Over Axle Extra Rear Springs ?

My '56 CJ5 has extra spring packs over the rear axles (see images). I've been unable to find much info about them, but assume that they were an option for farm or other heavy duty use. I'm planning on replacing springs and shocks at the end of the year, but I haven't had much luck finding anything like the upper packs or the extended u-bolts that hold both sets of springs to the axle. I don't beat the jeep up so I probably don't need to replace the extra HD packs, but am wondering if it's safe to re-use the u-bolts.

Anyone have these on their rigs? Any thoughts on replacing the main packs with new or NOS original style units and keeping the existing extras and re-using the u-bolts?

 

Looks like the over load spring on a one ton. At least it’s almost setup for a spring over.

 

I'd guess they are aftermarket overloads. You should be able to have the u-bolts made at your local truck spring shop. You're not supposed to reuse u-bolts, though they would probably be ok. They are under a heck of a lot of tension in service. If it were mine, I would not put them back without having a backhoe or trencher or such in the bed of the Jeep. The axle and frame aren't meant for the kinds of loads that those springs would allow.

The Jeep-a-trench came with dual rear wheels and a Dana 60 rear axle (and gusseted frame?) Somebody here has one or two ...

 

Thanks guys - I hadn't seen anything like these before in my CJ3A or M38 years. Good to know they're most likely aftermarket somewhere along the way. I'll just ditch the extra packs when I do the springs/shocks. I can't see evidence of the rubber "pucks" touching the frame since I've had it, so I imagine that no harm has been done (I hope).

 

Just look for cracks or Extra curves, your probly good