: I have aquired a 95 Jeep Wrangler YJ with a 2.5 for cheap. I want to use an axle I had set up for a J10 project I had going. It is set up for that truck, and SOA, I tried to physically measure the spring pad width, but got something different than the advertised spring perch width(supposed to be 31.5), something like 32". What would happen if I spread the springs in front the xtra 1 or 1 1/2" and just install the axle as is??? (funny handling, xcelerated bushing wear????) It would equate to like 1/2 to 3/4" per side the leaf spring would have to spread outward. This axle is set up for like 64.5 or 65" wide WMS to WMS, perfect for a jyard 9" from a 4wd Ford for the rear, Id just have to redrill for a 6 lug pattern. I also only want to run 35s now because of the 4 cyl, with an engine swap in the future when the 4 banger wears out (it runs awesome, but has 100k on it). I also have access to a 78-79 f250 housing without any internals.

you'll have to replace bushings more often...

If you wheel it it'll eventually tear off a shackle mount. Trust me ;)

Just one shackle mount? Which one? and how would I fix it to keep it from happening? :flipoff2:

OK, so it wont work,now I have to explore relocating spring hanger mounts, as I think it may be easier to outboard them a little, than basically manufacture another axle.

Originally posted by jslamerman
OK, so it wont work,

It'll work. My Ford 60 has the perches a little wide (I think .25" too much). I wallowed the holes a hair toward the center and the perch itself was wide enough to accomodate this. My shacles kick out a little but no problems. Good poly bushings and it hasn't eaten a set yet (although I'm sure it will)

with that small offset couldn't you run bent or offset shackles.

arndog

I'll tell you in a little over a week if I had issues.

I just put in a Scout d44 rear and the new perches were off by .5" each side. I also moved the axle back about 1.5" at the same time. I don't have time to fix it as I am leaving Friday for a 10 day wheeling trip with my club and have a ton of other stuff to finish up.

The shackles are kicked out a little and I am worried about tearing off a hanger but we'll see. I am going to weld the hangers to the frame for added strength.

It all gets changed this winter anyway.

I'd run it.... 3/4" is like the max in my opinion.... i'd take better measurements and find the precise distance then if its like 3/4" waller out the pin hole or drill a new hole in the spring perch then run them..... and if you get premature bushing wear how premature instead of 1 every 100k once every 50k??? Stock junk runs 200k + sometimes....

and if you get premature bushing wear how premature instead of 1 every 100k once every 50k??? Stock junk runs 200k + sometimes....
Yeah, I was just worrying about handling, and the issues brought up above (shackle mount integrity). I have decided not to go to any great expense though!!!! (not yet anyway!)

Originally posted by jslamerman

Yeah, I was just worrying about handling, and the issues brought up above (shackle mount integrity). I have decided not to go to any great expense though!!!! (not yet anyway!)

I am dealing with this right now. I bent a shackle and shackle mount this weekend and whats been said above seems to jive with what I am seeing. I chewed up some bushings also... The front end steering seems real bad right now, as the springs are moving before the steering turns. I'll know more in a couple days, have to tear the front down to fix a blown front R&P first.

Originally posted by rkcrawl


I bent a shackle and shackle mount this weekend and whats been said above seems to jive with what I am seeing.

Jim you bent a shackle/hanger because it hit the rock at table top when you mashed the gas. Bushings I'll buy, but that shackle/hanger too a hard hit when you climbed that ledge.:eek:

Originally posted by bigdude


Jim you bent a shackle/hanger because it hit the rock at table top when you mashed the gas. Bushings I'll buy, but that shackle/hanger too a hard hit when you climbed that ledge.:eek:

Guess I really need that stinger, eh? :eek:

Originally posted by rkcrawl


Guess I really need that stinger, eh? :eek:

I'll work on it this weekend . I'll be building mine with the correct distance in front to deflect obstacles under the shackle. I looked at it last night and It shouldn't affect approach angle much at all. I'll have pics Sunday/Monday if you can wait that long. Shouldn't take but 20 minutes for Brian and I to bend one up after we figure out the first one.

Originally posted by bigdude


I'll work on it this weekend . I'll be building mine with the correct distance in front to deflect obstacles under the shackle. I looked at it last night and It shouldn't affect approach angle much at all. I'll have pics Sunday/Monday if you can wait that long. Shouldn't take but 20 minutes for Brian and I to bend one up after we figure out the first one.

I've got bigger issues to get to fist (R&P) so I'm in no super rush. Definitely want to see pix of how yours comes out.

Well, here is my opinon. Yes, it will work. My D44 front was spread about 1/8-1/4 when I put it on. That combined with my super duper extendo ladder bar fawkin shackles :rolleyes: put a lot of torque on the shackle mounts, and it broke. So I (Loppy actually) redid it with chromoly mounts :D BUT......My shit drove like a dead ape sweating in a bowl of vaseline. So now its in process with a shackle reversal, outboarded hangers, and waggy springs. I dont plan to drive it on the street, but now I can if I choose to. :) Good luck with it

...drove like a dead ape sweating in a bowl of vaseline? Whoa, mine death wobbles a little, but it's no dead ape in vaseline.

I outbourded my springs 1/2" either side to bolt up a '81 Cherokee 44 in my YJ, I think my offset shackles and buggy leaves are causing the wobble but I don't care cuz I'm going wider so I'll correct it while building the new custom axles

Well I got back last Sunday and finally remembered to answer this.

My shackles are no worse for wear than before and I did do a bit of quality wheeling.

Down the road 3+ hours was not bad at all...I lead the convoy (as the worst Jeep should I guess) and I thought we were doing 50 mph but apparently we hit 70 a few times :D .

I am running stock hangers with BEAT bushings both F&R and the only thing I noticed was an deflection of the front axle of about 3" each way (L or R):eek: but no ill effects of the perches in the rear being off .5" each.

I flex like a MF and did not tear any shackle mount off F or R like I thought I was gonna.

My motto for the past month before this maiden voyage...

"Fuck It, Wheel It."

If you want pics of the rear shackle angle (or the front deflection) ask and I will snap some and provide you with the view.

It aint gonna do squat... I find it midy humerous this question hasn't been answered by a Jeep Guru yet. Look at an 84 CJ7 rear springs. the perchs are our board abour 1 inch... The reason AMC was hurting for cash in the last years so they didn't replace Jigs when the began to wear, they just keep using them.. Same reason late model CJ's are Joop's not Jeep's so slight miss alingment won't kill ya.

Problem solved----- swap YJ with silly 4 banger for CJ with TBI 350 and install avalanche outboard kit= bolt my existing axle in:D :D

Originally posted by Keith Strong
If you wheel it it'll eventually tear off a shackle mount. Trust me ;)
Keith is 100% right on this one. I moved my springs outward about 1/4" on each side to meet the stock explorer perches for my 8.8, and low and behold, one of my shackles cracked right in half. :( Oh well.. simple solution... SOA on waggy springs :)
Scott

Originally posted by Ketchup Dog

Keith is 100% right on this one. I moved my springs outward about 1/4" on each side to meet the stock explorer perches for my 8.8, and low and behold, one of my shackles cracked right in half. :( Oh well.. simple solution... SOA on waggy springs :)
Scott

Stock shackles belong on stock Jeeps :p

If Keith is 100% right, then how come I haven't broken anything yet :confused: Maybe it's not 100% then, huh genious:flipoff2:

Originally posted by bigdude


Stock shackles belong on stock Jeeps :p

If Keith is 100% right, then how come I haven't broken anything yet :confused: Maybe it's not 100% then, huh genious:flipoff2:

Same here... outboarded mine and everything is still good to go....

Originally posted by bigdude


Stock shackles belong on stock Jeeps :p

If Keith is 100% right, then how come I haven't broken anything yet :confused: Maybe it's not 100% then, huh genious:flipoff2:
Ok fine smartass :D he's 99% right.. and my jeep is damn near close enough to stock with the little 35's :flipoff2:
Scott