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First Time Driving My New To Me With Soa And 38's

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by cpeneguy, Jun 13, 2017.

  1. Jun 15, 2017
    cpeneguy

    cpeneguy New Member

    Baton Rouge, La
    Joined:
    May 3, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    Thanks guys! You've all given me some great advice and a place to start from. Shocks First!! I am going to put a smaller tire on as well. I don't know if I can go back to an SUA but i'm going to try and make this work. Its going to see about 80% trail use and an occasional drive around the corner to my office on really nice days.

    I didn't see the crack in the shackle mount until the pic so I investigated and it looks like its a cut from a grinding wheel when the PO was welding on the bumper. I'm going to see what I can do to fix that when I am welding on the shocks.

    I'm also looking into a sway bar with a disconnect for when I do drive it on the street or flat tow. Any suggestions on a bolt on?

    Again, thanks guys! I know myself and many others who frequent this forum would be lost!
     
  2. Jun 15, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
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    3,784
    A 75 through early 80's CJ5 factory sway bar will fit that frame and D-30 axle try E-Bay or CL or a junk yard.............does require you build brackets and gets a little tricky on the steering gear side where space is at a premium , but can be done no problem.

    Due to the SOA suspension , brackets coming off the axle housing will need to be welded on for the disconnects....................and for disconnects , you can build those or buy aftermarket.

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  3. Jun 16, 2017
    wally

    wally SSSSTER

    upper merrimack...
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    Jun 12, 2005
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    554
    timgr will know for sure, but i don't believe 75 cj5s had a sway bar. might have begun in 76.
     
  4. Jun 16, 2017
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    Correct never seen a 75 with one at least.
     
  5. Jun 16, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    OK experts............Thanks for the correction , now how about adding something that really helps the conversation...........
     
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  6. Jun 16, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Correct, no sway bar in '75. Springs. Strong, thick, heavy springs.
     
  7. Jun 16, 2017
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    Thought I was. Helping narrow the search for parts.
     
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  8. Jun 16, 2017
    wally

    wally SSSSTER

    upper merrimack...
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    ****. i thought i was, by helping the searcher look for the correct years.
     
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  9. Jun 16, 2017
    cpeneguy

    cpeneguy New Member

    Baton Rouge, La
    Joined:
    May 3, 2017
    Messages:
    18
    So from what I gather from searching online and comments above, I can use the Sway Bar from a 76-83 CJ5 or CJ7. The mounts will just need to be modified. I looked at a few kits and most of the front kits have no hardware as they are replacement bars. The rears have full bolt on kits a 74. I found a few front sway-bars with all the hardware on ebay. I think I might pull the trigger and see what I can do.
     
  10. Jun 18, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
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    3,784
    Center to center spring hanger widths on frames dating back into the 1940's all the way to 1986 are 28" up front...........so just about any sway bar be it Factory or the many aftermarket ones sold by Addco & Helwig covering those years will fit the D-30 narrow track as long as your frame is not later than 1986 when they went to a 31" spacing.............

    Sorry for the confusion when I stated 75 and up Factory when in fact any sway bar currently retrofitted to an early CJ chassis dating back to 1941 would fit your narrow track D-30 as the most important part of the equation is frame width clearance and axle choice rather than year...........as long as it was prior to 1986.

    And the factory sway bar mounts from that era will normally not easily adapt to an early CJ chassis do to the early cross member location..........and therefore would probably require a competent fabricator to build the brackets while also making adjustments for placement within the proper arch of the sway bars travel to the axle..............JKS I believe makes the best disconnects...........Good luck on your project!
     
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