Spring Plates For A 73 Cj5

Hello, All. Brand new and happy to be here! I bought a 73 CJ5 a few months ago and so far am really pleased with it. I recently discovered that the bolt on my passenger front spring plate is bent, and the nut holding the shock on is only about half threaded. Looking around for a new spring plate, all I seem to find are up through 71 or 76-up, but no intermediates. Does anyone know a source for spring plates for the 73 (fronts)? Are they the same as the 71?

Thanks. Been lurking for awhile sponging this very useful site... figured that it was time to join.

 

Well, Shoot. First post and I mis-categorize it. I guess this should be in "intermediate" Sorry!

 

Not the same as a '71. The shocks move from in front to behind the axle in 1972. 1976-on springs are wider.

No factory-style plates available aftermarket AFAIK. You could have a new pin welded on - not that difficult. Or, you could use aftermarket skid plates Performance Accessories U-Bolt Skid Plates

Welcome from Boston!

A post about a '73 belongs in the Intermediate forum. The mods will probably move this.

 

Thanks, Tim... and say "hello" to my home state for me! (I grew up in Holyoke)

Any chance I could get a pair of 71's and use them on the opposite sides for the 73? Driver's on passenger's and passenger's on driver's?

 

Hello Massachusetts!

No, won't work. The hole spacing for the u-bolts is different left to right. The inside right bolt goes over the housing, which is a larger diameter than the axle tube. I'm not sure the tube of the 27 axle used up through '71 is the same diameter as the 30 used from '72 on, and at least some intermediates have 1/2" diam u-bolts rather than the 7/16" used prior.

 

welcome . as to bent/stripped shock bolt . I would just weld a new one on

 

I'm new to welding... still practicing running lines with a 110... what about drilling the holes to the larger diameter? Is it a spacing issue (like you mentioned) or simply a question of hole size?

 

75 CJ. I have 2 from my D30, now a 44. But i broke a rear off and ordered a new bolt piece from R&P axle. Cut the old one off and welded the new one on.. Surely there is some one around there who can weld it for you.

 

I don't think I can add anything to what I wrote above. Measure the plates and u-bolts you have. You may understand the issues then.

Yes, I agree about fixing what you have. A local welding shop can handle this - it's not a complicated part. If you can't find someone to do the work, ask your local Jeep club for referrals or look on your local Jeep/4x4 forum for somebody that does this kind of stuff. There are always local Jeepers that do fab work as a side business...

Another point - this can probably be fixed on the Jeep. This will save buying new u-bolts... they are not supposed to be reused.

The skid plates linked above will also work.

 

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'm going to pull it apart (was going to anyway) and make a decision from there... Currently leaning towards the skid plates.

 

If you pull it apart, you can ship it to me with a piece of threaded rod to weld on and I'll weld it together and send it back if that helps.

 

Thanks, Geoff, for the offer. I've been practicing my welding and am going to give it a go once I've got it apart. I'll be sure to have it looked over prior to reassembly and use.