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Leaf Springs-enlighten Me

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by 73 cj5, Dec 3, 2018.

  1. Dec 4, 2018
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,593
    Yup minimal modification :D I am just not sure how easy it is to move the spring hangers on a 3b frame (other than the typical cut and reweld in new location). Like maybe there are other things mounted on the frame that would get in the way - or if its too short? Maybe you could use ecj5 springs on the front and 3b springs on the rear? I don't know my way around a flatfender. What I do know is the BDS set-up works really well both on the road and off and I believe the spring width is the same as the 3b - so you don't need to do too much other stuff than move hangers. But if moving spring hangers is too much modification or isn't really possible due to frame length, then there are all standard aftermarket lift kit suppliers like rancho and superlift and pro-comp - and I would guess they would provide a more than sufficient 2" or so lift kit that would function quite well - this is what I would probably do, but I am a bit conservative with my mods.
     
  2. Dec 4, 2018
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
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    4,460
    Ordered straight from Holbrook. A little grinding but the springs will work and I don't think it hurt their strength-not too much load on that military wrap-unless the rest fails.
     
  3. Dec 4, 2018
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    I will pass this information on to them. I believe they were having the springs drop shipped directly to the purchaser. FWIW Holbrook Specialties has been sold and is now owned by someone else. David is still working there. Ed and Gary are retired. Gary holds the ownership to the springs and they are now being sold through R&P Early Jeeps at 503-557-8911 or 503-504-7011 cell (Richard who was one of the original owners of the old R&P 4x4 Parts Inc).
    I should be meeting Richard next week sometime so will pass on the issues Duffer.
    Regarding the spring hangars, I'm sure they are simply supplying what is available without having custom units made to keep costs down. Custom springs are not inexpensive to have made. And yes, they are made in Portland, OR, not overseas.
    I'm sorry for the issues Duffer. Like I said, I will pass the info on.
     
  4. Dec 4, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    How much work are you planning to do to the frame? I'd seriously consider replacing the front frame horns from the crossmember, out. They flex and crack around the xmember in stock configuration. Longer springs and bigger tires add umpteen times more stress to them. While you're at it, you can place them at a higher location to get less lift out of a spring-over if you want.
     
  5. Dec 5, 2018
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,137
    My frame horns and crossmember are wrecked already; probably couldn't make it worse.
    I was thinking 1/8 or 3/16 plate to box the frame. Replace the crossmember with something other than the OE stuff.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  6. Dec 5, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    It is possible to put a CJ-5 frame under a flatty. There is an article on the CJ-3B page. One approach lets the extra length hang out the back and be hidden/camouflaged by a rear "bumper." CJ-5 Frame Modification on CJ3B.info Seems to my like CJ-5 frames or rolling chassis are easy to find.
     
  7. Dec 5, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Aug 13, 2015
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    That frame. o_O
     
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  8. Dec 5, 2018
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
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    That’s the only major damage I saw on it. Should be fine with some mending.

    @timgr I rarely find frames in much better shape than my current one but it’s something to think about.
     
    Hellion likes this.
  9. Dec 5, 2018
    RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    Central MN
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2007
    Messages:
    515
    51BDA2F3-8A1C-4814-955D-D6E4A645E33B.jpeg I don't have any real info on new springs but I can say I currently run a sagged out and modified 4" Rancho in my 5. The fronts are stock and the rears have the 3 long rancho leaf's and 3 shorter stockers. My shackles are at about 45 degrees helps with ride quality. It is a very soft ride almost to soft on corners in town some passengers have said but they love it on the trail. Pic for shackle reference.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2018
    Hellion, 73 cj5 and ITLKSEZ like this.
  10. Dec 5, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    Here's my B on 33s with spring-over yj springs before I switched to a shackle reversal. It's hard to argue the flex and ride quality they offer.

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. Dec 5, 2018
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
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    What’s your opinion on shackle reversal?

    I would think it’d handle the terrain better at speed than shackle forward. (Neat dual shocks)

    I’m leaning towards the YJ springs now. I found a set of stock springs for $75. Used but supposedly in good shape
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2018
  12. Dec 5, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
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    I went shackle reversal for two main reasons.
    One, because I kept bending main springs by bashing into rocks (and other racers). The impact would bend the main leaf at 4" forward of the rear eye. Luckily, this was in the time when people were giving packs away for free as they were swapping lift springs into their YJs; I'll bet I went through 8-10 sets before going shackle reversal. I haven't had any issue since.

    The second reason was due to road use. I didn't run a sway bar on this jeep, and it would lean hard in corners. With the front shackle in the front and rear shackle in the rear, when it would lean, it would self-steer like a skateboard. The outside (weighted) springs would compress to flat (or just past), and the unweighted springs would droop in different directions. It wasn't noticeable in corners (where you were steering anyway), but sections of road that had camber changes were downright scary. It would dart into a different direction with predictable unpredictability. Switching the front shackles to the rear caused the axles to swing in the same direction. Majorly noticeable change. It still was a floppy handful at speed, but at least it is now manageable and predictable.
     
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  13. Dec 5, 2018
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
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    Sep 19, 2004
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    I put them to use on my 73 (thanks again).
     
  14. Dec 6, 2018
    GeorgiaFlattie

    GeorgiaFlattie Member

    Canton, GA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2017
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    69
    Around here people basically give away CJ-5 frames and an entire rolling chassis can be had really cheap.
     
  15. Dec 6, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I had seen M38A1 frames on G503, so I looked there and found one in a recent parts ad (in Utah though). Too late - nobody wanted it, and the seller scrapped it. They are out there.
     
  16. Dec 6, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    You're welcome! Glad you could put them to work.
     
  17. Dec 8, 2018
    sgogpn

    sgogpn From the top of Lions Back... 2022 Sponsor

    Glendale, AZ.
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    Nov 20, 2002
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    I used stock CJ5 springs on my 47. The extra length gave me the ride and flex I was looking for. I like it so well Im going to do the same thing on my current 46 project. I left the front spring pivots in the stock location and half the shackle pivot hung past the end of the frame. I then made a front bumper out of 2x4 rectangle and butted it up against the end of the frame, so the shackle pivot got welded to the frame and bottom of the bumper, tying everything together. For the rear I moved the spring pivots forward by knocking the rivets out and moving the rear hole of the pivot to the front hole and then did the same for the rear bumper as the front, sharing the frame and bumper for the shackle pivot location. That centered the rear tire in the wheelwell, and gave me 1.5 to 2" of stretch in the front. It works really well.
    Here's a vid of a bunch of us in Moab. Go to the 17 minute mark and you'll see my flattie at work.




    FWIW,
    Mike
     
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  18. Dec 8, 2018
    RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    Central MN
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    Oct 23, 2007
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    Nice vid, mine is at the 14:43 mark for what it's worth.
     
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  19. Dec 8, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    Nov 14, 2014
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    561
    He called you a "Bully"! :lol:
     
  20. Dec 10, 2018
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
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    4,170
    I'm throwing this out there, for what its worth.
    I picked up a pair of springs in the U-pull yard a year ago with the intention of using them on the front of a '66 V6 CJ5. They look promising, but won't know until I get into it.
    They are rear leaf springs from a 1990s Mitsubishi Montero. The are 4 leaves, three with a fairly high arch, and a flat "overload" leaf on the bottom. They are 2 3/4" wide, and approximately 43 1/4" eye-to-eye. The reason they caught my eye is the center pin is offset, with approx 19"/23" to each end.
    My idea is to use that offset to push the front axle forward a couple inches, plus, the springs are pretty flexy, similar to stock YJ springs.
    Anyone else used anything like this before? Might be a cheap option ifyou are alrady reworking the spring perches.
    -Donny
     
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