I(ok the hubby and I) have a 1974 jeep CJ5 stock with 31" tires...
We would like to lift it by putting the leaf springs over axles. in doing this the angles are wrong for the differential to the drive shaft(which is now too short)...can the differential be angled up toward the drive shaft as this points the plug of the differential downward...

What would you all recommend?
How would you go about switching the axle to under the leaf springs?...
Any advice would be greatly appretiated!!

unless you really know what your doing just stay spring under and u'll be fine.... either way you go, change your output shaft to a fixed yoke and get a CV drive shaft. you'll also have to angle your pinion to point at the output shaft on the T-case

after taking her out on the trails and rubbing the belly on everything and completely smashing the ubolts that caught on everything....

she definately needs to be lifted and in order to raise the belly the suspension must get the lift...

therefore all these adjustments will need to be made regardless...

spring under not ok...is bad <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

how are your welding and fabrication skills?

welding is no biggy
as far as fabrication...it would depend on how complex

Placing the leaf springs over the axle will certainly give your rig excellent clearance and enhance it's present capabilities; but the reality is that it opens a Pandora's Box of modification issues and expenses. The modifications required should be only done by an experienced mechanic that has sucessfully modified other jeeps with a Spring Over Axle setups. We often read of problems where even the mechanically-inclined jeepers attempt the SOA and have significant never-ending problems. The simplest and possibly the stoutest solution, would be to keep the rig sprung-under with a 4" suspension lift kit (complete lift kit) and run 33" tires. I suspect that 33" tires will provide the necessary clearance on 75-95% of the trails you'll run. When you install taller ring & pinion gears to off-set the lack of vehicle highway performance from taller tires, go-ahead and install a full-locker in the rear differential, and a selectable locker in the front differential . . . this will make off-roading much more enjoyable. Rancho and Rubicon Edition lift kits are highly recommended, but there are others that are equal, and many that are worse for different reason. One thing should be obvious, don't purchase aftermarket kits or parts based on price, purchase proven systems and parts, some times your life may depend on the modifications you purchase.
You can always post your plans here and gets some sound recommendations; this board has many experienced jeepers and mechanics who will gladly offer their experience and advice.
See you on the trail . . .

I don't agree. A spring over can be done but as mentioned before, you have to be able to weld. There are several websites that will help you with the project. Also, you can incline your differential probably up to 45 degrees, but I would incle it a bit and have a CV driveshaft professinally fitted on the new assembly. THATS THE ONLY PROBLEM, your looking at a couple hundred bucks for that drivesahft. But if it isn't done, because of the incline, your drivesahft might not even turn. Then you would have to grind the crap out of the yoke and end up weakening and unbalancing your driveline. Thats a major NO NO. Here is an SOA site http://www.jeepaholics.com/tech/SOA/yjomesoa.htm.

with out alot of fabrication experiance and know how i would not try to go spring over yet. i would replace the spring under leafs and get the slip yoke eliminator and extended brake lines and all the other fun stuff. dont dicard your old spring keep them. after insalling the full lift and tuneing it and perfecting it then i would try a spring over setup. not only will you have more practical knowledge of your jeep and more of the experiance you need, you'll also have the stuff and ability to compare the performance of the spring over lift vs. spring under. and if you dont grind off yur old spring perches right away, you can reinstall the old lift without having too much work.

we've already done a leaf replacement on it...
new shackles ...new shocks....had the engine out...etc

we toook it out to fordyce trails to determine the type of lift we want to do as to how much lift it needs...

we've already got the rear switched around...that was really very simple...the front is going to take a little more time...smply because while out on the trail we broke the front drive shaft at the differential end u-joint(ouch)
so we are taking our time with this project looking at what we want to do with the front drive shaft and getting other input! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

so far this project is really quite simple!!
but I know the front end is going to be the fun part..heh
but the link above is very nice and will be a great reference!!

well it sounds like you have adaquate experiance then. Good luck <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> might i suggest converting the front axle from u-joint strapts to U-bolts. i kept having u joints fail and brake and the straps stetch and fracture on my dana 35c. all you have to do is mount the yoke in a good drill press and drill out the 4 holes go down to a good parts store with some measurements and the should help you out.