CJ to YJ springs

[Scooby333]

I've been hearing that swapping the CJ springs to the YJ springs make the jeep ride more smoother. How many other people have done this?

I was looking through my catalogs about kits to perform this. It says that the kits convert your 2 in to 2 1/2 in. Well I measured my shackles and srings and my front is the 2", but my back springs are already 2 1/2".

I have an 80 CJ7 jeep. Can someone who has a YJ tell me what their width is for the front and the rear? If I already have the same shackle and spring width in the rear, I guess I would just have to change the front.

Do the CJ's and the YJ's have the same spring width and shakles in the rear and only the front are different?

[Peter_C]

Notice the length of the springs...
http://www.4x4spot.com/misc__spring_information.htm

[Cheepin]

YJ's springs are 2.5" front and rear.They are also 46" long with the pin in the center.CJ on the '80 are 2" in front and 2.5" in rear.Springs are 45" long with pins centered.So WB will grow about an inch.Yes they are way softer!
I swapped in stock YJs SOA on my CJ.Back will bolt in.In front the spring will bolt in in the spring hanger.On the shackle hanger side I used 4, 1/8" washer to space out the shackle.I love this set up over the 4" lift CJ springs I had.

[Tippy]

You can also try these on the front. I used a set on my CJ so I could run a set of Wrangler springs:

linky thingy (http://www.jksmfg.com/spring_hangers.htm)

[JDunn]

I run 1.5" YJ springs front and rear. The back was just a swap the front I got a shackle that went from 2" at the frame to 2.5" at the spring. These springs are soft and flexy I love them they work fine with my 35" claws. I also cut the front finders to be flat and the back is cut out.

JDunn

[SonoraBob]

I did the YJ spring swap. I used the above referenced JKS spring hangers.

At first I used stock YJ's. Way too soft. And I needed some more lift.

Then I went to 2" BDS YJ's. I kept bending the rear springs.

I now run 2" CJ's in the rear, and have not had any problems since.

[Dune Runner]

I did the YJ spring swap. I used the above referenced JKS spring hangers.

At first I used stock YJ's. Way too soft. And I needed some more lift.

Then I went to 2" BDS YJ's. I kept bending the rear springs.

I now run 2" CJ's in the rear, and have not had any problems since.

What was causing you to bend them?

[1972CJ5+1]

If you don't mind doing a bit of fabrication, you do have some other options. There are a number of springs that could be a good choice for your rig. An FSJ, XJ or toyota spring is longer and offset. You can gain a smoother ride as well as some wheelbase without changing too much else. Keep in mind your shock length and driveshaft length might be an issue. If you are willing to weld on new mounts there are many options avilable. Here's a link to some good spring info: Spring Stuff (http://www.4x4spot.com/spring_swap_info.htm) It may be of some use to you and your swap.

[SonoraBob]

What was causing you to bend them?


My Scrambler has a 33 gallon tank. I think the extra weight did them in. It was always the passenger side spring.

[NE-RokToy]

My Scrambler has a 33 gallon tank. I think the extra weight did them in. It was always the passenger side spring.

I'm going to make a wild guess and assume you didnt have a traction bar when bending the springs?

I would go with new shackle hangers in the front if I had the money, just because the stock hangers are weak.

[DDawg16]

I also used stock YJ springs. In the front I used stock rear spring hangers, drilled out the rivet and moved it forward 1". Great ride. About the best flex you can get for the money.

A little advice...don't use stock spring perches...someone makes a slightly longer one that will help reduce spring wrap (though a traction bar is still a good idea).

You will need to weld on new shock mounts...don't do the dorky thing by using your original spring plates on top. Stock spring plates from a Cherokee work perfect.

Use stock rubber bushings. Poly squeaks, breaks and transmits all of the road vibration. New rubber will drive just as well as poly.