Did I mess up? - CJ-6 Suspension

Ok, here's the deal....1974 CJ-6. Took it into the shop to get the frame repaired. There ended up being enough damage to the frame and shackle hangers, that we (me and the shop) decided to go ahead and address the suspension while they were in there, and while they had the front end apart (fenders, grille, etc.).

So, we decided on a M.O.R.E. un-welded shackle reversal along with a Black Diamond 3" lift for later model CJ's (2" wide fronts, 2 1/2" wide rears). I struggled with this decision, but ended going this way due to cost...although I really wanted the Rubicon Express setup.

Fast forward....it's been a work in progress at the shop since I asked them to use it as filler work, and plus it took forever for the shackle reversal to come in. Well, the shackle reversal is complete (and looks great), but the "spacer" or gusset for the shackle reversal was 2 1/2" wide...so, I asked the guy at the shop to go ahead and bolt up the rear springs in the front at first just to see if they would fit the shackle reversal (to torture myself, wondering if I can go to the RE springs later since they are 2.5" wide). Well, lo and behold, they bolted on just fine! Now I am second guessing my choice of springs, cuz I've heard so many great things about the RE springs.

Here's where the torture gets worse. With the rear springs bolted up to the front, the guy from the shop calls me up and says he wants me to take a look at it before he tightens everything down, and goes ahead with the rest of the suspension install (with the rear springs where they belong, in the rear). Well, I expected to walk in to a Jeep with a serious nose in the air stance. NOT! It sat maybe an inch higher...so much for a 3" lift. Now on to my questions(finally):

1) Did I see less lift cuz they were the rear springs? Do the front springs have a stiffer rating?
2) Should I send the springs back and get RE springs?
3) Did I screw up?????
4) Recovery plan?
5) To mount the rear springs, which spring hanger (non shackle side) should I order....one for a later model CJ, or a YJ hanger?

Thanks for any and all help!!

 

I believe the rear are softer than the front (way less sprung weight). If I'm wrong, others will set it right.:v6:

 

Just got word from the shop - no change!! Only getting about an inch of lift. Now I'm trying to find out from the original owner whether or not they ever made any suspension mods, such as a lift kit or add-a-leafs.

The saga continues....

 

Just spoke to the original owner - no recollection of a lift kit. Just some homemade shackles. They just removed those shackles, and I must say that they can't be any more than 1" longer than stock, so MAYBE 1/2" of lift there.

 

I'd expect that the hardtop on a CJ-6 would make the rears settle more than on a CJ-5 with a soft top. If these springs are meant to give a soft ride, they might compress more than you would like. Here's a pic of a '75 CJ-6, less than a year old, HD springs & shocks, which may give you some idea of how high they sat originally.




Don't consider the left front in the top picture, since it's pointed down toward the curb, and was pushed down by the wreck.