I have a mild CJ5 that needs some work. The frame is
cracked/rewelded in a few places. (very poor welds)
the rear d-line is about 11" long, and I don't think the
rig could afford any more suspension lift. it has drum
brakes front/rear.

here is what I'm thinking.

using a cj-7 frame (the added wheelbase will be utilized
more in the rearr than the front).

I have a chevy d-60 I can shorten for the front.
I have a 14bolt I can shorten for the rear.

The problem with all this is the trans is a turbo-hydro 350
and the transfercase is a dana18. (passenger-side rear
output shaft)

I would need to install a dana300 transfercase for the
centered rear d-line.

I'll have quite a bit of sheetmetal trimming in the rear
needed. I posted a request for input on this already.

I'd kind of like to do a 1/4 elip rear suspension, and a
shackle-reverse regular spring over front. What would
you all have to add for input on any of this??

thanks in advance,

--Sherpa

I had a CJ5 I just sold. I wanted to keep it, and if I did my plan was somewhat similar to your idea, but run coils in back on the original CJ5 frame. I was going to mount them at the very end of the frame w/ a 3 link to locate them. The wheel wells would have been cut straight back, at the highest point. I think the rear axle would have been 14" back from original position, or something like that. I think it would be killer, good wheelbase, small rig, and bitchen departure angle! DO IT!!

build a frame out of 3/16's 2x4 steel. you couls add as much wheelbase as you want. you could also built it so that it matches the front dana60's spring width. slide the front forward a couple of inches and slide the rear back about 15". you could go coils or go the simple route and stick with leaves.