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74 Yj Spring Conversion Question

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Ol Fogie, Dec 15, 2019.

  1. Dec 19, 2019
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Jim,
    What direction are you going to go with your YJ spring install? The RR kit has some issues but is a pretty easy way to go and will get you the ride/comfort/ flex your after.... relatively easy. If you choose to DIY it you can get everything literally perfect..... but that takes more time, space, tools.
    Now is not the time to be cutting the spring perches off of your D30...... That is the very last thing that should be done to complete your suspension upgrade. You won't know what your caster needs to be adjusted to until your suspension is set up. If you get it all set up and later decide to change your shackle length..... you will need to re adjust your caster. That's the time for caster shims......
    I went through all this just last winter. Starts on page 16 of my build thread. Norcal69's Common Sense Build.
    I am in no way saying that this is the only way to do it.... but my jeep can be driven 70mph on the freeway, no hands on the wheel.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    ITLKSEZ and 47v6 like this.
  2. Dec 19, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    If I am the Jim you are referring to, I installed mine a couple of years ago. I am changing spring perches because of the width issue. I did have some steering issues, at first but found my steering box bolts loose.. Goes pretty good now, but by shortening the shackles a 1/2" I figure it will give me some more caster.. I can always put the other ones back and get some shims..
     
  3. Dec 19, 2019
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Nope, not you.
    Ol Fogie, His name is Jim too.
     
  4. Dec 19, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    OK... Never mind
     
  5. Dec 19, 2019
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    Zilla ,sorry being so late getting back to you. Had to work late today. I took some measurements of my 74 today for you. My jeep is still completely stock and factory and still fully assembled. the front shackle hangers, the rear stationary hangers and the axle perches on my D30 are all the same measurement across center to center at exactly 27 1/2 inches. hope that helps. I am thinking that is what your measurements should be also on your 75. there was no changes in frame spec from 72 thru 75 as near as I can find out. Please keep us up dated on how it goes.
    Jim
     
  6. Dec 20, 2019
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    Hi Norcal 69
    I had not seen your build thread, up till 2am reading. Thanks for your post lots of good info there.
    I am in the planning stage for my 74 restoration, gathering info and parts first. Jeep still fully intact and driveable. That is really good pic of your alignment process. I fully understand how the process works you were doing. The R R kit hangers would be a lot faster and easier, just fit to the existing factory hangers and bolt on. However the factory hangers on mine are poorly welded on, some crooked, some not centered on the rail and so on. Quality control was so poor at the factory makes me wonder how well the hangers were all aligned with each other and the rest of the jeep. That is why I am considering making the stationary hangers my self so that I can box/reinforce the frame in the hanger areas and line them up correctly. Also I want to keep the amount of lift from the old man emu springs subdued a bit. Chassis Unlimited makes good looking custom to your specs. stationary hangers from 1/4 plate. I may go with them and brace them up a little.
    I am thinking I should start a build page, I will be very slow at this build process. I may have questions along ,however I promise not to hound youall with them
    Looking forward to everyone's comments and post.
    Jim
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2019
  7. Dec 20, 2019
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Jim,
    Staying up till 2am reading ECJ5 threads is a sure sign of jeep addiction...... :rofl:
    If you go the home brew route you need to make sure that you get the correct width bushings/ brackets for your springs. The Old Man Emu springs are metric sized.... leaving them slightly narrower than 2.5". You can either buy the OME special bushings... or modify proper yj poly bushings to fit. No biggie if you have a belt sander... that's what I did. For the spring and shackle hangers I used Ruff Stuff. Spring & Shackle Hangers - RuffStuff Specialties
    If you have the time to collect parts, these guys regularly have great sales/ coupon codes to save money. Because I was modifying stock yj bushings to fit OME springs..... I ordered spring/shackle hangers in 2.75" width.
    On Steve's jeep we installed a RR kit. You can read about our adventures with it here. Picked Up A 71 For A Buddy Of Mine......
    Don't worry about asking too many questions. That's what this whole forum deal is for..... :D
     
  8. Dec 21, 2019
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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  9. Dec 21, 2019
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    Zilla, Just wondering how did the perch welding go? Also can I ask does the protractor you have have a magnetic base?
     
  10. Dec 21, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    Haven't welded yet, just tacked. As I said I make knives and Christmas is my busy time.. Yes it has a mag base. I am going to double check my measurement first. Someone posted pix of how they were measuring using plumb bobs. Gonna get some and double check things first. I am in no hurry as I do not use my heap in the winter..
     
  11. Dec 21, 2019
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    Thanks Zilla, let me know when you start with the plum bob thing. I have been studying up on that and I might be of some help. Also Norcal 69 is who posted those photos, he has a build thread on that process that explains a lot. Merry Christmas Jim
     
  12. Dec 21, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    I read through his thread.. I am going to get a piece of 1/2" emt conduit to hang the plumb bobs from.. Maybe tomorrow.. Too damn many people out today. Christmas shopers are over running the stores and I hate being around lots of people
     
  13. Jan 4, 2020
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    I bought two plumb bobs and a piece of EMT conduit. Since I had my axle out I clamped the EMT to two sawhorses over the axle. The hung the plumb bobs and measured between the strings on the EMT. All welded up and sitting on the springs. Ubolts installed on one side.. All I lack is finishing.
     
  14. Jan 5, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    Ah, I had not thought of that, I knew measuring for the location of axle perches was going to require some thought as there is no way to get a straight measurement from side to side because of the carrier housing. Let us know how it all lines up when you are finished reinstalling.
     
  15. Jan 5, 2020
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    I have it bolted up now. Just have to torque the U-bolts. Lined up perfectly. Dropped right on. Before I moved the spring plates one u-bolt plate was tilted up at an angle because the centers didn't match. All is flat now as it is supposed to be. I am now considering redoing my shock mounts all the way around. RR makes a bolt on extension for the front. M.O.R.E makes one I am looking at for the rear. I am also considering moving the lower mounts to the axle. We'll see how ambitious I get
     
  16. Jan 5, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    Good, glad it worked out. I have not yet started my restore. I did get my new old man emu cso36r springs. I am thinking I will completely strip the Jeep down to the frame and start with the rebuild with the springs and hangers first. I will start a build thread when I begin. When you start your shock mounts please post some pic.
    Jim
     
  17. Jan 11, 2020
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    If you strip it, the YJ spring mod will be much easier.. When I did mine everything and anything was always in the way..
     
  18. Jan 12, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    [still stock pilling parts to begin my restoration. emu springs IMG_0486.JPG ATTACH=full]53996[/ATTACH]
     
  19. Jan 12, 2020
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

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    crabtree tool shackles and hangers IMG_0483.JPG
    This guy makes the best quality parts I have seen. very precise and close tolerances.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2020
    zila likes this.
  20. Jan 12, 2020
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    Nice. I have seen Crabtree on another site.. He makes some nice stuff.
     
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