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Narrow Track 30 To Gain Turning Radius?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 71CJ54WD, Feb 14, 2021.

  1. Feb 15, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    The spring plates won't change caster angle. That is determined by the leaf springs, shackles, and the configuration of the axle housing itself.
     
  2. Feb 15, 2021
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    Right. So the axle brackets on the 72 Dana 30 are at the wrong angle. Any idea how many degrees shim I need?
     
  3. Feb 15, 2021
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Someone correct me if I am wrong .
    I “think” D30 spring perched were welded on for universal applications. That implies they are perpidicular to the knuckle pivot centers.
    So that would explain why castor shims were a standard item.
    Factory intermediates had a 5* shim
     
  4. Feb 15, 2021
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Drilling the spring plates will not effect the caster, it will just make the edges of your spring plates thin. Your caster will depend on everything else, is it correct now? My factory caster with my 2 1/2" lift and dana 27 was only 1*-2* at most. It never got better when I installed the dana 30, I had to install shims to make it return like its suppose to. A 71 with its Ross steering probably never had 3* caster from the factory.
     
  5. Feb 15, 2021
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Generally you want about 6°. Bolt it in and check with an angle finder on a level surface. Then order shims from Mcruff...
     
  6. Feb 15, 2021
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Another bolt in project, full of ceep.
     
  7. Feb 15, 2021
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    Alright if I decide to grab this axle I'll swing it in and check the caster. Right now whatever the caster is gives me sufficient return to center or at least I can say I'm not complaining. For how little I drive the thing I should just add washers to the stops and run it the way it is for the next decade and then make any changes.
     
  8. Feb 17, 2021
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
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    i feel your pain, bought a builder 30 two years ago and haven’t done anything but take it apart. Still driving the 27 with 11” brakes making wide turns.
     
  9. Feb 17, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    if you can turn sharp, it anit a jeep. (please don't take this seriously, just joking around, don't want another fight. i for one got spacers to help with this, so i can't really talk)
     
  10. Feb 25, 2021
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
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    Is that an absolute? I don’t recall shortening mine. Had to change the yoke on the differential though.
     
  11. Feb 25, 2021
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    The Dana 30 pinion was longer and I didn’t have enough slip joint. It bottomed out.
     
  12. Mar 6, 2021
    4dawudz

    4dawudz Dale

    ADK NORTHERN New...
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    I changed to a 30 just for that reason, to steer sharper...it turned out the wheel back spacing has more to do than axle width. I didn't want to do it but the only way...well one way that I chose was to add 1.25" spacers, I used the best quality ones I could find and installed as recommended, so far (4 years) I am very pleased! Check often and keep everything tight!

    Another option would go to custom backspaced wheels...so do you go with 4-5-6 wheels so as not to have a funny spare???

    Dale
     
  13. Mar 8, 2021
    4dawudz

    4dawudz Dale

    ADK NORTHERN New...
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    As an add note I do have a wide track 30, but now that would go the other way...to wide??? I like the narrowness for maneuvering around in the woods \/ making alternate routs and such. but that's what killed the CJ line of jeeps in the '80's...V8s, narrow track and lack of driving skills!!!

    Dale
     
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