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55' Cj5 Spring Replacement

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 55plowbuggy, May 14, 2019.

  1. May 14, 2019
    55plowbuggy

    55plowbuggy New Member

    Hudsonville,...
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    Dec 9, 2018
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    My cj5 has original springs that are very worn out. All the shackles are shot and the shocks. In addition, one rear spring pivot bracket is rusted out. There may also be damage to the frame where the front shackles go through. I won't know precisely until I take it apart. I am considering adding weld-on shackle mounts under the frame for the front and keeping the front shackle location to the rear of the front tires. I want to run 31" tires. Since all this is being replaced, this would be the time to add lift springs of 2-2 1/2 inches. Original spring packs have 9 leafs all the way around. Has anyone converted their early frame to the below the frame shackle mount? I know this will lift the front maybe an inch. Do I need to shim the axles for a 2-1/2 lift?
    Lots of questions, I know. IMG_5752.jpg IMG_5707.jpg IMG_5753.jpg
     
  2. May 14, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Ouch. :(

    What's the intended end use of your jeep- stock restoral, DD, trail rides or something a bit more specialized?

    If specialized what?

    Are you thinking lift?

    Going to keep the snow plow?

    How's the frame look? Plows are rough on things- are there any cracks or any bends?​



    There's lot's of options but the question is what are the right ones for your jeep...
     
  3. May 14, 2019
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    May 30, 2006
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    I had an idea to move the rear springs outboard of the frame. Theres plenty of room and would make the ride more stable. Might be a good idea for you since you have to redo it anyway
     
  4. May 14, 2019
    55plowbuggy

    55plowbuggy New Member

    Hudsonville,...
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    Dec 9, 2018
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    Howard,
    The plow is coming off. I may put back on in the future, but that’s 10+ years down the road. I plan on fabricating my own custom 3 point system that can be installed and removed from the rear. This would be for small food plots, lifting objects around, dragging logs out of woods. Pull a small utility trailer. It will be used for riding trails here in Michigan and I want to use it on road too. Frame is damaged from the plow. Have a crack to repair and it looks to be bent on the other side up front. Eventually I would like to swap in Chevy 4.3 and switch to power steering. First phase I’d pull motor to fix rear main seal, replace clutch, repair frame up front when motor is out and replace suspension. This should make it driveable/ usable. Thanks
     
  5. May 14, 2019
    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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    That frame was clearly bent by the plow. CJs are really light for plowing, and the driver musn't get carried away and try to substitute momentum for traction. I would find another frame and scrap that one. Look around - there are usually a lot more rolling chassis or frames available than bodies. Most of these Jeeps had the springs mounted under the frame (1956ish and later?), with shackles forward. Note that an M38A1 frame will work too, and will have the same shackle arrangement that this Jeep has. The M38A1 frames are heavier grade steel, and come with a machine gun mount too!
     
    mike starck likes this.
  6. May 14, 2019
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    In which photo do you see the bend, Tim? The horns for the bumper? Somewhere else?
     
  7. May 14, 2019
    55plowbuggy

    55plowbuggy New Member

    Hudsonville,...
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    Dec 9, 2018
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    I think there is a little bend on the passenger side where the forward plow mount ( ubolt) goes around the frame. I think I can fix the frame. I plan on boxing and strapping the front portion.
     
  8. May 14, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I see a bend at the u-bolt that holds the plow frame to the frame horns. I would also check that the frame is not swayback - a common result of plowing with a CJ.
     
  9. May 14, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Springs obviously are a trade-off- ones that are good for ride are not good for lifting things with a rear 3 point hitch. When we first got Tonk he had the same heavy duty spring packs you have- they rapidly got re-configured for fewer leaves for a softer ride as that was cheaper than going to the dentist for new filings all the time. :)

    Replacement stock units are un-obtanium & having new packs made up at a spring shop = $$$. I'm afraid the more popular replacements such as lifts or YJ conversion kits won't work for your loadings. There's some folks on here who are more into the agricultural aspects of jeepiness than I am- I'll leave it to them to comment on your best course.

    As for the frame bends yes they can be straightened but read the manual on this- the material apparently does not react well to being heated. I ended up taking my frame to a body shop but then it twisted itself back out of shape- had to go back at it on my own to get it right. depending on your time & resources Tim's suggestion may be the bestest/fastest/cheapest route.
     
  10. May 14, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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  11. May 14, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Yup, same thing as the civvy HD pack.
     
  12. May 14, 2019
    55plowbuggy

    55plowbuggy New Member

    Hudsonville,...
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    Please explain swayback ?
     
  13. May 14, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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  14. May 14, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Or with a horse.
     
  15. May 15, 2019
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    I second finding another frame. That frame is beat from the plow. They are around quite a bit. A postal Jeep may possibly work and has more boxing if I remember correctly? I'd like a second opinion on this anyone....
     
    mike starck likes this.
  16. May 15, 2019
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Check out the Jeep in this thread.

    67 Cj5 Plow Jeep
     
  17. May 16, 2019
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    This poor horse needs some sort of truss. Lol
     
  18. May 16, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Not a horse person, but I understand it (lordosis of the spine, commonly called swayback) is fairly common for horses - especially old ones - and not necessarily debilitating. People and dogs get it too, but it's more serious/debilitating for them.
     
  19. May 16, 2019
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    You may want the give Mark a call at Rapco Parts Company he had some frames the last time we spoke.
     
  20. May 16, 2019
    Vanguard

    Vanguard Take Off! Staff Member

    Vista, CA USA
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    John R. Spring Service, Inc. Leaf Springs

    Give them a call. My last set of OEM replacement springs came from these guys. Like Howard, I replaced the high leaf count springs with lower counts. If you decide to lift, I liked my Pro-Comp 2.5 lift.
     
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