Cj7/yj Leaf Spring Conversions?

Has anyone here done a CJ7 or YJ leaf spring conversion on a 50's CJ5? My reasoning is that my 55 CJ5 frame is shot and I'm coughing up the bucks to buy a frame from throttle down kustoms. They can make my frame with leaf spring hangers for a CJ7 or YJ if I choose, but the frame will be extended 3-4" past the grill if I do so.

 

This is the exact thing I have been thinking about with my 67. Also do YJ lift heights affect a early CJ the same way? Is the conversion worth doing?

 

When I made my frame i used YJ springs. They are wider and longer. They will work on the stock spring perches, but its not ideal. Cut the old ones off your axle and weld on new YJ ones. You *may* need to radius one to fit onto the front passenger side axle carrier housing. You can also give yourself the caster to fix your steering issues that you might have. 7*..or so.

To do it again as a basic YJ spring conversion I would get stock YJ springs and go spring over axle. Gives about 4" lift as Posimoto has said. The 4" lift high arch ones I have now are a bit stiff. Still fine as far a jeep rides go for me though. They are still worlds better than stock, especially because they aren't all worn out.

Advanced build, my next if i ever do it, would be coil spring front and flat YJ rear...like ITLKSEZ..well not like ITLKSEZ because I am not an artist, but that idea...

 

Usually if going to YJ springs they are done as spring over. Quite a bit of planning must be done to think through all of the impacts. BDS sells a really nice set of replacement springs for 55-75 CJ5.

 

Yes, planning and then trial and error. My first and second iteration was less than ideal.

 

Well I Went & Did It.. Rocky Road Conversion On The Way.

 

I don't think I'd so a spring over but, I'm unsure of the resulting ride height when going spring under with YJ springs. If I WERE to go spring over, I always figured on doing THAT up front only and using lift springs at the rear n order to avoid the axle wrap issues I've read about. Just my thoughts as I have no real world experience with spring overs and the conversion. Just been thinking about it and reading about it for years. I always like following other's threads on the subject.

 

I plan on staying spring under.

 

That has crossed my mind also. Coils and leafs liked a XJ.

 

That is a ton of work to get all the geometry correct, and unless you plan on using coilovers rather than trational coil springs, plan on wider axles to fit them between the frame and wheel, or with a lot of lift and fit them under the frame/over the axle.

 

What should I be looking at if I do this conversion? Besides the leaf spring hangars?

 

The rate of the springs is important both front and back. Front as it affects bump steer and stability. The rear with axle wrap. Steering geometry must be well thought out to work well on road and off. Shock rate and mounting is important either over or under. With a few searches there is a lot of information from those that have gone down this road before. Once again I am a big fan of good quality aftermarket replacement original type springs unless you have fabrication skills, tools and a budget to support the project.

 

Daryl, here's my situation and if you or anyone else can give me some advice on the best route to go, that'd be great. I bought the '55 for $450 knowing I'd only keep the body, axles (Dana 44 rear and Dana 25 front), t90 transmission (that I may switch to a 4 speed), and the Dana 18 transfer case. All of these parts are in great condition given the age, only needing new seals on the axles. Body needs some metal work but I can do this. I also plan on throwing a small block gm v8 in it. Was going to go with a v6 but found a v8 cheaper. Novak tells me it will need no firewall modification which is a big deal to me.

I can source an original 50's CJ5 frame but feel more comfortable going with a brand new fully boxed in throttledownkustoms frame. They will sell me a frame that is to factory specs of the original frame but they said I should think about upgrading to YJ leaf springs, which they will weld the hangers to the frame. I plan on keeping steering stock as the system I have is in good condition.

I plan on using this for weekend trotting around with the wife and occasionally taking it to the trails. I don't plan on extreme mudding or rock climbing as I think anything I would need to do would detract from the original look of this jeep. I want to have an original look with 31- 33 inch tires and have it ride smoother than feeling like my kidneys are being punched driving down the street.

 

Don't even think about YJ springs if you are keeping the stock axles and steering. Just keep it all original and enjoy it. For every change you start to make the percentage of not finishing the project directly correlates. Before you do anything, it is imperative that you make a plan and figure out exactly what it is that you want to end up with. This may be a case of finding a Jeep that already has exactly what you want for about 10 cents on the dollar of what it will cost you to make it yourself.

 

This.

 

x2.

I have YJ leafs on my 3A, and I love the ride. But given the OP's last response ...... ^^

 

Thanks for all the info. I think I'll be going with the stock springs. Anyone have a link to good ones?

 

The more I think about it I am leaning that way also.

 

I run cj7 springs on my '59 5 bought new proper hangers from 4wdh and it twists good with longer spring pack ....