I've been looking at a lot of articles online about stretching YJ wheelbases with XJ,dakota, and F-150 leaf springs. I thought , why couldn't I do this on my CJ7? so I started looking at suspension parts (new hangers, etc.) to swap springs. then I measured mine just to see, I have a Rancho 2.5" suspension lift and my rear leaves, hangers, and shackles are all 2 1/2" wide. so, it would stand to reason that since all those donor springs are 2 1/2" wide, I can use the hardware I have now- or am I missing something here? I've also heard that swapping in those stock springs will give me about 2 1/2" of lift- can anyone verify this?

Hico If you extend the frame won't you have to make new fender holes and perhaps even stich tires out the back or front of the fenderwells? What will you use to make the new part of the frame? Will you need new driveshafts?

Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I don't think he is talking about stretching the frame, just the wheelbase...moving the shackle mounts farther forward in the front, and farther back in the rear.

That would be a good time to do a shackle reversal. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I am talking about moving the shackles back. already got a reversal up front, I'd recommend that to anyone

How about turning the rear mounts backwards? On mine the spring mount eye is toward the front. If you unbolt those and turn them around that would make for about 2-3 inches of extra wheelbase. The forward mounts would have to be cut and rewelded farther back.

Sorry Browne I simply didn't even think about a couple of inches.. Seems like a lot of study'n and work for that small of a gain in length.. But to each his own.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

He's got a CJ7, but on my super short CJ5, a few extra inches would be great. Make for a little better departure angle, and make steep climbs a little less <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> puckerin.

Let me know what you do Hico, so I can keep it in mind if it works. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Just delivered a customers CJ7 that I built/installed a pair of D60s in, and got 100" wheel base by doing what you're after. The trick was moving the steering box forward 1" also (MORE, kit). 2.5" out the front 4" out the back.
I used the Genright ext tank and Stretch armor kit. It looks stock except for the SRS, SOA, 35" tires and d60s.

Worked out well.

SD