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75 CJ6 leafsprings.

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Okkie, Dec 9, 2013.

  1. Okkie

    Okkie Member

    Good afternoon to you all!

    It,s been a long while since I've posted anything on the forum, but my forgotten password is sorted out now.

    I'm looking for new either standard or 2.5inch lift springs. I was looking at getting Procomp, but they only seem to make 2.5inch and up, not standard. I want to run 31x10.5 R15 to get a bit more axle clearance.
    I don't think 31's with standard suspension is a problem, so that my reason for maybe keeping it stock. I don't carry much weight either.

    I did a nice but difficult grade 4/5 rocky 4x4 route against the west coast, and the leafs are pretty much shot after that.

    These are obviously expensive parts, and the transport to Cape town is killing me, so any input into my decision will be much appreciated.
    Further than that, the Jeep is a joy:)

    Regards,
    Okkie
     
  2. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    I have BDS 2.5" lift springs on my CJ-6, and are happy with them.

    What is the leaf count of the springs you have now? Standard suspension on a '75 would be 7 or 9 leaves front, 5 rear. HD suspension would be 10 leaves F-R.

    Capetown is a modern city - they must have a shop there that makes leaf springs. With length and height specs, a local shop should be able to make some replacement springs for you. Or, you could try having the original springs rearched. Normally I would not advise this, but in your case it may make sense.
     
    Shad Rogers likes this.
  3. gunner

    gunner Member

    Was in Capetown in '92; it's been a modern city for awhile. SA's geographical and (past) trade isolation meant it developed many abilities to establish self-sufficiency. Spring building could easily be one of them.

    But timgr is right- look around for a spring shop. Benefit is you get exactly what you want and no horrendous shipping costs. Don't even want to know what it would cost to ship that far....
     
  4. Okkie

    Okkie Member

    Hi Tim.
    Strange as it sounds but the originals were 12front and 7rear.
    During the rebuild I could see that it is still the original bushings, and the leaves also looked original. Maybe it could have something to do with the military use and local assembly, I don't really know.

    I had new ones made for the front, (9blades) and had the rear re-arched.
    The rears are keeping up O.K. but the new fronts are useless.
    We have a Procomp supplier in South Africa, so maybe they can help with the import, as they bring in suspension parts anyway.
    That is my thinking at least.
    They will definitely not know what parts or part numbers to import, so I would like to give them that information from my side to avoid an costly mistake.
     
  5. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Here's what I have - http://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=7&mo=28&ty=27&yr=1972-1975

    Note that I did not get the BDS shock absorbers, just the springs. You must pick your shock absorbers carefully, so that the compressed length is not longer than the distance between the mounting pins at full compression. The spring should bottom out before the shock absorber.
     
  6. Okkie

    Okkie Member

    Thanks a lot Tim.
    I will see if I can get them here at a reasonable cost.
    I get what you are saying about the shocks.
    I don't want to treat them as a bump stops!
     
  7. sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Shad Rogers likes this.