Avoiding a thread hijack...

zip1 · Nov 19, 2006

...referencing the below thread, and my installation, SOA with out boarded spring hangers. How would I do a shackle reversal with this configuration? Referencing the attached thread it seems that the concensus is, a through the frame bushing and shackle setup for the rear (front spring).

http://www.nw-wheelers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7077

fubar73cj5 · Nov 19, 2006

Here's a bad/unfinished photo of the hack job that I did. It is gussetted and boxed. A piece of angle iron would have done the same job.

2pwrlftrs4u · Nov 19, 2006

note his front spring hangers.... you can hardly see them in the pic. i am thinking about SOA also. my CJ has a set up like the one in his picture. i have read alot of SOA articles that do not use a reversal for the SOA, esp if YJ stock springs are used. "they" say that a reversal is not a good idea when using a "flat" spring on a SOA. maybe somebody will chime in.

junkyard jim · Nov 20, 2006

My Jeep is stock SOA with flat springs in front with shackles forward, ('73 J4000) and it's also outboarded springs. Rides like a dream on the highway except the springs are a bit narrow for the heavy loads I carry (it has a snubber behind the axle)

zip1 · Nov 26, 2006

So, I'm curious, can I just take my shackles, adjust for length, and just swap them around (front to back) common to the front springs? I probably would have to compensate for the pinion angle some, either by shim, or moving the bracket? What else?

Looking at Fubar73cj5 pics made me think of this, reading the other posts sure seem to make this a complicated process, is it really?

fubar73cj5 · Nov 26, 2006

Is this the same rig in your sig? If not what is the rig/spring/axle/running gear/etc. combo?

zip1 · Nov 26, 2006

Yes it is, waggy springs in the front, stock CJ in the rear

bobracing · Nov 27, 2006

If a flat spring is in a SR, the spring will actually have to move the axle forward when hitting a bump fighting the direction and speed of the Jeep. If the spring has arc and hits a bump, the spring will push the axle back flowing with the direction and speed of the Jeep.

As for thru the frame, I originally started that way, see hole above shackle mount, but ended up with a waggy frontend and had to change things. Come to find out this is very similar to Blue Torch Fab's spring outboard kit. I was also trying to keep mounting points somewhat level, i.e. the front dropped spring mounts.

Springs a JCW, rear CJ-7, HD, 7 leaf pack.

fubar73cj5 · Nov 28, 2006

zip said:
So, I'm curious, can I just take my shackles, adjust for length, and just swap them around (front to back) common to the front springs? I probably would have to compensate for the pinion angle some, either by shim, or moving the bracket? What else?

Looking at Fubar73cj5 pics made me think of this, reading the other posts sure seem to make this a complicated process, is it really?

It's not that complicated. It sounds like your rig was already lifted so your brake lines, drive lines, shocks, steering links, etc. should all work out

. I had to rotate my knuckles but only because I didn't start with the right front end (Scout). Tack on your spring and shackle mounts, set the rig on the axles with your perches tacked in place and make sure everything works as far as caster and pinion angles then go from there. I mocked everything together before welding it to make sure I only had to do it once. Everything in my front end as far as clearances go is TIGHT. Not sure if that helps you or not :redneck:

Good luck