Rear Springs On The Front?

Sooooo I have a question I thought I’d throw out there.
I’ve heard of the flatfender guys throwing their longer rear leaf springs on the front for better ride and all that. Is that feasible for an intermediate Cj5? Would the shackle angle be too aggressive? My shackles sit just a couple degrees forward of 90 degrees. I’ve seen shackle angles all the way from what I have to 45 degrees plus and they all seemed to work good.

Toying around with the idea so I decided to ask

Thank you!! Merry Christmas!!!

 

What I have seen with the flat fenders, are that you have to move both front and rear mounts to make up for the length.
Jay

 

If you go through that trouble get YJ springs.

 

Looking online, the CJ-5 front springs are 39 3/4" long, and the rears are 46" long. Both are centered front/back on the axle. If you leave the front axle in the same place (ie don't change the wheelbase) you'd need to move both spring mounts 3 1/8". That's too much to change with just shackle angle. And the rear mount (of the front spring) is welded to the frame, no shackle - welding required. And you'll have to adjust the suspension geometry to accommodate the new mount positions.

The other possibility is to leave the rear mount on the frame the same and extend the front of the frame 6". This will make your wheelbase 3 1/8" longer. The early CJ-5 has the axle further forward in the wheel opening by 2", but I expect 3" will be excessive - you'll most likely have to trim the front edge of the fender to clear the tire.

You could do it, but it's going to take some effort and welding. YJ springs seem an easier/better option.

 

ECJ5 55-75
Front spring length 39 5/8
Rear spring length 46 1/8

CJ 76-86
Front spring length 44 1/8
Rear spring length 45 1/2

Skyjacker:
55-75 F-345 R-235 2.5” lift
76-86 F-240 R-220 2.5” lift

Rancho:
55-75 F-304 R-314
76-86 F-325 R-290

Pro-Comp:
55-75 F-304 R-290
76-86 F-274 R-293

Pro-Comp
55-75 F = 40.62”/38.12” R = 46..75”/43.25”
76-86 F = 45”/42”. R = 45”/43”


I’ve been doing a little comparison on the best way to get a better ride and maybe a small lift... What I have listed above is the SPRING RATES for the 55-75 Jeeps & the 76-86 Jeeps throughout the different manufactures... Notice Skyjacker makes a Soft Ride spring for the 76-86 Jeeps... This seems to be the best option and easiest upgrade with out going to YJ springs... I feel I could do this later model spring upgrade and most would it notice, whereas the YJ spring is kinda hard to hide... Rear spring is basically the same length and the front is longer but easily modified...

Whatcha think...

 

Yes it is and I should have added that information... What I’m looking to do is have my friend at #angryiron build me rear hangers that will bolt into the factory mounts but wider in the rear.. In the front I want them to mount into the factory location but wider and stretch approx 2 1/2 frt & rear mounts... I feel it’s doable and not very noticeable. It will be a lot shorter that a YJ spring...

 

i believe the flatties had 1-3/4" wide springs

 

Skyjacker makes a soft ride spring for intermediates. I installed mine 2 years ago and it was a night and day difference in ride and is much more stable.

 

Yes I believe you are correct at 1.75” F & R springs where the 76-86 have 2” Frt & 2.5” Rear...

 

So, I contacted Skyjacker to get their spring rates.. I asked them about a Soft Ride Spring for the Intermediates and these said they did not have one... I listed above the spring rate they gave me...

Would you happen to have the old paper work with the part numbers...?? Thank you...

 

I bought them trough quadratec. It is listed as standard springs, but on the description it says soft ride technology. I'll try to post the link .Skyjacker Standard 2.5" Suspension Lift Kit for 55-75 Jeep CJ I'm very happy with them. I know BDS makes a nice riding spring. Maybe someone can chime in on this.

 

Very interesting... Going to give them a call Monday and double check... Thank you..