75 CJ-5 Lift Questions

As noted before. If I were starting over from scratch I would seriously consider a spring set from a later model jeep. I:E: wider springs.. they ride much better than the old pre-76 ones..

 

John Stone has a web site - http://www.hudsonhawk.net/jeep/jeepmain.htm

NB he mounted 35s with a 4.5" lift. That large a tire will require the rear wheel openings to be enlarged. With 2" of lift, you should be able to run 33s without any cutting.

 

zila...where did you get the axle mounted bumper extension?

 

eh, I'll have to look. Quadretech has em, but I don't think that's where I got em. Amazon comes to mind. I believe they are made by Rancho?

http://www.quadratec.com/products/16059_50.htm


I looked at the tag and mine are:
Sky Jacker BP30-B

 

So after some research I have decided to go with an OME lift. I have been looking at the RRO 3-3.5" lift but I am concerned about fitting the 33's which I already own. Will this lift work or do I need the 4-4.5" lift. I really don't want to go bigger and run into the same poor driving issues. Thanks for the advice.

 

I've run 33s on 2.5 inches of lift it'll need a little trimming on the rear of the rear wheel arch and they will rub in the front on the springs when turned tight to the stops.

 

I run 33s with a BDS 2.5" lift and McRuff's shackles. No problem, no trimming needed.

Rubbing on the springs is about the knuckle stops and your wheel offset, not the lift.

They all rub on the inside of the rear wheel well - not an issue.

You don't need a lot of lift.

AFAIK OME does not make a lift for the '75 CJ. You mean the OME YJ springs? A quick look showed no OME springs for a YJ either.

 

33x12.5 on a ten inch rim and they would have smashed the rear of the rear arch when twisted up only had to trim about a half inch way down on the arch and they cleared. Your results may vary.

 

Mine are narrower and on 7" rims, BFG KM2 33x10.5(?) - Tire Rack does not list them currently.

 

That would make a difference I would think. smashed sheet metal is a souvenir of a good trip

 

FWIW, my bud runs 33's on his 73 with no lift and stock springs. He does use narrow tires, and has the obligatory rub in the inner rear, but it works.

 

Timgr...you are correct, OME doesn't make the lift. Rocky Road outfitters packages a lift which uses OME Yj springs. I am running 33x12.50s so I am worried about rubbing and articulation. I guess my best bet would be the 3-3.5" lift judging by everyone's responses.

 

zila, Did you end up going with the 3-3.5" kit? I'm in the same boat and didn't want to get the 4-4.5" CJ to YJ OME kit unless I had to. Thanks!

 

I haven't done the YJ conversion yet. I did install 2-1/2" BDS several years ago. But they are the stock width springs.. When I do install the YJ conversion I plan on the 3-1/2" one... I am real close to thta now as I upgraded my shackles to M.O.R.E. ones

 

Okay, I'm going to commit to the 3.5" CJ to YJ OME kit from RRO. If you'd like, I can post here how it goes. Should be complete in about a month (~3 weeks for shipping).

FWIW, I've got a 1975 CJ5 with 33s, no body lift, maybe about 2.5" of lift currently (can't say for sure), and - as far as I know - stock fenders. I do get the obligatory rub on the front leaf spring currently, and I'll be adding 1.5" wheel spacers with the suspension upgrade to eliminate that issue.

Thanks for posting the original question!

 

Let me know how it goes. Or better yet post a write up. I decided against spacers. I opened up my front fenders by installing a fender kit from MCE.

Another thing I have done to install bump stop extensions to keep the spring from over traveling.

As far as the rub in front there are adjustment bolts to limit the turning travel.

 

Ill jump in with some thoughts, FWIW...

First off, you didn't mention what your intended use will be for your Jeep- street? trail? That is something to consider in your build.
Personally, I've never been a fan of body lifts, but that's just me. My use for a Jeep never took me down that road. Body lifts usually create more problems, like steering shaft, clutch linkage, radiator, and other modifications. Guys who do body lifts generally need more clearance for bigger tires but disregard the fact that it also raises your center of gravity to a point of instability, particularly on sidehills. If you are not planning on using it as a trail Jeep it's not as much of a concern, but you'll notice some instability even on the street.

Lift springs are just that- springs that have more arch in them to generate more lift than a stock springs. Most springs by design are a compromise between lift and ride. That being said, lifted springs don't ride nearly as well as the stock springs they replace. 2.5" springs are going to be stiffer riding than stock springs, and 4" springs are going to be miserable compared to stock.
Again, it all depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

I have owned a 75 similar to yours for over 25 years. I have always built my Jeeps to be dual purpose. I use a 70-70 rule of thumb. I want at least a 70:1 crawl ratio and I want it to be able to sustain 70mph down the highway- I love driving them!
My Jeep is pretty simple in the suspension department. I still run the stock springs with some old Conferr shackles and am able to clear 32's on 8" rims
with hardly any rubbing. I have ran 33's but they did rub a little on the rear of the rear wheel wells so I settled on 32's for the last 20 years and and have gone anywhere I've wanted to go, including Moab and the Rubicon.

Just remember if you want to raise your vehicle for more tire clearance you will lose stability unless you also go wider axles.

Hope this helps- keep us posted on your progress...

Mike