Alright I have a quick question that I just am having trouble with.

I have a 83 CJ7 and I am thinking of extending the wheelbase, but the problem is I am just not sure what to do. I am currently swapping in a dana 60/70 combo so I want to do all the work at once.

At first I thought of extending the frame and running longer leaves, but then my departure angle would suffer. So what I am thinking now is running a 1/4 elliptic set up, but I am not sure how far I can move the axle back. I know that alot of spring packs run are in the 35 inch range for this and then attached to the frame of the CJ before the bend. Is there anyway that you can get a longer wheelbase out of a 1/4 elliptic setup without cutting the frame?

Thanks for the help :beer:

Well, 1/4 illiptical aside, you can get a couple inches extra wheel base by redrilling your springs to relocate the pins, then use a little longer shackle to fix the angles.

Cheap and easy. I like it....;)

KC_Jones,

I heard that drilling them is a pain and some in another thread suggested against it so I was looking for other ways.

I am sure I can do it, but curious as to the proper steps to do it right since I have never seen it done.

The help is appreciated...

Originally posted by BigBlueCJ
KC_Jones,

I heard that drilling them is a pain and some in another thread suggested against it so I was looking for other ways.

I am sure I can do it, but curious as to the proper steps to do it right since I have never seen it done.

The help is appreciated...

Well, other than redrilling, you could get rid of the perches on your axles, and reweld other perches that have more holes, which will enable you to move the axle back or forth on the existing pins. Or, just redrill the perches for a 1 inch gain either way. That would be real cheap and easy.

Sounds good, never thought of the perch idea seems like you could get 4 or so inches out of it if you redrill that and the springs...thanks for the help

Originally posted by BigBlueCJ
Sounds good, never thought of the perch idea seems like you could get 4 or so inches out of it if you redrill that and the springs...thanks for the help

instead of redrilling spring try to find some springs with offset center pins. Search for XJ cherokee rear springs, wagoneer springs, f-150 rear springs, and toyota rear springs. All these have offset center pins that will let you get more wheelbase without hurting approach/departure angles.

Wagoneer and toyata springs are both about 47" long with 2-2.5" offset center pin and should bolt in with some longer shackles. So with offset drilled spring perches and some bolt on springs you could easily get 4-6" of exta wheelbas.

Give us an idea of how much wheelbase you want, or what size tire you plan on running. ie. do you want a few inches or a foot+?

WhereTF did you ever see it recomended to re-drill springs on this board?? I seriously doubt it. Talk about a quick way to kill em :shaking:

you can gain about 9" of WB in your cj just by re-locating the spring/shackle hangers. take the front one all the way to the bumper, take the rear all the way to the end of the frame. run an offset center pin spring. should net you in the 100-106" range depending on spring choice

Sceep
I wasnt sure about the drilling of the springs , but now that I have that info I wont do it...thanks. :beer:

Any advise on springs that would work good with this set-up that would give good flex?


kid pete,
I am thinking I want to run about 104" since I am planning on going to some 40" or 42" tires. Around here you do alot of steep climbs so I am trying to get it more stable.


Thanks for the all the info...

Originally posted by sceep
WhereTF did you ever see it recomended to re-drill springs on this board?? I seriously doubt it. Talk about a quick way to kill em

Why do you ill advise drilling the springs?? Does it weaken them? I cant see how a 3/8" hole can make that big of a difference.

Originally posted by KC_JoNeS


Why do you ill advise drilling the springs?? Does it weaken them? I cant see how a 3/8" hole can make that big of a difference.


Dood. Its spring steel. Any holes in that area (near the u-bolts) is going to make a HUGE difference. I'd wager $20 that when it broke it would be right at the hole, and another $10 that it wouldnt hold up for once a week wheeling more than 2 months.

Unless of course you are wheelin at the mall.


do a search on "drilling springs", this has been covered so many times. It is a BIG no-no.