J-20 spring-over conversion.

[Lugnut]

I have an '83 J-20 pickup I'm pretty much restoring with a new (rebuilt) engine, mucho body work and paint (sunshine yellow), interior, etc. The body man has had it for 11 months now but that's a story for another day. He's promised me I'll have it any day now (hmmmm). I'm wanting to do a spring-over conversion on the front. The rear is already spring over and I will just add the necessary block height there. My concern is the steering mechanism in the front. Is there a lot of work to do there to enable me have a spring-over, i.e., re-working the steering linkages, etc? I'm thinking about getting a local 4WD shop to do the job but he's mentioned an estimate of $800-1000. Sounds like more money than I really want to spend if it's something I can do myself. I have the tools and a reasonable mechanical knowledge, having restored my '78 CJ, but I'm not sure which way to proceed on this. I saw an article some time ago, can't remember where, that mentions some milling work on the spindle piece. Can't remember much more about it. I've talked to one guy who did a new 4" spring lift and he says it rides like a tank. I want to retain a reasonably smooth ride so I think that route is not an option. Any help/suggestions?
Thanks. Rob Joyner (rijoyner@cs.com)

[Erix Jeep]

Rob, I did a SOA on my 78 Wagoneer in my driveway. Was a little complicated, and 3 yrs ago, so doing this from memory.

Spring perches: I made mine from 2.5 inch square tubing (1/4 inch wall). I had the welding shop split it in half, about a 6inch piece. Now I had two perches. Using a power jigsaw, I cut the arch for the front axle and mounted them with the pinion rotated up about 2.5 degrees so the centerlink would clear the passenger spring.

As for the front brake hoses, I drilled an extra hole in the brake hose mounting bracket, and dropped the bracket down about 2 inches. Not perfect, but close!

The bracket mounting the steering stabilizer had to be removed and flipped over to mount the stabilizer in front if I remember correctly.

The prev owner had already done a shackle flip in the rear, and I put in 2inch blocks to level it. (HATE blocks, but was on a budget!)

I did have to purchase longer shocks too. Most of this was done in one very long day. Oh, removed the steering stabilizer. Never got around to making new endlinks for it.

Results? Flexed like no tomorrow, and went wherever I wanted to go! Plus, using the original springs didn't stiffen my ride any. I drove the wagon like that for two years, including towing some very heavy loads. Sure do miss it! Hope this helps your decision process!

Eric