Alright,

I pulled the rear axle out of the CJ5 on Saturday to move it back, and decided that Dakota springs are my "most attractive" option and I have a couple of questions. (I'm sure Dean will come to my aid! :D )

Anyway, here goes.

The dakota spring is 54"? long correct? If I use the stock "pivot" mount/spring mount, how far back will I have to add to the frame?

My idea is to get a piece of 4x4 tube (1/4 wall) and bolt it onto my back crossmember, then take my shackle mount, and bolt it vertically on the back of the crossmember. (I'll probably weld it, and maybe put some re-enforcement "strap" from the top of the frame to the "new" crossmember?)

I guess I'm having trouble knowing where/what to measure to get the proper distance between the two eyes.

Assistance? Anyone? :)

Thanks!
Out

Well lets think about this. Stock spring is 44" and the Dakota is 54" so that means you will need to move the rear mount back 10". Don't do that. Add your 4x4, hang the spring there and then put on a new front hanger on the frame where it needs to be. Lest talk about the 2 spring hangers in the middle or your Jeep. (assuming don't have a reverse shackle) So measure the distance from the hanger for the front springs back to the rear hanger and right that down. Do this on both sides because they might be a little off. Now you can hange the spring and locate the axle where you want it then weld on the new brackets. With the measurements you took say 24" between the two on the left - the extra 6" of new spring. Now go to the other side and say it was 23 7/8". Take the 6" off that and weld it on. I do it this way so that it drives the same way as it did and not try to fix something that I think might be wrong.

Originally posted by 66CJdean
. Add your 4x4, hang the spring there and then put on a new front hanger on the frame where it needs to be.

I understand everything except this sentence. How do I know where it needs to be? If there is no weight on the vehicle, do I just put it the 54" from the eye? Or how do I measure?

I guess I'm concerned that if I weld the front hanger to close to the rear, my shackle will not ride at a 90 (or so) degree angle, the bottom of the shackle will be pushed back more. In the inverse, if I weld the front hanger to far forward, the shackle won't hit 90 degrees.

An easier way of saying it, is this: If my stock spring is 44, and the "stock" spring mount to spring mount is 44, can I just measure 54" from my "new" shackle mount forward for placement of the front (still rearward) spring hanger?

Confused? I am. :flipoff2:

Thanks for your help Dean, I knew you'd come to the rescue.

What I mean is once you add the 4x4 you can then see how far back that will move the shackle, lets say 4" back you can then subtract that from the 10" you gain with the offset of the center pin. Now to get a better idea of where you place the front hanger it will be 6" ahead of the hanger that is already there. (the front hanger for the rear springs that is) Then trim the fender to fit for the tire or don't move the tire back that far. What I am saying is that you will need to move both mounts or at least understand if you don't it will move the tire back 10" and if you are fine with that then go for it.

hows the spring rate on those dakota springs dean? add/remove any leafs from the pack?:beer:

Very soft. They need some help for sure. I like the ones I got form JC Whitney that I put on the rear. I added an old 2" add-a-leaf to then and that is it and they have really lasted.

:D thanks dean. i guess they were stock replacements from jc whitney. i think i'll check those out.:beer: