55' Cj5 Spring Replacement

My cj5 has original springs that are very worn out. All the shackles are shot and the shocks. In addition, one rear spring pivot bracket is rusted out. There may also be damage to the frame where the front shackles go through. I won't know precisely until I take it apart. I am considering adding weld-on shackle mounts under the frame for the front and keeping the front shackle location to the rear of the front tires. I want to run 31" tires. Since all this is being replaced, this would be the time to add lift springs of 2-2 1/2 inches. Original spring packs have 9 leafs all the way around. Has anyone converted their early frame to the below the frame shackle mount? I know this will lift the front maybe an inch. Do I need to shim the axles for a 2-1/2 lift?
Lots of questions, I know.

 

I had an idea to move the rear springs outboard of the frame. Theres plenty of room and would make the ride more stable. Might be a good idea for you since you have to redo it anyway

 

Howard,
The plow is coming off. I may put back on in the future, but that’s 10+ years down the road. I plan on fabricating my own custom 3 point system that can be installed and removed from the rear. This would be for small food plots, lifting objects around, dragging logs out of woods. Pull a small utility trailer. It will be used for riding trails here in Michigan and I want to use it on road too. Frame is damaged from the plow. Have a crack to repair and it looks to be bent on the other side up front. Eventually I would like to swap in Chevy 4.3 and switch to power steering. First phase I’d pull motor to fix rear main seal, replace clutch, repair frame up front when motor is out and replace suspension. This should make it driveable/ usable. Thanks

 

That frame was clearly bent by the plow. CJs are really light for plowing, and the driver musn't get carried away and try to substitute momentum for traction. I would find another frame and scrap that one. Look around - there are usually a lot more rolling chassis or frames available than bodies. Most of these Jeeps had the springs mounted under the frame (1956ish and later?), with shackles forward. Note that an M38A1 frame will work too, and will have the same shackle arrangement that this Jeep has. The M38A1 frames are heavier grade steel, and come with a machine gun mount too!

 

In which photo do you see the bend, Tim? The horns for the bumper? Somewhere else?

 

I think there is a little bend on the passenger side where the forward plow mount ( ubolt) goes around the frame. I think I can fix the frame. I plan on boxing and strapping the front portion.

 

I see a bend at the u-bolt that holds the plow frame to the frame horns. I would also check that the frame is not swayback - a common result of plowing with a CJ.

 

M38A1 springs show up NOS on Ebay. Early Cj5 is the same or nearly so.

They even have the groove.

Jeep Willys M38A1 CJ5 CJ6 Leaf Spring Front 12 leaf NOS Not Reproduction G758 | eBay

 

Please explain swayback ?

 

Or with a horse.

 

I second finding another frame. That frame is beat from the plow. They are around quite a bit. A postal Jeep may possibly work and has more boxing if I remember correctly? I'd like a second opinion on this anyone....

 

Check out the Jeep in this thread.

67 Cj5 Plow Jeep

 

This poor horse needs some sort of truss. Lol

 

Not a horse person, but I understand it (lordosis of the spine, commonly called swayback) is fairly common for horses - especially old ones - and not necessarily debilitating. People and dogs get it too, but it's more serious/debilitating for them.

 

You may want the give Mark a call at Rapco Parts Company he had some frames the last time we spoke.