Suspension upgrade for my 69 Jeep CJ5

The Jeep is already sitting on the front axle...if you jack it up by the axle you aren't changing anything, suspension-wise.

 

What's the collapsed length of the factory shocks?

I think you'll find that the factory shock location doesn't provide much travel. You can raise the shock mounts above the frame and use use longer shocks, but that's difficult for the rear shocks - the body is in the way. If you use longer shocks and don't raise the mounts, you'll need to put blocks under the bump stops. Commonly done. Longer shocks will give more total travel, but the highest position reached by the axle will be lower.

On the race cars where I worked, They used very long shocks (ca 24") and put the top mounts way above the frame rails.

 

Focker, I am curious what shocks you went with and how they have worked out. I have very similar static measurements of my shocks about 18” each front and rear. Springs are not stock but not sure what exactly they are so I’m struggling to figure out the ideal shock size. I’m looking at shocks meant for a cj5 with a 1-2.5” lift. Not sure if that is for sure what I need.
Thanks in advance.

 

Ok. Do you have a lift? From what I’ve figured I’ve got about a 3” lift from the leaf springs. I’m not sure the stock Monroe replacements would be long enough. Just curious if you have a similar setup

 

I have Rancho 1" lift springs on my Jeep, I put Monroe factory replacement shocks on my Jeep, when I first put them on they seemed like they were topping out at the same time the spring did on the front. In other words they would bang if the front wheels came off the ground. I figured I would up grade to a better shock after everything settled down a little. That was in 07, I think it is time to take a good look at the shocks and maybe replace them with a little better shock. I have always been confused about Jeep springs and shocks, the old Jeeps had 10 0r 12 leaf's in the front and 8 or 10 leaf's in the rear, but they were a lot thinner than the leaf's today. So does a spring with thin leaf's and more of them ride smoother? Do they flex smoother? or does the friction between the leaf's cause them to drag more? Is it better to have thicker springs and less of them? I have seen springs with nylon sliders between the leaf's, they always squirt out. My 27 Rolls had Gaiters on the springs that you filled with grease so the springs ran in grease, no Sticksion, involved. So many questions, so little time. Good Luck.

 

Good stuff thank you. I went with pro comp es9000 they have a shock meant for 2-3” of lift that was recommended from the local 4x4 parts store. It will be at least spring or summer before the Jeep is ready to drive but the reviews were pretty good everywhere i saw. I’ll install them on the chassis in a week or so.

 

Rick, As a Tuxedo Park, you should have started with a 6 leaf pack up front, and a 5 leaf pack in the rear. Both front and rear were 2-stage springs, meaning the bottom two short leafs were heavier and flat. The Jeep rode on the longer arched leafs, and at the limits of compression, "bottomed out" on the heavy leafs. The result was a very soft suspension both on and off road with a lot of flex. All this is reletive because of the 81" wheelbase.
-Donny

 

Donny, My Jeep had a rusted out chassis under it, with a frame mount snow plow when I bought it, the frame was a mess. It was a Tux but a worn out beat up frame. It was rusted out and cracked and broken every where. I replaced it with a good frame from a 66 V 6 donor, with 27 k miles on it. So I never got to see how it road before I took it apart, I went with the Rancho because they seemed like with less springs it would ride better, but I really have nothing to compare it to, I run soft tires to help out the ride.