Caster,..??..??

Hi, I've got a '63 CJ 5, that I believe the frame, axles, 'n transfer case are original,.....
A p/o added shackles that are 3, 1/2" bolt to bolt,.....
Does anybody know how tall the original shackles woulda been,..??
'n does anybody know the mathamagical equation to find out how big, or small of axle wedges I'd need to get back to nearer the original caster angle,..??

I've got a set of 2* wedges, thinkin' they'll be very close to what I need,....
In searching, it appears that 5 to 7* is 'bout right,..??

 

Thank you,.... That gives me somewhere to start, as I do have angle finder gauges,.....

 

you can get a magnetic base angle finder at home depot in the tool section. their cheap plastic, but they are just as accurate as all the digital gauges I have used.

 

There are several free iPhone level/angle finder apps.

 

It actually comes installed in the “Measure” app. Lower right is a “level” tab.

 

Ayuh,.... I've got a couple of 'em,.....
Just gotta finish up on a boat in my shop, to get the Jeep back in,....

 

I have pretty dang close to the same length shackles on my 2A that is built on a 5 frame with 5 springs and I added Summit racing 2° shims. the jeep tracks like its on rails and is only a little harder to turn (which is more likely due to the 15" wheel then castor) then I remember.

 

One option: pay a tire shop to measure the geometry - ask for an "alignment." Was around $50 in the past few years, maybe more now. They will use their machine that measures everything, front and rear. Ask for the printout from the machine. The shop should include "easy" adjustments as part of the "alignment" service. They can only adjust the toe-in and center the steering on these Jeeps without taking the front end apart, but those will be useful to you.

Look at the printout and add shims as needed. Should be close to what caster you need. My local shop offered to measure the geometry again after I added shims; the proprietor is a Jeeper and I think he was curious about the ultimate result.

Longer shackles are not a great way to add more height. They both loosen the axle-to-jeep coupling (flopping around more), and they only add half the ride height of their added length. In addition to the caster issue. Lift springs would seem ideal, but they still mess with the caster.

There are longer shackles with a cross-bar that aims to put back some rigidity ... McRuff makes some nice ones. I'm running McRuff shackles on the front of my CJ-6 and factory-style on the back (so the Jeep will go in the garage with the top up).