Got the family M38A1 back. Front 2-leaf boingers chatter, hop, skip, bump.

What's the story on these 2-leaf springs? I learned to drive in this Jeep years ago, but never wheeled it much. I aired it down to 15 (not really low, I know) today and messed around on the dirthill out back. The front behaves badly. My stock CJ-6 doesn't do all this hop 'n skip nonsense.

 

The M38A1 has a shackle reversal, the CJ6 does not. I wonder if that is the difference.

 

Good point, maybe. Think they're actually stock that way. Didn't catch it, haven't messed with heeps in way too long!

 

Oh, yeah, she's in good shape. Needs a front wheel cylinder and a brake pressure switch, that's about it. Need to try to come up with some more room for the driver (me) though. 6' tall is a bit tight.

6 is either going up for sale or getting a big beefy frame and cage built and getting the locked one ton V8 drivetrain and 38"s or maybe the 44"s out of my blazer...hmm...maybe set aside the M38 4popper, keep it for original and drop the 6's V6 in it...

 

Looks to be in good shape! I like the hood stripes

 

That's original oldschool paint, probably from the 60's. I'm going to see about getting it repainted the same way.

 

I'd leave it just the way it is. It looks great!

 

Were the two sets of hood hold downs something added?

 

Those are not original M38A1 springs, I'm sure you know. Stock pack was about 10 leaves.

And where are the battery box and slave receptacle? Definitely M38A1 though.

 

Eric, the pictures make it look better than it is. We'll see.

Techno, I don't know, that'd be something my gpa would do though.

Pete, yeah I imagine they're some stiff old Ranchos or something. I think the two thick leaves don't have enough overall thickness and promote spring wrap.

Batt box and slave recep were shaved way back when.

 

The tub has been replaced at some time or another, hasn't it?

 

I very seriously doubt it. Why?

 

Because the battery box is missing from the cowling and the apu indentation is missing from the passenger side between the door and the front wheel well.

 

They were shaved (welded over and smoothed off) many years ago.

 

I don't think they are Rancho springs. I have the old Rancho springs. They were really stiff. So I took the second to top leaf out. It made a better ride. That bottom leaf you have there looks like the one I took out.

 

yea they probrobly took out most of the leaves to make it a softer ride

 

Hey guys, I'm back. The tires pictured came apart from age/rot. We also got the Jeep painted - but no pics until we get the next step completed. :-D

I want to put some Hercules HDTs on it, pretty sure the Jeep is geared 5.38, so I'd like to do 7.50-16s, as long as they fit....????

http://www.herculestire.com/tire-gallery/commercial/specialty/hdt/

The current wheels are too wide, was going to order some 6" wide steelies from Summit. 3.625" backspacking, can anyone comment on how that backspacing should work? A little spring rub isn't a big deal.

Thank You

 

Those HDTs look great. They've got somewhat of an old and narrow look. Cost?

 

http://simpletire.com/hercules-hdt-bias-lug-tires