Stretch now or later?

[mtu_jeeper]

Hey everyone...I am going to be starting my SOA axle swap in a few days, and I plan on stretching the YJ at some point. Anyhow I was thinking about it, and I plan on stretching the wheelbase using waggy springs later on down the road. I am pretty broke and don't have money budgeted to spend on new leaf springs. Do you think I should run the credit card bill any higher and buy waggy springs now (I was also considdering XJ springs), or will I not have any problems with pinion and caster angles later on if I wait? Basically, I would rather do it the right way now and spend more money if it is going to save me headaches in the future. Front axle is a hp Dana 44, rear axle is a ford 9". I don't plan on cutting and turning the knuckles because I don't feel that I have that kind of skill, or the money to pay someone to do it for me. Thanks, Christian

[gumbojeepyj]

well while you have it torn down ids say goahead and put the waggy fronts on all the way around with the long side in for the extra 4" or so in wheelbase. they can be had cheap at teh junkyard if they aren't all sagged.

[mtu_jeeper]

Nope, I will have to order them new...I live in the UP of michigan...not many junk yards anywhere...and most everything is rusted to shit. I heard JC Whitney was a good place for cheap waggy springs, anyone know of a cheap place to get decent set with a military wrap? I ain't loaded like I said, so if no one does I will just go with stock waggy springs...or maybe a 2" lift, I hope to clear 38s at some point. Christian

[87JeepWrangler]

im surprised to see you give up so easily on junk yard springs. i certainly dont know your area, but i'd think its worth the extra effort (if you cant afford expensive springs right now)to search and find a yard that has some waggy springs. even if its a long drive.... JC whitney springs certainly arent cheap.

[mtu_jeeper]

Well, I know of one wagoneer, it is rusted to shit and half sunken into the ground...there are maybe 4 junkyards within like 75 miles, one crushed all its cars that were older than 94, the other two don't have much of anything...I paid 100 bucks for a hp D44 because it was the only one around...and it was missing a long side shaft, hub and spindle were junk. Christian

[spectra]

I would stretch it now if it were me. And as for JCW they do have the springs and they are like a 100 bucks a piece. Just had a friend put a set on his 5 and let me tell you they beat the shit out of you. Have to remember these things are made for a heavier rig. The used ones allready have X amount of miles on them and have been flexed X amount of times they are broken in and ready to go. I know the used ones on my 5 running waggy fronts on all fours are great. I would maybe look into seeing if there are any yards within a few hundred miles of you and do some traveling. Good luck!

[mtu_jeeper]

What about XJ leaves, they are softer...I could at least use them in the rear, they are softer for a better ride and flex...then I know of one yard with a waggy I could maybe get springs from...but there is 4 feet of snow on the ground...so fat chance.

[Radbassist]

To answer your question:


NOW!

[mtu_jeeper]

I have decided to do the front now so that I can set my pinion and caster angles, so that if I was to stretch the front later it would screw up the pinion angle, therefore needing shims, which would screw up my caster angle which I feel to be very important since it is a DD. The rear I will stretch when I get more money...that way I can just shorten the junkyard double cardan shaft that I have now, and then when I get the axle set up where I want it with the stretch later on I can just shim it (I know it is better to weld new perches on...but I really don't feel like doing all that work), and get a new driveshaft from Jesse. Anyone see any problems with this? Thanks, Christian