M38a1/55 Cj5 Measurement Needed

I am in need of a measurement from an M38A1 or 55/56 CJ5 frame. I need the distance from the bottom of the front frame rail to the center of the leaf spring pivot bolt.

 

Do you have a picture of what you're looking for? I'm about to head out to work underneath my M38A1

 

Here's a factory frame drawing, but it sounds like you are looking for the vertical offset from the bottom of the frame to the center of the spring hanger.


Factory V6 Frame Mounts. Please Guide Me.

Mike

 

I don't have a picture, thats why I was asking. Trying to engineer a shackle reversal kit and I need to know the distance from when the front leaf spring pivots to the bottom of the frame so I can make that spring mount.

Also from the bottom of the frame to the center of the shackle pivot would be great as well.

 

That's for shackles in the front, not reversed.

 

I used a spring mount from Ruff Stuff for my shackle reversal.

Note that I also outboarded my springs and switched to YJ leafs, but it would work the same under the frame and with narrower springs.

Mike

 

M38A1. Shackles are at the rear of the front axle. I don't know if this is all stock dimensions or not as the Jeep has had some modifications over the years.
If you need additional / more accurate measurements let me know. I'll be out there again tomorrow continuing the battle with the master cylinder.

 

Same here as kenb
Something like 2 5/8

 

Awesome, thanks Ken and Rich.

 

After undo the factory reversal and converting a M38a1 frame to CJ style shackles. I would not do the shackle reversal. It's much safer and brakes better. If you think it will improve ride. It won't. Only soft spring will do this.

Not saying you can't do it. It's just one vote against.

 

One vote for.

 

Quirky street manners reversed, better off road

 

It's that bad?

 

All you have to do is slam on the brakes and the front end nose dives. If you turn at the same time, it could roll.

 

JMO, but I’ve driven four different shackle-reversed rigs that I’ve built and never had a negative feeling from any of them. The axle moves in a more natural motion in relation to road bumps and trail trash, approach angle is improved, bent springs are a thing of the past, your frame horns are strengthened in the process, and less leverage is put on them because the shackles aren’t there pulling sideways on them like pry bars. That leverage is moved back to the strongest part of your frame.

The only 2 negatives I can think of are 1) if your suspension is flexy, you need extended slip in your front driveshaft. I’ve seen quite a few shafts pull apart when the suspension unloads, and damaged t-cases when the shaft bottoms on compression. (I run a square PTO shaft on my 3b.)
And 2) I’ve found death wobble is a little more of a factor. I contribute this to any play in the shackle bushings being on the other side of the axle and the steering components. Keep them well maintained and there’s no issue.