help deciding on suspension upgrade

Heep is a 2a, fiberglass, 34x9.5 TSLs someday maybe 36-37s, mostly offroad - some city and hi way. It's time to install a narrowed wagoneer frt axle and upgrade suspension. Currently has Rancho 5 leaf 1 3/4springs - way too stiff. Probably keeping it SUA to keep center of gravity as low as possible and cutting wheel openings not a problem - been on its side once alraedy with oem narrow axles. Was thinking wider springs, and buying used wrangler yj springs, possibly outboard mounting, moving mounts to frame ends and maybe even add a few inches to front. Did I mention Limited budget. I really do not want to spend any money and time and find it does not work, but not afraid to go over budget on a nice setup. Now I am tossing the idea around on buying a complete kit. Hoping to hear from others with actual experience with the many suspension options on for a vehicle application like mine. Fab skills are up to par for this project.

Specifically:

Exact springs or kit ( not opposed to take offs) to use for good ride height, flex and some roadworthiness?

Sources for above or just wider hangers for wrangler springs?

Should I outboard front/rear or both?

Tried to add pic of the heep so you could see how it sits now, but cannot figure out how to. Thinking same or 1 to 2 inches lower would be good.

Thanks for any help.
Tiptop

 

A "widetrack" axle from an early eighties CJ is wider than the original axles, but not as wide as Wagoneer axles. They are cheap to buy used, since lots of people are wanting to swap over to truck or wagonner axles. They would bolt up with minimal trouble and lots of different springs are avail for you to choose from.

Check craigslist in your area for parts. Just an idea.

 

I am currently building a 2A chassis using a boxed original frame with a narrow track dana 30 from an 82 cj5 and a dana 44 rear. I decided to use a rubicon express suspension kit from a late cj that uses YJ width springs. I have been told from a few folks, that this is one of the best riding lift kits around, with really good quality springs. I am using the 4 1/2 inch lift and will be running 34x10.50 swampers. For spring hangers I just ordered stock replacement hangers for a late cj through 4wd hardware, they were very reasonably priced and will fit the YJ springs. I wish I could tell you how well it all works, but I am only just starting my build, and have a couple of years to go before I am done. Wide track cj axles sounds like a good idea as well, to get wider in trackwidth under a budget. I am leaving my springs in the stock position with my narrow track axles, but if you are going to go with quite wide axles like from a wagoneer, I would probably mount outboard springs. I like the spring under style springs. My buddies that have done spring over with cj or yj springs have had way too much trouble with axle wrap and have needed ladder bars to help control it. Ladder/traction bars can be troublesome as well. Hopefully in the next few weeks, I will have some pictures posted of my CJ2A chassis project start.

Greg

 

I would consider taming down the tire size to 33 or 32's. 2.5" lift spring, 1/2 inch lift shackles is plenty big with maximum drive shaft angles. You will need to lower your rear cross member about 2 inches and permanently shim/bolt with box steel. I have aluminum blocks tapped out which works fine.

I have 2 -- well 3 jeeps set up this way and they feel really tall but have nice road manners

 

Hi Greg ! Can You link me all the parts from 4wdh, please.

I also want to adapt the YJ springs and I need the hangers. These hangers are as wide as YJ hangers and uses the same bushings? I want that when I need to replace the bushings all will be from a YJ and not some ones of a measure and others of another measure.

I also was thinking about cut of the hangers from an YJ frame and after that readapt and weld to my cj frame; but here in Spain is too difficult find a YJ for parts.


I'm sorry for my poor english

 

Here you go Xavi

for spring hanger http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=11055
for shackle mount http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=8316

Greg

 

I've been running Holbrook long leaf springs and an 82 CJ5 D30 for about 6 years now. Very happy with the ride and never found fault with the D30. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2174452

 

Greg, thanks a lot for the links When you receive the parts from 4wdh. put a photography in the post to see them please .

When I bought the revolver shackles, came with them these shackle mounts.
I don't know what model of jeep they belong... are 2" wide and 1" diameter. does someone know for what model they are?

An other thing, the flattie is less weigh than YJ (overcoat the back part), maybe must to take off one leaf spring from the YJ springs to be more confortable.

 

Those look like '76-'86 CJ front spring hanger replacements. They bolt on for those models and are a weak point. The ones in your pictures are aftermarket replacements that are stronger than stock. They may also fit some early YJ Jeeps. They are designed for use with the 2" wide springs used in the front for those years.

 

I LOVE my Holbrooks and my 69 D30 w/ discs. Smooooth as silk and lots of articulation.

 

Thanks nickmil for the information !!