CJ front leaf swap

[dixyson]

Recovery strap recommendations

I have a 1950 ford f1 with the front axel from a Jeep cj. Part number from steering stabalizer show's year as 1966-75. Possible it could be 76. Leafs are 2" wide and 44 1/2" from center of each mounting bolt(with leafs stretched flat due to weight of truck and being worn out). Each set has four leafs. My question is what other vehicle would be good for a part swap. I want to go with something a lot beefier that will fit without any mod's. The nameplate on the truck says it was 4700 lbs from the factory. The truck is sitting on a 1976 cherokee frame. I would also like to add a sway bar. Any suggestions on what I should get this for(the cj front end or the cherokee frame). Thanks

 

[Junkpile]

Vacation pics

It sounds like CJ springs too. The thing I'm curious about is the way they mount up. The locating pin to locating pin measurement on a CJ front axle is 27.5", on an SJ the pins are 31.25" apart. Either the spring pads on the axle have been moved, or the spring mounting points on the frame have been moved.
If the perches on the axle have been moved outward and it's a narrow track CJ axle, how do you fit shocks on it? Inboard of the spring pack?

 

[dixyson]

Each set is mounted on what looks like homemade pads(also has what looks like original pads still attached under axle) that are mounted on top of the axle. The frame mounting points are homemade add on also(or salvaged from other vehicle and welded on directly to bottom of frame with some braceing).Springs are fixed in rear and on swivel points on front. Shocks are mounted outside of frame behind axle. Top and bottom mounting positions look to be fabed. Bottom of shocks attached at extreme end of axle just before point where u-joint of yoke is.Put new shocks on that I compared to old.New ones are for '76"cherokee and fit except had to add 3" lift block to keep them being bottomed out sitting still. Truck drove better with them bottomed out than it does now. If you get above about 35mph or so any bump you hit or letting off of gas causes truck to sway and pull. Not a good thing.