yet more CJ-5 questions

Welp, seeing how i'm now past the point of no return on this thing:

1. Leaf spring swaps: This had been mentioned before in one of my other mindless threads, but at that time i just figured i'd run what i had. Well, now that i'm replacing the entire frame i figure why not upgrade while i'm at it. What is the popular swap here? I think (don't quote me though) TJ springs were mentioned, but can't remember for sure. How wide are these replacement/upgrade springs? Does it lift the jeep any? Same length as the stockers?

2. Shackle reversal: Everything i have read about this has said it makes the jeeps ride smoother and steer better. My question here is after swapping the shackles to the rear, does it effect ride height any? The front frame horns on my "5" frame sit higher than where the rear spring hanger is......one would think that reversing the shackles would point the pinion downward more. Any input?

3. Body/suspension bushings: I was reading through the "jeep owners bible" the other night about suspension upgrades and it got me to thinking. In one part of the book, it mentioned using stock rubber bushings to retain factory flex but in another section it mentions using poly bushings throughout to reduce flex. Which is better? I can see where using some poly bushings would help, but can also see the point of the stock rubber ones to keep flex/twist at a maximum. Input here?

That's all i can think of at the moment.....i know i had more ????'s, but this will do for now.

Any and all input.....as always.....is greatly appreciated

 

mornin Sparky

thanx for the links and info.....i feel like a stooge now not looking in the tech section. bet i scoured the web for over an hour and never thought to look there

 

I say go rubber for bushings especially body mounts. I know it sounds silly but rubber will break in and actually help absorb some road shock. The body is designed to be mounted using rubber. Go with it. I think rubber is cheaper anyhow, don't quote me on that though.

 

A well designed shackle rev. should leave your pinion angle about the same as it is now. It pretty much eliminated the road wander I had before. Also, it really sucks up the bumps off road. One thing that takes a little getting used to is the front end will dip a lot more when you hit the binders. http://www.mountainoffroad.com/ used to have a good writeup on their site re: shackle reversals. Also, you need to have a lot of compression available in the front driveline slip-joint as it will move a lot more than stock. I'm using a shaft with 4 1/2" of spline. You have to be certain that the slip joint will not bottom out on compression. I witnessed a TJ snap the tailhousing off of a TH350 because he bottomed out the driveshaft in a winching operation.

 

I'll have to recommend polyeurethane; At least something that doesn't crush. I have rubbery body mounts, and I swear I can feel the Jeep "Tip over" going around corners!

 

I had a 1970 ford 4x and replaced all the body bushes with poly and found the ride quality increased even with 9inch custom leaf packs in the rear for hauling wood. for my 5 I bought the energy susp. from my local parts house and they were only 16 bucks. my 5 is waaayyy off from being on the road but I wouldn't think the poly would be any rougher than the factory braided pads and will defifinitly stand up better to abuse and weather.

Happy Jeepin