52'' chevy springs on the front..

[jbohot]

i bent my front spring right off the bat... so i wanted to do a shackle reverse on the front.. ive got so buddies with blazers and i know the 52" rear blazer springs they run will flex madly.. here is a few pics of it...
http://www.austink5.net/gallery/albums/album30/2005_0112Image0008.sized.jpg
http://www.austink5.net/gallery/albums/album30/52_spring_swap_014.sized.jpg
http://www.austink5.net/gallery/albums/album30/jeep_015.sized.jpg
http://www.austink5.net/gallery/albums/album30/52_spring_swap_004.sized.jpg

http://www.austink5.net/gallery/albums/album185/TX4X4_2005_019.sized.jpg

[ July 12, 2005, 02:20 PM: Message edited by: jbohot ]

[Tad]

Looks like it works pretty well for you there.

Couple of questions:
What shocks/model are you running (I can't read stuff that small)?
How much weight you figure you have dropped?

[robselina]

i dig it.

how are the chevy springs holding up? stock leafs aren't lasting me more than 4 wheeling trips on average...

[jode]

Rob, you figure if you were to shackle reversal-ify your rig you could eliminate (or at least drastically reduce) that problem?

[robselina]

Originally posted by jode:
Rob, you figure if you were to shackle reversal-ify your rig you could eliminate (or at least drastically reduce) that problem?yea, though I'm trying some other things first since I realy don't want to do a rear shackle setup. I've put a set of new springs in since I've always run used ones. I'm curious if they'll hold up any better. I'm also working on some pretty dramatic weight reduction (pics by the end of the week) and I'm wondering how much that will help too. Worst case, shackle reversal it is...

[ July 12, 2005, 03:58 PM: Message edited by: robselina ]

[Stuka]

The only thing I dislike about a shackle reversal is you need a higher angle front shaft with more slip. As whent he axle droops, it not only moves farther away from the t-case (instead of closer like a front shackle does) but it also points the pinion down. Where as with a front shackle it points the pinion up as it droops, making for a better drive shaft angle.

[robselina]

Originally posted by Stuka:
The only thing I dislike about a shackle reversal is you need a higher angle front shaft with more slip. As whent he axle droops, it not only moves farther away from the t-case (instead of closer like a front shackle does) but it also points the pinion down. Where as with a front shackle it points the pinion up as it droops, making for a better drive shaft angle.That's the biggest issue with cost for me...a little tech on the subject:

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/susp/elkcahs/

[mudslider]

i dont like the driveshaft issue they propose with a reversal on that site.

[ July 12, 2005, 07:21 PM: Message edited by: mudslider ]

[scotty]

im not a big fan of shackle reversals,but you definately do good fabwork. looks like you have built a clean and functional rig.

i like it. but i guess my opinion may be biased cause my hood and front end look almost exactly like that,cept for the stinger ;)

[blt2krl]

Looks good. Did you sleeve the hole through you frame for the shackle?

[Boghog1]

Alright, I have some questions. I have a 79 WT that I was going to do a SOA on but I do not want to be up that high. I already have the rear RB Shackle flip kit that I managed to get from a memeber of the board that had to get rid of his Cherokee. I have been contimplating how I can do a SOA and net closer to the 6" mark if not a little less. I was wondering about using chevy springs since they are flat to negative arch to begin with. Has anyone else done this? I already have my rear dana 60 with 4.10s and currently looking for a front to match. if there is a SUA front in 8 lug out there that will bolt in let me know and I'll just get a 4" kit from BJs

[rustywagoneers_com]

if you want to stay SUA, just put 8-lug outers on your WT44...

as far as springover with less than the 7 or 8 inches that you would likely get.. your chevy spring thing might work.. i switch to the 2-leaf waggy fronts when i can find them... but in a real rock crawling situation, i just don't see them lasting very long...

what about the (cant remember, wag or chero) with the really nice ford radius arm swap up front... might be able to fab a radius arm that bolts to the stock spring pad... that is what i am considering for the comanchaneer if i own it long enough to bend a leaf...

peace
Dave

[Gambler68]

i switch to the 2-leaf waggy fronts when i can find them...

need a pair? got em on the 75 401 waggy I'm parting out.

[Boghog1]

if you want to stay SUA, just put 8-lug outers on your WT44...

peace
Dave

Not so much a want to stay SUA is I want to have a lower COG and still flex well and ride nice, I suppose switching to the two leaf fronts is an option since the 7 leaf pack is close to 2" thick