so finished this swap finally - for others searching, figured i'd post my results for the shopping list:
This is what I ordered:
(2) OME 2.5 rear medium load leaf spring for Jeep YJ (I went with medium ... I have no hardtop and no backseat)
(2) OME 2.5 front heavy load leaf spring for Jeep YJ (sbc V8 ...)
(2) energy suspension spring bushings kit (black) for Jeep YJ (
update: this kit works, but you will have to cut down the 4 larger ID sleeves about 1/8" for the frame mounts (front and rear). There are 2 larger ID sleeves in each kit, those are for the frame mount bolts. Also note that if you get the MORE shackles, they come with bushings and sleeves ... so if you can source the sleeves and bushings for the frame mounts elsewhere that'd be the way to go ... because I have a pile of leftover bushings and sleeves now
(1) Currie CE-9040 front shackles kit for Jeep YJ (come with bushings/sleeves/greasable bolts)
(2) Rubicon Express RE2050 2.5 Spring Plate (comes with stud for swaybar ... if you also need a stud for shocks you'll need to buy 2 extras, my 83 didn't need it since the shock is axle mounted)
(1) Rubicon Express RE2440 rear M20 U-bolt kit for Jeep CJ
(1) Rubicon Express RE2435 front U-bolt kit for Jeep CJ (this includes the 1 larger Ubolt for the diff)
(1)MORE 7686 FSH 2.5 YJ spring shackle hangers (front/pair) - these have a hole for the rivet so you don't have to bother grinding that out. works with the stock CJ bumper - but I had to take the bottom bolt out and will swap in a smaller one (not a big deal, the bumper is there for looks and lights not much more than that)
following are optional for the rear:
(1) Currie CE-9030 rear shackle kit (pair) for Jeep YJ (don't need, can reuse the stock rear CJ shackle - but these come with new bushings/sleeves/greasable bolts and are WAY more stout than stock ones)
(1)MORE 7686 RSH YJ spring shackle hangers (pair) (don't need new rear shackle hangers, you can reuse the existing ones if they're in good shape ... but even my relatively rust free 83 CJ7 benefited by these heavy duty hangers and new grade 8 bolts)
the bolts for the hangers are 7/16 x 14 .... i'd suggest just getting new ones all around (8). My jeep is in good condition, but when you see where the bolts and capture nuts have lived for over 3 decades you'll understand why they're almost certain to be in bad shape - they get doused with water, mud, and all else from the tires. I used a tap to clean all the threads out too - I did try to reuse one bolt, it snapped of course but fortunately had enough to grip and remove it.
overall I like the result, much more compliant and now when I hit a bump I wasn't expecting I don't feel like my neck is about to snap. I already had a skyjacker 2.5" lift on the jeep from the PO but didn't have an extended rear soft brake line ... as I was working on the suspension realized it needed one - so I got a longer one from quadratec. Brakes aren't something to risk for the cost of longer hose and a few minutes to swap it out (speedbleeders = nice to have for quick 1 person brake bleeding)
also, as discussed elsewhere in this thread noticed I have about 1/8"+ space in the shackles between the side plates and the bushings. With my setup, they're YJ springs, YJ shackles, YJ hangers ... so I didn't trim or cut the sleeves or bushings. I drove it about 50 miles tonight, including about 15 miles at 80+ mph ... didn't notice any slop and the springs didn't look to have moved around. Given all the parts are for YJ, I'm guessing the space is designed to be there - the sleeves keep you from tightening them down enough to squeeze the bushings. Hope this helps the next guy thinking about doing this ... it's worth it imo
shocks - again, I had the skyjacker kit on mine so kept those skyjacker shocks