1962 CJ5 (Opinions & Help)

Hello all,

I am extremely new to Jeeping in general, and I was given a 1962 CJ5. I bought a 4inch leaf spring lift kit with 1.5 inch shackles, but it doesn't appear to be a 5.5 inch lift (thank god). I was too caught up in having a big lifted Jeep after I realized it would be problematic, and throw off the geometry of the steering. It is lifted a little obviously, but no more than 4 inches I would assume. I am hoping to buy the tie rod kit from Herm the overdrive guy, so I can fix the issue i've got with serious toe on my front wheels. Currently my Jeep is in a few pieces (tub off, engine on chassis, etc.). I have some BF Goodrich 33's and I was wondering if I continue with adding the tie rod, mounting the tires, and finishing up the Jeep if she will be fine, or have I made a terrible mistake? I used my savings for the Jeep parts (I'm 16) so I'm down to about $800 and I was hoping to buy a soft top for her, but with the money i've got should I invest in the soft top or are the more pressing issues with my suspension, etc.? I'm using some Skyjacker Hydro 7000's by the way. Also if it helps, all my parts (axles, etc.) are bone stock.

Thank you for all your help in Advance!

 

I have the same lift as you on my 70 and shackles which measure 1" longer than stock. I recently put the body back on and used a tie rod flip insert from goferitoffroad. The steering is still at an angle but it seems ok. I don't have any issues with the toe. I have not installed a wiring harness so I can't speak on drive-ability yet.

Also, the springs need to settle. It took a good few months for the front shackles with the engine mounted to become vertical with it just sitting. Maybe that could change things also if you just recently installed the springs? And the body not being on.

In my opinion, I would say say that anything with the suspension or steering would take priority over the soft top. Leave it in the garage or buy a waterproof cover for it and make sure it's safe to drive. The tie rod flip it's very reasonable also. Hopefully this helped you some, I kinda did the same thing.

Still need bigger tires but:

 

I won't even try to speculate on what to do with your front end or suspension, but what's the purpose of having a top if it isn't drivable?

 

THe 4 inch lift with the 1.5" shackle well probably get you about a 4.75" lift...........I would ditch the longer shackles and go back to the stock height as the lift in itself will give you enough things to look at.

If you still have the old Ross buggy steering then you have already seen the issues with the tie rods & tires. The 33" should fit but barely.....more than likely they will hit the springs inboard while turning and may also give you some fits on fender well clearance both front and rear especially if the tire is bigger than a 9.50 width in size and the wheel offset is not to extreme .............a smaller diameter tire would help , but nothing is impossible and with trimming sheet metal perhaps adding a few other tricks it can be made to work....................

PICTURES WOULD BE GREAT!

 

Thank you very much!

 

Work on getting it drivable. Brakes, wiring, steering, a running Jeep that drives. Springs will settle in and you can always bolt on stock height shackles. Don't get caught up on tops, winches, lockers or tires until it runs and drives.

 

What Daryl said. Get it driving before you put a top on it.

 

im running the stock tie rod setup with a 4" lift and power steering conversion i did myself. simply re-indext the camero power pitman arm. been like this for many years. never a problem, on or off road, even in extreme rock crawling. when i first did it i was concerned about the angle of the tie rods but its been fine. handles great.