As a newbie, traveled in from SWBBBS, I got a question I'm sure most of you can answer. I'm currently doing a frame off on my 79 CJ5. I'm addin D44s fr/rr and SOA with JCWhitney hd 7leaf rear CJ springs.
I'm wantin to move my rear axle back without addin more frame or a great amount of other mods. How far back can I move the rear axle back before I bash the the gas tank? I was think about moving the rear axle back about 5". By moving it back this far will I have to raise the tank or can I leave it be without crushin it.

When I'm doing major mods like that I always find it's best to mock it up the best I can and check it out myself. There are too many differences between the rigs out there to say for sure what will work on your jeep.

Originally posted by JeepTJ1062
As a newbie, traveled in from SWBBBS, I got a question I'm sure most of you can answer. I'm currently doing a frame off on my 79 CJ5. I'm addin D44s fr/rr and SOA with JCWhitney hd 7leaf rear CJ springs.
I'm wantin to move my rear axle back without addin more frame or a great amount of other mods. How far back can I move the rear axle back before I bash the the gas tank? I was think about moving the rear axle back about 5". By moving it back this far will I have to raise the tank or can I leave it be without crushin it.

don't know how the cj5 comprares to the cj7, but i'll guess they're pretty similar. if that's the case, you can't move your axle back more than like 2 inches. i had to raise my tank (put it in the cab) when i moved my axle back. had an AMC20 that rubbed the tank to begin with.
i agree with oldmanscj7 tho, the best way to find out is to get under there and look around and mock it up. every jeep is different.

tie a nut on a piece of string. hang the string from the front of the tank with the nut dangling and see how much farther foward the axle is. thats how far you can move it back without any other mods. ;)

Originally posted by FULLSIZE
tie a nut on a piece of string. hang the string from the front of the tank with the nut dangling and see how much farther foward the axle is. thats how far you can move it back without any other mods. ;)

Rocket science for the newbie:D

Nah, not that much of rocket science to me. I figured I'd have to move the tank. Any suggestions on a fuel cell? What ohms does the Jeep tank have?

Originally posted by FULLSIZE
tie a nut on a piece of string. hang the string from the front of the tank with the nut dangling and see how much farther foward the axle is. thats how far you can move it back without any other mods. ;)

Keeping in mind that the axle will move rearwards as the spring compresses.

only with arched springs.;)

I can't say for sure (haven't done it myself) but I have SEARCH-ed all over this web site, and it seems the general consensus is that with those springs and a spring over with a smaller axle like the 44, you shouldn't be able to get the rear suspention to compress enough to hit the tank without jumping the Jeep. If you have a body lift you can easily move the stock tank higher in the frame for added room.

Use the search button - there's alot of info out there.