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Another Leafspring Thread

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jeepstar, Sep 25, 2021.

  1. Sep 25, 2021
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    I was happily minding my own business yesterday, exploring newly logged areas, when I hit a stump. hit my diff dead on, brought me to an immediate stop. I looked it over, seemed good, got out of the middle of nowhere and back to blacktop to really inspect for damages. the passenger side axle was pushed back to the point of the front shackle was pointing nearly front to back. using a tow strap, and the high lift, I wrapped the tow strap low down on the shackle, then using the front bumper I was able to jack it back to the normal position. started looking everything else over carefully and noticed that the leaf spring itself was broken!! drove home at 5mph, praying to make it to my cabin. thankfully I did. now the question is what to get? bds is my option I'm leaning towards. you guys think now is the time for a 2.5" lift, or just keep it stock? now is also the perfect time to put in the 6degree shims from the dana 30 swap I just did.
     
    Norcal69 likes this.
  2. Sep 25, 2021
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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  3. Sep 25, 2021
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    the before pic:

    Resized_Resized_20210924_104324.jpeg
     
    Twin2 likes this.
  4. Sep 25, 2021
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Wow! I think next time you'll know to only creep along when you go through places like that. :D BDS seems to be popular, I'm sure they would be fine.
     
    Alan28 and jeepstar like this.
  5. Sep 25, 2021
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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  6. Sep 25, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I was able to buy just the BDS springs from Bob Supplee. He's no longer in business, but you might be able to buy just the fronts or just the spring kit if you call BDS. You could also buy replacement springs from Dayton, though they will likely be imported. Note that this can mean Mexico or Canada or such, not necessarily China. These are probably Dayton - 1955 - 1975 CJ5, CJ6, DJ5, DJ6 front leaf spring - 10 leaf, 1130 lb capacity

    Back in the day, some media people wanted to run a Baja race in the new 1972 Renegade. The dealership prepared the Jeep for them, and welded blocks on the side of the frame that prevented the front shackles from going over center. It was to prevent just this type of damage. The actual fiberglass bodied Jeepster race cars ("Holy Toledo" and stable) had reversed shackles.
     
    jeepstar likes this.
  7. Sep 25, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I would recommend the BDS 2.5” lift it your still considering coming out and running Rubicon with us.
     
    jeepstar and iharding like this.
  8. Sep 25, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I bought a Series Land Rover about 12 years back that was wrecked in the front. They lost the brakes and ran into a concrete wall at about 30 mph. The front bumper was fairly intact, but both frame rails were sharply bent upward directly above the front axle. Both front leaf springs were snapped in half right behind the u-bolts for the axle, breaking all 11 leaves. The spring breaks were pointed to the ground.
    The front driveshaft pushed the transfer case back, splitting the transmission case it was bolted to.
    You only broke a single leaf, mine had broken 11 leaves on each spring. I wouldn't have wanted to be driving when that happened!
    -Donny
     
  9. Sep 25, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,593
    BDS are military wrap, so it would have had two leaves where you broke the main leaf. Although you can break two leaves, it gives a little more safety factor.
     
  10. Sep 28, 2021
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    wow. ordered leaf springs yesterday from bds, they will be here by 7pm tonight!
     
    Jonbbrew likes this.
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