Holbrook's on flatties

Anyone install CJ5 Holbrooks with reversed shackles on a flat fender? Are the front frame hangers out so far they are a problem with the stock bumber location?

 

Warloch has 'em on his, but I don't think they're reversed.

 

If you talk to Ed and Gary they don't recommend using them in a shackle reversal. Having said that, I had them on the front of the race Jeep with a shackle reversal and they were awesome. I got a LOT of nose dive, more than a normal reversal, but I attribute that to the flexibility of the springs. I have not installed the CJ-5 springs on a flatfender frame though.


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I understand the Holbrooks are about 6" longer than stock and that would make the CJ5 version about a foot longer than stock if used in a flat fender. If used without reversed shackles, would not the front shackles be sticking out in front of the bumper several inches, especially at full stuff? Seems like a good recipe for a bent/broken spring. I may also have some problems with the rear frame hangers and the cross member trying to be in the same place at the same time-the jury is still out on that one but wouldn't be too much trouble to build a new cross member.

 

The CJ-5 version is 52" on the rear and 46.5" on the front.............and its seems like your moving the mounts inboard about 7" on the back and 6" on the front.................the flatfender's are 49" rear and 46" front. And Warlock is right the fronts have an offset center bolt to place the front axle on the curve of the spring to add angle to the pinion..............the rears come with steel wedges.

 

On the Holbrook Long Leaf Springs the alignment pins are offset so the added length of both front and rear springs is placed inboard towards the center of your rig. If you use Springs designed for a Cj5 on a flattie you will have to accommodate for some extra spring length on the outboard section of the spring on both the front and the rear.

 

Yes, I am completely aware of the offset pins on the Holbrooks but if you use CJ5 springs on a flat fender, the mountings have to be moved on both ends, whether or not stock or Holbrooks, if you want to maintain the stock wheelbase. The Holbrooks will just move the inboard mounts that much more. From tarry99's dimensions, fitting the front frame mount will not be a problem. A 1/4" isn't going to even be noticeable, reversed or otherwise.

 

I do not know if there will be an interference where the two inboard mounts converge. I do know that Chrysler cars mounted their rear leaf springs at an angle, with the fronts closer together than the rear. Supposed to help reduce body roll without increasing the spring rate. Might be a soft spring consideration whether the mounts conflict or not.
For what it's worth.

 

The Holbrooks are a great spring for off road and ride comfort..... but are somewhat soft ( body lean wise ) in the turns on pavement............ Warlock has mentioned he uses an adjustable shock both front & rear for on pavement control..........I put an Intermediate CJ sway bar in the front of mine for same.