I am wanting to do a rear stretch on my CJ7. I currently have RE 4 inch lift YJ Spring front and rear SUA with a Dana 44 and Ford 9 setup running 36 Super Swampers. I have the high/cross over steer. I would like to know if anyone has done the rear SUA stretch. If so what leaf springs did you use or should I start considering SOA. I would like to stay the same ride height as my current setup.
I plan on stretching the rear about 4-6 inches. No wanting to do the pro-comp cut maybe using the TJ flare cut. I would like to stay SUA but I am not sure what Leaf spings to use. I know some say to use XJ but they are SOA.
I've put toyota springs on two rigs now and love the way they ride. Different stretch and overall length depending on year model of donor truck. Both are SOA.
Any specific reason you can't run an XJ pack? Sure they were spring over factory design but all the CJs that have been SOA'd with stock or YJ packs started as SUA.
Yes I would like all of the stretch that comes from the longer leaf spring. I guess what I was trying to ask is that if I used BTF CJ7 stretch kit with the XJ RE 4 inch lift leaf springs would my CJ7 still have the same height as the front. I'm not sure if they would because they are SOA springs. Maybe I am over thinking this?
I have been debating going SOA with YJ/XJ stock springs. I don't know if that would still give me the same amount of height as the 4 inch lift SUA. I don't want to much higher since it might not fit in my garage.
I have the same plan in the works. I found a set of stock xj springs for mock up. Ill see how far the rear drops on the factory springs then order the appropriate lift springs to regain the lift height. You will also need to address the fuel tank as the diff and tank will be fighting over the same real estate with 6" of stretch.
factory CJ-7 arch is 5 1/8", XJ arch is 5 1/4" so yeah a 4" lift spring from an xj should equal out to the cj 4" lift spring while stretching the wheelbase 6". You can adjust the new rear spring mount/shackle length to level it up if needed.
I plan on stretching the rear about 4-6 inches. No wanting to do the pro-comp cut maybe using the TJ flare cut. I would like to stay SUA but I am not sure what Leaf spings to use. I know some say to use XJ but they are SOA.
TJ flares won't accommodate 6" of stretch......even 4" will probably be pushing into the rear quarters at full stuff. You'll likely have to cut a custom arch to fit your tire size and stretch.
My CJ5 had TJ flares with 33" tires and no stretch at all to stop the tires from rubbing the back of the stock CJ fender opening. A TJ flare isn't going to do anything for any amount of stretch.
Any stretch worth doing will require moving/new/different fuel tank, cutting the wheel well, and redesign of the shackle/spring hangers.
I think the OP realizes its not just a spring swap, especially if he is considering the BTF kit as it states in its description a lot of what is needed to be done... At least I hope he has an idea of what all is ahead.
Look at Genrights stretch corners for an idea of what it would look like.
You should be around the same measurements with a 4" lift XJ pack SUA but do consider that hanger location of the conversion may change vertically on frame which would then throw off the measurements.
I know more or less what it involves on the welding and fabricating side. When I put on the front outboarding kit and the chevy Dana44/ Ford 9 inch it took some cutting and welding going SUA. I like the idea of using the Genright strecth corners. Now I have to figure out what I am going to do with the gas tank and if I'm going SOA. I need to make a decision by this week if I am going to start ordering parts and have them arrive before Thanksgiving week.
I know more or less what it involves on the welding and fabricating side. When I put on the front outboarding kit and the chevy Dana44/ Ford 9 inch it took some cutting and welding going SUA. I like the idea of using the Genright strecth corners. Now I have to figure out what I am going to do with the gas tank and if I'm going SOA. I need to make a decision by this week if I am going to start ordering parts and have them arrive before Thanksgiving week.
IIRC Genright makes a stretch tank also but that be $$$! I'd say cheapest way would be a fuel cell behind rear seat(if you have one).
I plan on doing kind of the same thing eventually and have been throwing around the idea of making a custom tank kind of "saddle" style like a Harley or chopper dual tank set up that is shallow in the rear and would drop in front of the axle and straddle the driveshaft. Not the best option but I want do something different and be able to keep rear seat and storage area.
So if I reverse the xj springs it will give me about a 6 inch stretch. How much will it give me if I don't reverse them? Will the stretch then work with the Genright fuel tank?
You gain 7/16 inch if you don't reverse the xj spring. the stretch tank from genright is good for 4-5 inch stretch with the factory axle. less if you go to a bigger axle.
If you don't intend to go with the full 6" stretch the XJ springs provide there isn't much point in using them. And I wouldn't try and get 3-4" out of perches alone. Grand wagoneer springs also have an offset pin but only two inches and stock waggy springs provide 2" of lift. So a 2" waggy lift spring would lift a CJ 4". If you used waggy leafs with the perches you could get to 4" of stretch and lift.
I just finished the front SOA and took it for a test drive. Its a lot softer ride and I'm glad I went SOA. Now I need to do the rear stretch with the XJ leaf springs.
Thanks for everyone's input on this. I should have done this in the first place when I did the outboarding and YJ leaf spring conversion.
Nice... I never regretted doing my SOA... and that was when I was in 11th grade. It is tippy tho on the street with no sway bar on it but I haven't gone over in it yet for going on 16 yrs now.
If they are done right they're good, but done cheaply and wrong they are scary and down right dangerous.
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