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Suspension Kits Questions, what to buy?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by SplagosFarm, May 13, 2013.

  1. May 17, 2013
    dubc56

    dubc56 Member

    Illinois
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    May 7, 2013
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    125
    Thanks for posting this question. I have a 56 CJ5 that needs new leafs as well. My question is not about the leafs so much as the U-bolts. I've seen on a few builds on the forum that people flip the u-bolts? Is there a benefit to this flip?

    Thanks
     
  2. May 17, 2013
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Extra ground clearance under the axles. Not really a concern, unless you have a lot of rocks in your future. I got u-bolt skidplates for mine instead, and they have plenty of battle scars!

    Regarding Mcruff's shims-I have a set on my Jeep. They are nicer than any production pieces I've seen and his price is very reasonable. He also did some machining on my transfer case recently. Again, excellent work for a reasonable price.
     
  3. May 17, 2013
    dubc56

    dubc56 Member

    Illinois
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    @Cooljeepguy

    Thanks. It seemed pretty straight forward but, I'm just taking in as much knowledge as I can right now. Thanks again
     
  4. May 18, 2013
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    i vote bds if it ever fails they will replace it.
     
  5. May 18, 2013
    Washington68cj5

    Washington68cj5 Member

    Eastern Washington
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    Feb 4, 2012
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    Another +1 to Mcruff's shims, great product and a good guy to deal with.
     
  6. May 19, 2013
    willys59cj5

    willys59cj5 Sponsor

    Gilroy, CA
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    Jun 1, 2005
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    I am surprised no one mentioned Ranchos 1" lift. I have ridden in a few jeeps and they ride very nice with those leaf packs. No need for any modification with these.
     
  7. May 21, 2013
    bluesmokemonster

    bluesmokemonster blue-smokemonster or bluesmoke-monster?

    Gold Beach, OR
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    Aug 12, 2010
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    86
    Are the Ranchos 1" lifts available for pre '76? I've been looking at the 2.5" lifts but I'm worried about my rear driveline which is only about 12" with the t98.
     
  8. May 22, 2013
    willys59cj5

    willys59cj5 Sponsor

    Gilroy, CA
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    Yes
     
  9. May 22, 2013
    y2grey

    y2grey Member

    Fayetteville NY
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    Sep 18, 2011
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    I run RANCHO 1 inch springs on my MB-5. They are STIFF but my 33s do not rub. They are a good candidate for an SOA but I would drop the bottom leaf.
     
  10. May 22, 2013
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Had those on my Jeep at one point. The ride was terrible, even by early Jeep standards. My 2.5" BDS springs are better.
     
  11. Jun 28, 2015
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
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    I'd like to breath some life into this old thread:

    I am looking at both the 2.5 lift and the 4 inch lift and I have no idea which one I should go with. What type of unforseen modifications are needed for a layman like myself with minimal experience in lift kits or general mechanics.
     
  12. Jun 28, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
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    If you are old and creaky like me. you don't need much of a lift before it gets a bit annoying and my 3B is only lifted 1 1/2 inch. If I pull the Jeep on car ramps, that extra 8 inches is a bit of a challenge. You are a young guy so I suppose you are doing it for tires you want to put on. Read up here or on Expedition Portal
    Lots of posts about what people have done.
     
  13. Jun 28, 2015
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Seems like the answer to that question is really determined by what size tire you want to run. Obviously, there can be a lot of factors playing into what size tire from your intended trail use, looks, and also the functionality/reliability of various existing components (such as gears, brakes, steering, axles etc.)

    I think/hope I am reflecting the general consensus of the forum here (maybe not - welcome to be corrected) but the 2.5" lift will clear 31 and 32 inch tires. Not sure about 33s, but that might be an interesting question to pose to the forum, if a 2.5 inch lift will clear 33s comfortably or if that would require going 4" lift. Also, seems to be some concern amongst the forum that when you start talking 33s, you might want to at least consider the condition of your brakes, steering etc.

    As for aesthetics, I really like 33s on a longer wheelbase cj, not sure as much on a short ECJ5. Think I will eventually go that direction but waiting until current 31s are toast, which may be a while.
     
  14. Jun 28, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    IMO 4" is a lot of lift for a CJ-5. 4" will increase your worries over drive shaft angle, bump stops, etc. and won't make a significant difference in maximum tire size - if you set up the suspension for full travel. With any lift over an inch or so, you will need to change the shock mounting if you want full travel. Without changing the shock mounts, you will have to install blocks on the frame to lower your bump stops. You don't want the shock collapse to limit travel - instead, you want the bump stops to limit axle travel. Measure the length between the shock pins, subtract the distance from the axle to the collapsed bumper, and that's your maximum collapsed shock length.

    Otherwise, the limits on tire size, fully stuffed, are the diameter of the rear wheel opening (ca 34") and interference with the front edge of the front fender on pre-72s (don't know what this size this is - I would guess 33-34"). You can fit quite a large tire equipped with the factory springs. So unless you want to run 35s or 37s or such and lower your bump stops a lot, you won't gain much from lift over a couple of inches.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2015
  15. Jun 28, 2015
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    I have too agree with tim on this one . IMO 4" is a lot of lift for a CJ-5. 4" will increase your worries over drive shaft angle . I did my lift 30 something years ago . and the recommended lift for early CJ's was 2 1/2" back then
     
  16. Jun 28, 2015
    djbutler

    djbutler Sponsor

    Rio Linda CA
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    A 2 1/2 lift will clear 33 X 10.50 tires on my '70 with slight rubbing of the inner sidewall on the front leaf springs only on max turning situations.

    Don
     
  17. Jul 1, 2015
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
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    Unless you're building a more extreme rig, you don't need or want the 4" lift. It's too much for most people. This is just my opinion.

    When I put the ~2" lift on, my old springs were so sagged out I got something like 3.5" of lift! It went down a bit after driving it a while but it's plenty for 33 x 12.50's.

    The extra height just makes things extra tippy on side hills.

    Also, the softrides made terrific improvement in the ride over the old original springs.

    HTH
     
  18. Jul 2, 2015
    Greenshirt82

    Greenshirt82 The Old Girl - '69 CJ5

    Southern Maryland
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    New but related question.

    Having never driven any other Jeep, or 4x4 for that matter, how do I tell if I need new springs? The old girl is 46 and was ridden hard when younger.

    Tim
     
  19. Jul 2, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Only tangentially related. I suggest you start a new thread with this question, using an informative title. That will make any answers easier to find by search in the future.

    Usually you'd replace the springs because they have sagged so much they are flat, or because the spring pack has rusted together, or you have bent leaves, or because you want more ride height (lift).
     
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