messed with. I'll bet you will spend $3500 on the suspension for your 72.

Chilly

 

heres what i found bby just googling it... hope it helps
http://www.fourwheeler.com/featuredvehicles/129_0811_1966_kaiser_jeep_cj5_cummins_ttc_08/index.html
i think its gonna be doable, but really time consuming and exspensive. do you have all the links and everything off the tj? if so then its just a matter of figuring on where to mount them on the frame. but thats really important that theyre in the right place. and of course you have the frame issues like wehunt talked about. i think you could look into yj spring swap, i believe that there are companies that make all the conversion components for your jeep... just my 2 cents. good luck with whatever you do.

 

Might be easier to buy a wrecked TJ and stretch the CJ body 10" to fit on the TJ frame.

 

a buddy has taken on himself to coil shock(no coils) his 5 ,,,,a lot of work, the fox shocks are pricey, and the home brackets are very tall and will need a cross over bar tieing the 2 towers together, it dosen't look very sturdy when it twists up the tire will contact the shocks and he has less twist than my leafsprung rig . then ,,,now the drag link is very wrong ,shaped like a wet noodle. sidehilling under a load will be scary ,tires here ,,,,, tub over there -kind of thing,,,, told him I want to be there will a camera for all the carnage pics . could be done way cleaner maybe it's his way of going about it .
anyway , good luck and I kind of agree , coils would be alot of work,and stress on that frame . think you would need long axles to clear those coils ,on twist ,then the tires stick way out , my leaf sprung run rocks and does pretty well with just 33's ( the only thing holding it back is the short w/b ,) just lock the axles ,shoot for low gears , and air down to 9/10. good luck and keep us posted .

Edit: don't get caught up in all the hype over coils , it all can be done with leafs. the ONLY advantage I see with coils is you get a better approch angle since the frt.spring mounts are gone.

 

I know Jeff. He's a great guy and a competent fabricator, but his CJ has been years in the transformation and it's not even a stock frame under it, so it's not really a good example.

Long story short - unless you wanna get totally crazy and/or extend the wheelbase for steep climbs, look into swapping on some 2.5-inch wide YJ springs. Spring-under in the rear and probably front as well. Won't get you stupid travel, but toss a locker in the front and rear axle and there won't be many places you won't be able to negotiate.

 

Leafs can flex. Just depends on how you build it.

4.5" lift 2.5" wide Rubicon express Leaf springs conversion SUA. This was taken on Moab's rusty Nail trail. I think it works pretty good.



And another view:

 

thanks everyone now i think i might just stay with the leafs but get softer ones

 

After looking at, 4 link rear, 3 link front:
FOA coil over - $1200, (4 coil overs and 2 springs per corner) cheapest around.
Ballistic fab joints - $600 min if joints on one end and bushing on the other.
so that is a min of $1800 for parts add that isn't any mounts.

Then comes the problem of having long enough links to make it worth it.
The C-channel frame causes problems for inside joint mounting, no flat area, do you box the frame?
and strength.

Just somethings I've been looking at with my Flatfender.

 

Thats No joke. 1973 cj with 3" lift 33 inch TSL

 

Spring over wth stock springs, stock wrangler front shackles with the pins cut out for proper width bolts for the narrow 2" spring. 33s in pic but on 35s now.