[74CJ]

Alright so I'm new to Jeeps and I just purchased a 74 CJ-5 from a friend for cheap. I have a couple questions that I would like answered. I know everyone asks this so don't flame but I plan on doing a SOA using the stock leaf packs and hardware but I was wondering if I need a drop pitman arm or anything else for the steering linkage, vacuum lines, etc...Remember I'm a newb to Jeeps so any help would be greatly appreciated and before anyone says search, I already did and only came up with stuff for 76 CJs and up using YJ leafs....

[lorenwalding]

Well firstly congratulations on entering the JEEP world. Your stock springs are probably worn out and even if you do the SOA they should be replaced. One thing most forget is that after a spring over that you have more axlewrap as well. I have ridden in Jeeps done this way and you can't really tell until you get on it or are in a tight spot and need to throttle it. that being said, you can check rubiconusa.com and jeep4x4center.com I believe they both offer the springover kits, if not keep checking the internet because they are available. You will need to modify your steering , since it's moveing from above your springs to below them, keepin mind even a drop pitman arm won't drop it enough to not need to cross through the middle of the front springs, so you will need to fab something up. I hope this info helps,Loren

[kbtriumph]

The best way to fix the steering is to have some flat top knuckles machined so that you can have overhead steering this will raise your tie rod to the top of the knuckle rather than the middle. With this setup you do not keed a drop pitman arm and do not get much bump steer.

I thought about SOA but decided that it was a lot less work(and less money) to build 4" drop shackle mounts and use soft 3" lift springs. Wit the money I saved I had longer springs made at the same time.

Good luck whatever you end up doing, and let us know how it turns out.