Road Springs??

[1955CJ-5]

I'm going to order a complete suspension rebuild kit for the '51 3A from Kaiser-Willys. The kit shown has 8 leaves in the front and 9 in the rear. When I had to replace the CJ-5 springs I put 10 leaves in the front and 9 in the rear. I think the front needs to be heavier than the rear...and it works just fine

Right now the 3A has 10 front and whats left of 9 in the rear....

Do you think 10 front and 9 rear would work well for the CJ-3A?? �I don't want it too stiff but not too soft either...I know, delicate balance....

What does your 3A have??

http://www.kaiserwillys.com/product/1806/willys-jeep-suspension-overhaul-kits-parts-accessories

Randy

[garage gnome]

Mine had the heavy duty 11 leaf front, 10 leaf rear spring package from the Factory (maybe that is why the plow didn't kill it!). That is what I put back in it. It rides ok, but still not great. I agree, there should be more leafs in the front than the rear simply because of the engine weight. I would get the same that was in it.

Oh, and one thing I noticed too with the springs I used, I don't get that jeep lean. �;)

[1955CJ-5]

As I look at it I think the best is just to replace with the same as you said...

My CJ-5 had 12 leaves in the front and 13 in the rear....It may have well just had the frame welded to the axles...the ride would have been no different...

And now I think I'll just replace the rear on the 3A.....

I was under there looking and the rear springs have both of the bottom/short leaves either bent over backwards(down) or broken off....and the PTO drive shaft has dents all around it as though it were banging against the axle....

What on earth could they have been doing to compress the springs so far, and repeatedly? The bed though rusted shows no sign of having something really heavy in there....It must have had an implement (it has the governor cable, no governor though)) of some sort back there, and with those light springs they just bottomed out.

Randy

[Quebec Jeep]

The standard for a 3A was 8 leaf at the front and 9 at rear.

The heavy duty option was 10 leaf at front and 11 at the rear.

[Macgraham]

I purchased a complete suspension set from KW. Eight leaves in front and 9 in the rear. I feel it is a bit too rough but hope it will soften up in time. Plenty of strength to carry a winch. I've questioned KW's quality control in the past. Another suspension set may be totally different depending on who they had build it.

[garage gnome]

Did you back the C shackle bolts off half a turn? It makes it ride a little better.

[1955CJ-5]

I purchased a complete suspension set from KW. Eight leaves in front and 9 in the rear. I feel it is a bit too rough but hope it will soften up in time. Plenty of strength to carry a winch. I've questioned KW's quality control in the past. Another suspension set may be totally different depending on who they had build it.

How long ago was that? �You are right, they may have different vendors, and an 8 leaf from one might not be the same stiffness as an 8 leaf from another. They told me these would look exactly like the originals, with the military loops on the second long leaf....I guess if it is too rough I can take a leaf or two out...

The ones for the CJ-5 came from Walcks, excellent fit and quality, but no military/safety loops....

[Macgraham]

Was about a year and a half since I got them. They were not exactly like the originals which had a taper along the length of the leaves. Some of these guys will say, yes it will fit you're Jeep, they just won't tell you or don't know if it will work like an original. Good luck.

[1955CJ-5]

When I was looking for springs to replace the broken packs on the CJ-5, I talked with everybody..local spring shops, a spring shop in the midwest, Walcks...everyone i could think of. I've since seen the local shops work which are fine functional springs but too heavy a material for jeeps. The Walcks spring pack was just fine, but I though I'd save a few bucks and try Kaiser-Willys.

I'll see what I get...I'll let you know.

Randy