UN-lifting a CJ-5

Would I be getting in over my head to attempt to remove a lift kit from a 76 CJ-5? I'm not sure if it's a suspension lift only or suspension plus body lift.

John

 

I don't think it would be to hard. You can tell if you have a body lift by looking at the thickness of the body mounts. If they are just the normal rubber bushings, you don't have a body lift. Do you have the stock springs to replace your lift springs? You may need shorter shocks too, if you have a big lift. If you had all the parts to put it back together, you could do it in a Saturday afternoon no problem.

 

Thanks for the info. This is a CJ that I'm thinking of buying. I'm having a heck of a time finding a CJ-5 in the Oregon area...so, this one popped up, but has a 6 inch lift. I prefer a stock look.

John

 

It depends, if it is about 6" of lift its liable to be a spring over set up instead of a true lift kit. If the springs are on top of the axle instead of under the axle like a stock cj then it will be a whole lot more difficult then just swapping back to stock springs.

 

This Jeep is at a dealer. I called today, and the guy told me he "thinks" it is a body lift. Is one type of lift better than the other? It seems to me that six inches is a lot for a CJ-5...more prone for rollover?! I suppose if I liked the look, I'd just keep it as is. What about the bigger tires, does that create wear-out issues with any other components?

Thanks, John (future CJ-5 owner with any luck)

 

If the lift was accomplished by a spring over, I'd walk away from it. It can be done well, but most times it is a hack job.

From a utility standpoint, I think six inches of lift leaves the jeep best suited for a static display.

Getting it in motion is only asking for trouble.

 

My thoughts exactly. Further, if it has 6 inches of suspension lift, he would have had to do something to the drive shafts so getting the thing back down to stock height may require finding stock driveshafts as well as brakelines.

 

Yeah, most car salesmen wouldn't know. If they didn't know, they would likely say something they guessed would keep you interested (and would not give away their ignorance) - they're salesmen.

John, I'd suggest you go kick the tires. Leave your checkbook and credit cards at home. Report back if it interests you - if it doesn't, it'll be fun and educational.

 

Thanks for all the help and comments. It sounds like I need to take a pass on this one. I'm looking at another one (79) that sounds good. Unfortunately, its an 8 hour drive from Portland On this one, the owner stated it needed a catalytic converter replaced. It has a 304, T-18, no lift. But, from the pics, it appears that the side running lights are not stock. This always worries me as I'm afraid somewhere along the line the electrical system has been screwed up.

Here's the link to the one with the 6" lift. It doesn't look like 6 inches to me...Okay, I'm sure there's a joke there somewhere.

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/8/2/78951582.htm

 

put my $$$ on 4".

 

Yea, not 6". 3-4 tops. If you do go look at it make sure to get underneath and see what those diamond plate pieces are covering up. Those are common rust areas on these vehicles and it's easier for someone to cover them up than fix it. That price seems very high to me, I would shop around before I made a decision. Just my .02

 

Good point about looking under those plates. Yeah, I thought it was priced high as well...but, it is a dealer! NADA lists them (76) out at 9,510 for high retail, 6,690 for average, and 2,550 for low retail. I talked to another salesman today and was told he thought it had about a 4" lift.