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sparky13 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 30 May 2014 at 2:40pm
Working on a 1946 CJ2A.  Bought a 2.5 inch lift from Rancho. The kit just came with the springs and u bolts. How do I install the springs in the hangers? The ends where the shackles hang from look like they would need bushings. Do I need to put bushings in the hangers first? If so where can I get the bushings ? I can't get the springs to fit in the hangers at the other end. Seems like the hangers are bent in a little bit. Should I just heat them hangers up and bend them out? They are about a half inch to narrow to slide the springs up in to them. Where can I get greaseable bolts?  
Mark
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LesBerg View Drop Down
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two thoughts:

post some pictures of what you're describing - it helps the community visualize what you're working on, and frequently someone with direct experience with the aftermarket parts can tell you if the part you bought is buggered up.

You may have to call Rancho. Set set could be missing parts or you may need an additional kit that includes all the little parts. If you do call them, please report back on how it went. I'm considering a set of Rancho springs as well. I've heard their springs are more supple than the stock units and provide a smoother ride, and I'd love to hear first hand if that's true.
1948 CJ2A 157713 24" Stretch "Old Ironsides"
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Points: 4521 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48cj2a Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 May 2014 at 3:12pm
When you put a lift kit on a CJ-2A you will need to convert to H style shackles and replace the frame bushings with those from a 55-71 CJ-5.
 
Bushings can be purchase from any good offroad retailer like Summit Racing, JEGs, JCWhitney, and nearly any offroad shop.
 
Here is link to a picture of one of my CJ2As with a 3" Rugged Trail (Black Diamond) suspension lift, Conferr Shackles and the poly bushings were also installed in the frame mounts:
 
Prices will be way off as this is several years old but here's a parts breakdown link too: http://48cj2a.com/steeringsuspen.htm
 


Edited by 48cj2a - 30 May 2014 at 3:14pm
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Points: 1554 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LesBerg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 May 2014 at 5:28pm
I also just saw your springs on RockAuto and they include this note for installing them on a CJ2A:

Vehicle Spring Anchor Mounts Must be Drilled Out and Purchase Jeep Spring Anchor Bolt PN[RS384228] to Install Springs; PN[RS6636] Req'd to Replace U-Type Shackle with Plate Type Shackle

So now we have the part numbers that either Rancho or RockAuto recommends to use when installing these springs


Edited by LesBerg - 30 May 2014 at 5:30pm
1948 CJ2A 157713 24" Stretch "Old Ironsides"
1st Armored Div
6th Infantry Reg
3rd Infantry Bn
Headquarters Company #161

rubigo in quo speramus - "In Rust we Trust"
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sparky13 View Drop Down
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To 48 cj2a
Thanks for the information on the lift kit. Did you have any problems getting the springs to fit in the front hangers?  The hangers that are riveted to the frame. And are you going to use greaseable bolts? 
Mark
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52 M38 View Drop Down
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When I put the rancho kit on my M38.  The stock shackle size was 11/16 and the spring eyes were 5/8.  I had to drill the shackles to 3/4 so that I could sleeve them to the correct 5/8 size.  It was a pain, but is all good now.  I have kept my original shocks which are going to be short lived.  I had to sit on the frame to compress the suspension so I could reinstall them.  At some point the lower half and upper half will part company on a rebound.


Edited by 52 M38 - 31 May 2014 at 1:26am
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I had no issue with the factory mounts and did not have to drill anything out to accommodate larger bolts. The rears of the front springs and front of the rear springs have the factory greaseable bolts. I have greaseable bolts for the shackle ends somewhere in the garage to be installed eventually.
 
Pretty sure I used Rancho RS973 bushings in the frame mounts. They are $15 at Summit Racing 
Art C USAF (Retired)

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48cj2a
Thanks again for the info.  Where can I buy greaseable bolts? I am making my own shackles. 
Mark
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Quadratec, 4WD Hardware, etc.

Not hard to find if you Google 'greasable shackle bolts'.
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The tabs on the frame are to close together from where the other springs were probably over tightened. All you need to do is get a BIG crescent wrench and by big I mean BIG and slide the wrench onto one side of the tab centered over the hole and pull or push depending on if your on the inside or outside tab and it will not take much and then take a hammer and tap the spring up into place. I had to do this to all four of mine when I put on my lift springs. Good Luck.
 
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Points: 447 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote R Qualls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 June 2014 at 2:39am
Got my greasable shackles from JC Whitney
1946 cj-2A x2, 1951 M38
1954 cj-3B converted to a MB
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