New Springs

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

 

I would stay away from anything Omix Ada.

 

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.

 

Holbrooks 4 wheel drive. Gladstone Oregon. Have an aftermarket spring and they are a wealth of information on anything Jeep. (503)-655-4747.

 

+1 on Holbrook springs.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Look at tire pressure.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I'm running 32" Swampers on a stock 5.

 

Holbrook has a web site that talks about the springs. Just fyi

 

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.

 

x2 on the BDS 2.5" lift, very happy with the quality and ride.