Continuing the work that started with new kingpins, bushings and rebuilding the drag link shared
here. Now the focus is front springs, adding an overload spring (9 total each side now), leaf spring liners and rear leveling blocks.
The front springs have a bit of droop, the 3/4 ton sits like a stock 3100 with the top of the front tires hidden by the fenders. Never liked that look. So a bit of searching turned up a overload leaf for early CJ5 Jeeps that's 1 3/4" wide, about 22" long and 1/2 thick in the middle.
Overload springs are from
ProComp item 13170 for $34.99.
Based on the good things others shared about pulling the front spring packs, cleaning and installing liners between each leaf I decided to give it a try. My 3600 does OK with 35 psig in the front 30 in the rear on the rough roads I regularly drive on. Air up to 60 psig where it steers easy and can work and it'll literally like riding on a log wagon.
The Poly-Slide Liner used comes in 20' rolls,
two required..
A few days ago I put a couple jack stands under the frame under the seat area and tore into things. Pulled the front wheels, spring u-bolts, rear spring eye bolts, front spring shackle bolts and shackles. I'd ordered new u-bolts and failed to notice they were 1/2", my 3600 needed 9/16" u-bolts. Even though they're 71 years old, they have less than 60,000 miles and when cleaned up look fine. So temporarily they're back in service. I know, always use new u-bolts.
First order of business once the spring packs were disassembled was to take the leaves to the bench grinder with its new wire brush wheel and clean away all the rust.
Next was to open the center bolt hole in each leaf up (from 5/16th inch) for the 3/8th bolt that came with the new overload springs. I really expected this to be a choir but with a good 3/8ths bit it was a fast easy job on the hand-me-down drill press.
The Poly-Slide liner is easily cut to length with a pair of scissors while holding it in place on the spring. Punched the bolt holes with a hole punch made from a short piece of 3/8 stainless tube and a small ball peen hammer. One note, someone posted the liners lip should be installed down, keeping water from collecting on the springs. You can see the lip on the edge of the liner if you look close on the installed spring image.
Last step was to clean and grease all spring bolts and reassemble. After a bit of fiddling decided the add-a-leaf fit best as the 4th spring from the bottom. 3 below and 5 above. It's now a 9 spring pack.
The front threaded bolts showed no wear. One rear eyebolt looked good, the other was cammed out a bit, about 20%. New bushings and bolts are on the list now. Some black paint and a couple hours work and it's all back together.
Sitting in the shop, the truck looks high in the front. Measuring from the top of the axle to the frame shows it's now 2" higher.[img]
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