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New Springs

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by dafeeesshh, May 20, 2016.

  1. May 20, 2016
    dafeeesshh

    dafeeesshh Member

    Colorado
    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2010
    Messages:
    138
    After riding for 6 hours on trails in Moab I think it is time for some lighter springs for the CJ-5. I currently have some 5 leaf pack after market springs on the 5. I am not sure of the spring rate but I have hauled around engine blocks in my CJ-5 with the springs only dropping an inch or so. I figure since the I don't use the jeep anymore to move anything I can get some new lighter rate springs for a better ride.

    I was looking at Rock Auto for springs and would like to avoid anything by Omix-Ada. The Dayton springs look nice and the offer the spring rate for each pack. I was wondering if anyone has opinions on what spring rate would offer the best ride in a stock 1955 CJ-5. I was thinking of just going the lightest they offer which is 645Lb per spring in the front and the 865LB in the rear. I'll add the link below and a poser picture from Moab since you guys love pictures.

    1955 JEEP WILLYS 2.2L 134cid L4 Leaf Spring | RockAuto

    [​IMG]
     
  2. May 20, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    I would stay away from anything Omix Ada.
     
  3. May 20, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    If Dayton has replacement OEM springs, they were sold as standard and heavy duty. The standard springs should ride pretty nice. Looking at the Daytons, I would order the 3/2 5-leaf rear and 7 leaf front, if I wanted a softer ride.

    I think the few heavy leaf springs like you have are a Rancho lift kit? You can search for old threads, but I recall the Rancho springs ride pretty rough. On second thought, I may be thinking of Rough Country.

    Realize that you can't go a lot softer, because you'll have too much body roll. It's a trade-off. If you go softer, you probably want less height to reduce roll.

    Also, check the compressed length of your shocks to make sure they don't bottom out with the new springs. If you have spacers under the bump stops, you can remove them if you use shorter shocks.
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2016
  4. May 20, 2016
    1955jeepcj5inabox

    1955jeepcj5inabox New Member

    Surprise Arizona
    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2015
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    29
    Holbrooks 4 wheel drive. Gladstone Oregon. Have an aftermarket spring and they are a wealth of information on anything Jeep. (503)-655-4747.
     
  5. May 20, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    +1 on Holbrook springs.
     
  6. May 20, 2016
    Clinton_73

    Clinton_73 New Member

    B.C. Canada
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2008
    Messages:
    8
    I have a '73 CJ-5 with 10 leaves per pack and I'm in the same boat. I was looking at Rock Auto too, but also found Midwest Jeep. CJ5 & CJ6 Suspension Parts
    Has anyone had any dealing with them? Looks like they carry Crown springs.
     
  7. May 20, 2016
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Oct 30, 2015
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    I have bought a few things from them, price is good and shipping is not bad. MidWest, Walck's, Just Jeeps, Kaiser Willys, etc. all carry the Omix-Ada/Crown/Rugged Ridge brands. I myself would stay away from getting brakes parts, suspension, etc. from those brands. A few members on here have had poor quality issues and fitment concerns.
     
  8. May 20, 2016
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
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    Jun 2, 2009
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    2,104
    Look at tire pressure.
     
  9. May 20, 2016
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    Sep 17, 2009
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    Yep, looking at that photo, looks like you could drop about 20 psi lower-no bulge evident at all. Makes a BIG difference off road and when you air back up, no stability deficient to deal with on-road.

    As for Tim's comment, I think Rancho's are 4 leaf packs-mine were, and they rode WAY better than the stock versions. That said, Holbrook's are under there now.
     
  10. May 20, 2016
    Clinton_73

    Clinton_73 New Member

    B.C. Canada
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2008
    Messages:
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    Thanks. I never thought of tire pressure but I should have. My jeep is in pieces now, being restored, but I think I'll put the original springs back in and lower the tire pressure. It was probably whatever the tire shop put in them when that picture was taken.
     
  11. May 20, 2016
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2009
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    My 3B came with four leaf Ranchos, a hard ride so I pulled the short leafs out. It was fine until I put the hard cab on and loaded up a few hundred pounds of tools in the back and the spare tire carrier and gas cans. Went back to four leaf in the rear. The front has the V6, a PTO and a heavy bumper and a tow bar. It still rides on three leafs up there. If I run at something like 20 PSI, It rides better than my neighbors CJ7.
    Lots of stuff posted here about figuring correct tire pressures.
     
    Clinton_73 likes this.
  12. May 21, 2016
    dafeeesshh

    dafeeesshh Member

    Colorado
    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2010
    Messages:
    138
    Thanks for all the replies. I didn't drop any tire pressure for that trip because I had no way of bringing them back up to the correct pressure for the highway. I am not very concerned about body roll. I hardly drive the jeep on the street and when I do I keep it to about 45mph. Anybody know if I can still fit the 31" tires if I drop to stock height? I called Holbrook and got their voicemail saying they are short staffed so I will give them another call next week.
     
  13. May 21, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I'm running 32" Swampers on a stock 5.
    (y)
     
  14. May 21, 2016
    1955jeepcj5inabox

    1955jeepcj5inabox New Member

    Surprise Arizona
    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2015
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    Holbrook has a web site that talks about the springs. Just fyi :)
     
  15. May 22, 2016
    ziv

    ziv Member

    Israel
    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2003
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    298
    I have BDS 2.5" with 7.00/16 tires at 25psi. I run the BDS for 1 year.
    I can say that they are very good off-road specialy on very low speeds and technical terrain.
    The original springs i had for about 30 years were much softer and pleasent while driving on the road.
     
  16. May 22, 2016
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    x2 on the BDS 2.5" lift, very happy with the quality and ride.
     
  17. May 24, 2016
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Mar 4, 2003
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    My red '51 has holbrooks on it, and I'm putting a set under the blue '49 I'm keeping as well. BDS and Skyjacker on the ones being built for others or 'sold'... FWIW.
     
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