Front leaf flip questions

jeep_man_401

I'm in the process of installing a 14 bolt rear into my '78 J10. I have to move the leaf springs inward to make the rear fit. Thinking of making new mounts under the frame rails for new 3/4 ton springs. This will give the rear at least a 7" lift by my estimates. In order to level the front out I am thinking of flipping the front leafs to above the axle tube. Am I right in guessing about 5" of lift there? Not looking for tons of flex...actually want to control axle wrap. Will be using the truck for pulling and hauling heavy loads. Guessing of using around a 32 or 33" tire. Anybody done this before have any pointers? :!:

Mudrat

jeep_man_401 wrote
In order to level the front out I am thinking of flipping the front leafs to above the axle tube. Am I right in guessing about 5" of lift there?

Haven't tried what your doing to the rear end but if you launch hard, you'll get wrap - unless you add a ladder bar or something.

The front SOA will net you the diameter of the tube + the height of the spring pad and maybe a bit from the spring pack depending on how it's layered. What you'll get depends on which axle you have, 5" is about right for a D-44. I ot 7" but I added a 2" Skyjacker spring lift to level me out in a CJ.

jeep_man_401

The wrap you are talking about becomes more of a problem with the SOA right? The rear is already SOA so nothing is changing there except a stiffer spring pack. I am going to try and have a set made (Husky Spring in St cloud) and have the "military" wrap to help with axle wrap in the back. If rules allow a anti wrap bar also. The front presents more of a problem. I don't want problems with bump steer or a wobble. I don't think just getting front springs will work as they would have a super arc in them for 6" of lift. The front will also get heavy duty springs as I will be adding 400lbs or more to the front when I pull. Perhaps a "military" wrap there also would help with axle wrap when going SOA. Option 2:Extend the front leaf spring mounting points and keep the leaf pack under the axle?? Option 3: get 4" lift springs (made for heavy trucks) and run a raked look,,, 111!!! This might work also as this is mainly for pulling at fairs. The weight sled will pull the rear down anyway once I get moving... Don't want to throw a ton of money a the front now as I will be adding a Dana 60 front sometime in the future. How does your SOA drive now? Did you add a high steer kit? Open to ideas... :-|

Mudrat

I did go with a high steer and the thing to remember is to keep the drag link as close to parallel to the tie-rod as you can. If your just pulling and not driving, bump steer won't be much of an issue. If you do drive it the 'rake' will look different, and you'll need to make sure castor and camber are close to stock or you'll wander all over the road.

I just put a set of Reider Racing (Deadnbear) knuckles on the CJ. They are 3/8" taller and have 4 bolts for the high steer arms (my arms only use 3 though). Plus they allow for a straight 1/4-20 zerk to grease the upper ball joint =D>

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. Passenger side

. Drivers side
And yes, the Haynes is open to the torq specs page :mrgreen: