Returning Back To Day One On A 72 Cj5

I have decided that I would like to return a 72 CJ back to original suspension. It has a lift and it doesn't warrant it. No more rocks and few trails left in the frame, and I want to keep it as a summer daily and pub driver for as long as possible before I have to replace the frame. It currently has a what I believe is 2.5 or 3 inch lift with 31x15's tires. The owners manual claimed original 7.35 or 8.55 X 15's, what tires can I get to fit those specs that might reasonably match the originals? Same question on wheels?

My main concern is the do over seems pretty much remove and replace hardware. I do have a 72 tech manual on its way in the mail so hopefully there will be some good pics of how it looked. I am no suspension guy, but can read directions and remove and replace items well enough. Is there anything about this task that is going to surprise me other than rusty parts and leaky oil drops in my face?,

Final technical questions:
What will be the actual off ground height? That I can't seem to get a real answer on. Or where to measure it from? At the rockers off the deck? Axel, frame to body?

When researching getting the leafs, the web site offered at least 2 options for leaf numbers, one I believe is a 5, another was a 10. Does anyone know for sure, what would have been the original setup? I am thinking 5 as I am pretty sure 10 would be a pretty tight ride, but, any info. would be appreciated.

Any advice, or suggestions at all will help before I get into something I shouldn't have. Thanks


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I picked 15x7 American Racing AR62 Outlaw II wheels and 205/75R-15 Goodyear Assurance All-Season SL tires as being approximately the same size as the largest stock tire size you could have had in '74, based on the tire options table in the Service Manual. I am also trying to 2" spacers on each wheel, to increase the stability, but that's not very stock.

Do you have the 62-74 parts catalog from here Jeep® Parts Manuals online at the link at the top?

 

Jeep offered standard suspension and optional heavy duty suspension. The standard for 1972 was probably 7 in front and 5 in the rear, and the heavy duty was 10 leaves front and rear. The leaf count does not tell you everything though, since the leaf thickness and arch also affect the ride and height.

Here are the original springs from my 1975 Jeep -



This Jeep had 9 leaves in the front and 5 in the rear. I believe that the 5-leaf with the two thick overloads was used as standard equipment for the entire era, 1972-75.

There has been some discussion lately of General Spring, which seems to be a new vendor of prebuilt springs site:earlycj5.net general spring - Bing You can also contact custom spring makers like Deaver or Alcan or maybe someone local.

 

Regarding tires, most came with H78-15 Goodyear Polyglas Suburbanites. The smaller street tires were offered simply to get the list price down, IMO... or possibly for purchasers who would replace the original tire with their preferred tire and wheel. The option list was long and included lots of stuff most people would consider standard equipment. Something like a BFG 235/75R15 would be a good substitute BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

 

You might want to check the steering geometry when the springs are done. Don't want the Jeep wondering when driving down the road.

 

Regarding steering geometry, if you find wedge-shaped shims under your axle pads, remove them when you go back to factory height. Unless your front axle is bent or broken, OEM style parts will restore the original steering geometry which is mostly welded-in to the front axle. You can, however, center the steering, and adjust the toe-in.

 

You will most likely have to place a shim in with the springs in the factory frame mounts. Intermediate springs came with wider bushings that wore out on the way home from the dealer. The springs being able to slide side to side in the mounts is what adds to the "squishy" suspension feeling associated with intermediates.

 

I don't see the justification to replace all the springs etc when you state the frame is shot.
Maybe it's just me.......

 

Thanks for all the great info. Knew I could count on members to come through!

 

"Something like a BFG 235/75R15 would be a good substitute BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2"

Good advice timgr...the T/A KO is what I used on mine. I may have used a 70, instead of a 75, but I don't remember exactly.

 

I bought rears for my '85 GMC from them and am happy so far, with about 18 months and 6-8,000 miles on them.

 

Holy cow that blue CJ is gorgeous!

 

Thanks...It was my pride and joy.

Unfortunately, I had to sell it prior to the move to SE Asia. Sold it to a guy in Florida. Hopefully he kept it original, as my goal was to bring it back to factory original.

Evidently he's not a member here.