Need Help On Shock Selection

I'm not sure what size lift it has, but it has dead Rancho 5119 front shocks on it. I removed a shock, with jeep sitting level , the shock is 2" longer than the center of the stud mounts, that seems kind of short on travel to me. What do you'll think? The has 31 x 15. 15 on it, guessing 1.5" " lift?

 

Post a measurement of the distance between upper and lower mountings pins as it sits on the ground.
You can then add 3" or so either direction, extended or collapsed (or whatever you want or are looking for).

 

16" center to center I'm wanting just a HD hydraulic shock, something a little stiffer than factory replacement. Using your guide of 3", I'll go with the Skyjacker Hydro # H7012 Thanks for the help!

 

That's important to have good ones.
I paid the Jeep shop to change mine, they are Monroe blue.
I should have ask for top quality, it exists, and it gives better stability and comfort.
More expensive of course but it is for years, and for your pleasure.
The question is to get the exact size, take time to ask and check, maybe get used ones free at the shop to check, 1 front one rear.
Specialists on the forum will help.

 

That 3" was just a generalization on my part.....
You should jack up one wheel and see how much lift or flex you have and measure again.
Compression you can kind of eyeball/measure till near the axle bumper.
Anyways, use you measurements to go shock shopping in a shock spec catalog till you find one that's close to your measurements.

 

Yes, the old front Rancho that I took off is 11.75 compressed, 18.00 extended, for 6.25 travel and the distance between the shock studs is 16" center to center. I'll jack up one wheel to check the flex before I order. Good idea! My wife isn't impressed with the ride quality of this jeep so far, so I'm taking small steps to see if i can make it better, I don't want to spend a lot of $$$ until I decide if I'm going to keep it or sell it. Thanks for the help.

 

Make sure you have extra length for when the wheels come off the ground so you don't pull the ends off the shocks. Yes they do come off the ground sometimes, even going slow.

 

don't sell your jeep!

 

Leave it on the trailer and deliver it to me. You can make the wife happy and save money at the same time. It wont ever be a comfy ride.

 

I actually like the way it rides and somewhat handles, it's what I grew up with, my wife likes the CJ7 platform better. I'm going to make a few changes and see how it goes, I'm not fired up about selling, I looked a long time to find a decent one with a v6.

 

CJ7 is definitely more reasonable, but you can modify a 5 to be better.

 

Nice looking Jeep.
There was a member here several years ago that had a CJ5 that looks much like yours. He moved out of Calif.
Think ppilotmike was his name here.

 

In 1984 I bought a 79 cj7 Ozark Eagle edition, 304, 4 speed, small lift, full cage etc... wish I never sold that one, I bought this cj5 to relive some of those earlier days. I hope to have it on the road in a couple of weeks and we'll, see how it goes. I'll post pictures when I'm done with some changes and repairing some small issues. It's freezing cold here and my shop isn't much better, but I'm headed out there to get a few things done.

 

I was told the previous owner was a pilot, there's also an aircraft decal on the rear window still, it probably is his old jeep.

 

Searching around in old threads from 2007, I found info that Mike had posted on his Jeep:

8305017 361233, Sept 69, V6 CJ5 paint 435 burnished bronze

Does this match yours ?

 

Back in from the frozen shop and the mailman just dropped off the title, it's a match!

 

that's REALLY COOL

 

Remember that those shocks are at a 45 degree angle so that means they only do half the work of an straight up/down shock and use half (+/-) the distance of travel. After I figured this out I went with dual shocks...and now 30 years later I am running one straight up/down.

The old design kept the shocks out of the tub area, the new ones come into the tub area with a sheet metal box around them.

The shocks I used on the old duals were not HD but good quality stock shocks with no lift.

Dale

 

Maybe your shock absorbers are good, but tyres are too high inflated?
Your problem is comfort ?
Seats can be a solution, farmers get seats with shock absorbers... I have modified mine too for better comfort.
My neighbor farmer was unhappy, back ache, because of moles and others making houses in his field.
I crossed his field with my Jeep and I understood, jumping all the time.
I imagine with bad seats, it is like a hammer hitting your back!
You can get a good passenger seat, for your wife. It is not cheap.

 

With the shock off the vehicle and fully extended, I can can collapse the first 2" with one finger, I'm guessing they were gas charged at one time? Even if they're hydraulics, they shouldn't compress that easily. PO had the seats redone, they're really nice and comfy. I've been on Advance Adapters site and was checking out their manual saginaw steering conversions, I think that setup would really help this jeep in terms of handling. The kit is pretty pricey, so going to have to think about that.