SBC CJ2a with Wrangler springs?

Well I just spent a few hours going through your build posts and must say you have given me some great idea's....And NICE WORK BY THE WAY!
The one thing I did notice regarding the suspension is it appears that your shackles are nearly strait up and down or somewhat leaned in even with the weight of the engine & body on the frame. You mentioned it sits a little high for your taste......Do you think if the mounting points for the spring perches and shackle were closer together it would drop the overall suspension height some and allow for more downward spring travel? I only ask because I plan to use YJ springs on my '48 and after feedback from members of this forum along with hours of research have decided spring under will best suit the intended use of my application. I was originally thinking 3.5" wrangler springs but don't want quite as much ride height as what it appears you have now. ( would like to run 33"x12.50's ) I need to decide how much length to add to my frame. What is your overall feelings on your suspension....Less lift, different shackles, different spring mounting?? what would you do different if you were to run a tire smaller than 34"?

Thanks in advance,
Joe

 

If I had to do it again I would have picked a 3.5" lift to mount everything the way I did. I already extended the frame but I just couldn't extend the wheelbase or move the springs any farther forward or aft. I was trying to get about a 83" wheel base but only ended up with about 80". The only other options would be to offset the spring center bolt or move the shackle mounts up and onto the front and rear bumpers. This would lower the ride height a bit. I just didn't want the shackles out in front of the bumpers any more than I have them now. I know the shackle angle seems pretty vertical right now but the springs will settle more yet and the Jeep is still not at it's running weight. I believe the springs will settle a good 1.5" yet and I may even pull a leaf out of each pack yet. They are designed to carry the weight of a YJ not a flatty. Overall I believe what I have will work just fine. If you like what I did overall and want to be a bit shorter then I would suggest the BDS 3.5" kit. Good luck with the project.
Greg

 

Thanks Greg!
I'm not familiar with the BDS kit. Doe's it give you 3.5" with stock YJ springs? Or do you have to use a lifted YJ spring with it?
I'm at the point of gathering parts for my suspension and am trying to decide on a set of stock height YJ springs or aftermarket lifted YJ springs. I have stock YJs on my Jap Jeep but did a spring over to gain about 4" lift. I love the way they ride and handle but don't like the wheel hop I get under throttle on a incline. Obviously if I have wheel hop on this one then a higher HP app. will be much worse! My concern with aftermarket lifted YJ springs is that they may not ride and perform as well as the stock ones do.
Any thoughts?

Joe

 

This is the kit I would use. http://www.bds-suspension.com/kits/409H
http://www.bds-suspension.com/Images/Kits/jk_yj_014350.jpg

3-1/2" Complete System
Base Price $1,009.28
Front 3-1/2" Leaf Spring
Rear 3-1/2" Leaf Spring
This kit comes with front and rear Glide-Ride leaf springs. These spring feature tapered leafs, anti-friction pads, bolt style leaf alignment clamps and a full military wrap to protect your spring eyes from the rocks. If you are actually capable of breaking the main leaf, the military wrap will allow you to limp home off the trail. These springs are made to perform offroad as well as get you to and from work. The box kit includes new urethane spring eye bushings, u-bolts, front and rear track bar relocation brackets to center the axle, transfer case drop kit to ease the drive line angles, brake line relocation brackets, bump stop extensions, a power steering pitman arm for corect steering angles, and extended sway bar link.
Max. Tire Size: 33" x 12.50"
Max. Wheel Size: 15 x 8
Back Spacing: 3.5"
Product Alerts:

* The use of extended shackles is recommended to clear the military wraps on the springs.
* May require driveshaft lengthening if equipped with 13"( u-joint to u-joint) driveshaft.
* May require larger diameter driveshaft if equipped with a 41-1/2" front driveshaft.
* If you have a heavy Jeep (ie. Hard top with full size spare) you will want to run the front springs on both the front and rear. This selection can be made in the customize section before checking out.


Base Kit Components
Part#

Description
(2)
004351 87-95 Jeep YJ 3.5in Front Or Rear Spring
(2)
004359 87-95 Jeep YJ 3.5in Rear Spring
(1)
014350 87-95 Jeep YJ 3.5in Front & Rear Box Kit
(1)
084404 Jeep YJ Pitman Arm W/pwr Steering
(2)
55950 Rear Hydraulic Shock Absorber
(2)
55955 Front Hydraulic Shock Absorber
Articles & Links:
http://www.jeepzine.com/htdocs/reviews/bds/

Along with this kit I would order some fixed spring shackles from a '76 to '86 CJ as well as some shackle hangers from the back of the same CJ. The parts are available from 4wd hardware and many others and are very reasonable. The hangers are cheap enough that it is easier to buy them and weld them to your frame then fab them yourself. I think this would give you a good riding complete kit that will not have spring wrap wheel hop. You could order all rear springs so the rate will be closer to dealing with the weight of the little flatty.
Greg

 

Hey thanks for the info.! Your build has given me lots of ideas to roll around in my melon. If you don't mind I may be picking your brain some more in the future.

Thanks again,
Joe

 

You bet. PM me any time.
Greg

 

Joe,

51 CJ-3a, 3.5" BDS YJ 5-leaf spring under, M.O.R.E YJ shackles, CJ shackle hangers front and rear (frame not extended), home built spring hangers, 33x12.5 Swamper radials on 15x8 standard backspace wheels (3 3/8" backspacing?), mid 70's Wagoneer Dana 44's (front narrowed 4", factory off-set rear, approx. 58" wms to wms). I should mention that I tried to make all of the spring mounts as close to the frame as possible, as well as the spring perches on the axle. The front end sits at a nice height, but I only have a Chevy 153 under the hood. The rear sits a tad lower than level, which I will eventually address, but I relocated the gas tank to the rear frame rails and have a heavy rear tire carrier. I think if I went with the 4.5" BDS springs in the rear it would be perfect with my set up. FYI, BDS uses 4 or 5 leaf spring packs depending upon if you have a hard top or not for a YJ, so I ordered two sets of the rear 5 leaf packs, same price. Ride quality is fantastic, and I'm running Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks.

I've been lazy and haven't updated my build thread in almost 6 months, even though I finished up the Jeep in June.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Good luck!

 

Damn, Thanks for the info!!! That sounds VERY close to the build plans I've been rolling through my melon. I'm concentrating on getting the body, electrical, steering column, cage, seats, etc. etc. out of the way this winter. With any luck I'll be ready to dive into the chassis next spring/summer. By then I hope to know what I want to do and have the parts accumulated to do so.
I'll try to find your build thread this eve. Again thank you for the info.

Joe

 

I am using this same setup, with the same engine, but I built a 2x4 tube frame for it and went with a reverse shackle. With the tube frame I was able to stretch the wheelbase to 83 inches. Right now I have 16 inches of clearance under my transmission cross member with 31inch tires, I plan to go to 33-inch tires in the future. It is nice to see someone else’s Jeep with the same setup and how it will look when it is done. Again, I think that spring under is the correct setup and in a flat fender I wanted to keep the body roll to a minimum and I think a spring over would increase the roll factor. I hope all this good information everyone has given you will help you build your Jeep?

 

Again thank you all for the information!
I just started a build thread "the build of uncivilianized" and will continue to update it as I progress.

Joe