Springover with stock springs?

'71 CJ-6

Thinking about doing a SOA with my stock springs so I don't have to relocate any mounts - but will they flex? Thinking about taking a couple leaves out of the packs to make it softer/lower. I want the susp to flex more, the frame less, and get a little lift. Or should I just go to YJ springs or something? Thanks

 

Well, you're working with a couple of different things here.
SOA, will it flex more? Probably. But there is also a couple of things that go with a SOA. Spring are still 1.75" wide not as stable as the wider one. You will also have issues with steering, not exactly an off the shelf high-steer kit out there for a D27.
Do you already have a front mounted cross-over steering, if not that is probably another upgrade for a SOA to work correctly.

Probably not a good idea in a SOA. There is already going to be a spring wrap problem and this will make it worse. Yes, a traction bar will cure the problem but a SOA is going to be a lot more tipsy and pulling spring will make it worse. A sway bar might help if this is the route choice.
http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/axlewrap/
http://www.sams4x4store.com/index.html

Yes, the stock noodle frame, the only way to stop it from flexing is:
1. box it
2. to tie the rollcage into it.
Welding the cage straight to the frame, not recommended because it will crack out in street use.
or
tie the cage to the frame using poly bushing. The cage will act as a truss and limit the frame movement but the poly bushings will still allow the body and frame to flex separately (a little) and stop most vibrations from being transfered into the body.
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Cage-Tie-In-Kit-p-433.html

I know it's not sexy or exotic, but a 2.5 in lift will do wonders. 2.5" of lift will fit 33" and this is as much or more than the D27 can take (look into knuckle studs). 33" tire will also do 90% of all trails out there, unless you want to do extreme rock crawling, then there is more mods than just a SOA.
http://www.earlycj5.com/technical/axles/

This will require new spring mounts, U-bolt plates, spring pads, bushing, bla bla bla., got them there fab skillz? Simple would be 2.5" stock style springs until you know what you want.

 

Oops. I forgot to mention that I'm not a newbie, been wheeling for years, built different vehicles, run a machine/weld shop, could have saved you bit of typing, but thanks. All good info, maybe others will benefit and I will check out the links.

I just haven't dealt with these older short thick pack spring jeeps before. On one hand, short springs supposedly don't flex as well, but on the other hand, desert racers use packs of many small leaves like these and mine does ride awful good for an old jeep. If I were to do an SOA, I would be going power steering, traction bars, etc. I just can't make up my mind how far I wanna go with this one.

 

dude, if you know what your doing and know what you want ,,,, then do it.


if it dosen't work ,,,,,,,,, change it

 

Yeah, yeah, I know....why you gotta go and be all brutally honest and to the point? R)

 

thats how I roll .

 

Get rid of the stock narrow springs.