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To Lift Or Not To Lift, That Is The Question.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Brad, Feb 4, 2017.

  1. Feb 4, 2017
    Brad

    Brad New Member

    Race city USA
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    Ok. I am finally ready to put new springs, shocks and hardware on my 1970 CJ5 (134f). I have seen stock replacement parts from Kaiser Willys for about $600. I have also seen 2 1/2" lift kits from Rancho for about $100 less that include all the same parts. I use this jeep for mild off road but mostly daily commuting about 20 miles a day. I will be replacing the tires after the suspension upgrade. Witch way do you think I should go? Any experience? I will likely run 31 inch tires if I go stock. Thinking about 33 inch if I go with the lift. Thanks for any input.
     
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  2. Feb 4, 2017
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    I was in that position about 20-25 years ago, I put on heavy duty springs from JC Whitney. I ended up with about a2" lift. I prefer the stance, but the ride is harder. I am running 30.5s right now but plan on going to 32 or 33s in the near future.

    By the way if you park your jeep in a garage be wary of your overall height versus garage door opening.
     
  3. Feb 4, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    It's a slippery slope....
     
  4. Feb 4, 2017
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    You will not be disappointed with a 2.5" lift, that is why you see so many. Just the perfect amount for these cj's. it allows for a few tire sizes up from stock. Great handling on the road and for mild off road. For the brand I chose BDS after a lot of research. In suspensions, going with a cheaper setup will yield regrets every time. A lot of posts here on ECJ5 with pictures too.
    :)
     
  5. Feb 4, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    31" tires are fine IMHO. Remember 33s would be the equivalent of an even higher gear ratio, and an F-head has limited power.
     
  6. Feb 4, 2017
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Rancho is notoriously stiff ( I've had a set, my current superlifts aren't much better and they were used!) Echoing above with the f head and your mild off road needs I'd consider a 1" lift and a set of 31's. Most jeep springs are pretty tired by the time they get replaced. You'll likely be surprised by how much higher it sits even with new stockers.
     
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  7. Feb 4, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    I agree with Rich. Consider some 1" lift springs. I think they are just right for 31s. And they don't require a bunch of other stuff to make it happen.
     
  8. Feb 4, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    31"s should not require any lift. The diameter of the rear wheel openings is about 33", and that's the usual limiting factor.

    The main problem: no individual compares the various lift options - they have a single data point to compare to. I have a BDS lift kit and Skyjacker shocks on my CJ-6 and they are supposedly 2" pf lift. Realize that the factory heavy duty suspension is 1-1.5" lift compared to the standard spring configuration.
     
  9. Feb 4, 2017
    Brad

    Brad New Member

    Race city USA
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    Where can I find some 1" lift springs? All I seem to see are 2.5" lift.
     
  10. Feb 4, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    I have no recommendations on brand, but I prefer the softest spring I can find. It helps eliminate the buckboard ride, and actually preforms much better off road, while still being comfortable on the road. The downside is you have to corner a little slower on the road due to more lean.
    About 30 years ago, I pulled 4 sets of springs apart and mixed/matched leaves between them and came up with a great combination with around 2" of lift, but very soft. I used my old Tux short bottom leaves, as well as some from a Ford pickup, all which were flat and heavy, so they were still 2-stage. The Jeep rode high on the arched leaves, but at compression would get stiff and hard at the limit.
    I think this is what one of the old Sky Jacker springs did too, but don't know if they are still around. Consider how stiff you want when shopping for your springs; firm is not always better. I'm gathering parts to "build" my own springs for a '66 V6 that will use the 2 1/2" Wrangler style setup, and some Isuzu Rodeo rear springs are going to be the basis, again going 2-stage.
    -Donny
     
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  11. Feb 4, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Hmm. Yea, I'm not finding a 1" spring anywhere either. Maybe they don't offer them anymore. I think they are still available for flat fender jeeps but, that doesn't do you any good.
     
  12. Feb 4, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    I love having a couple inches of lift. Mine is an old rancho kit - definitely rides rough and not a whole lot of flex for off road articulation. At some point I replaced the shocks with something a bit softer and that helped some as well as keeping the tire pressure low. But as Tim says, I can't compare it to anything else as I've never run any other lift. I'd recommend something that has some flex or softer ride springs...but don't know how you'd really determine that ahead of time. I'd probably try Skyjacker for my next lift if I ever need one.

    Also wondering about practicality of anything over 31s with F134.
     
  13. Feb 5, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    If you buy the heavier "optional" springs, you should get about 1" more ride height than the standard springs would give you. Here is an example of standard springs, 7 or 9 leaf front and 5 leaf rear. The optional "heavy duty springs and shocks" for this year had 10 leaves front and rear.

    CJ6Springs2.jpg
     
  14. Feb 5, 2017
    eti engineer

    eti engineer Member

    Great Central...
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    I put 2.5 " lift on mine with 31" tires and it seems to be the ideal situation with the 134F, but I also changed the carburetion (see below). The engine would have a difficult time handling anything larger. I also have a set of 15" mags with street tires on them. When I put them on, the jeep moves out more quickly, obviously, but I lose about 1.5" of clearance, too as the tires, when standing next to the 31" tires are about 3" shorter in diameter. Your speedo will be off quite a bit once you put the larger tires on. Just a reminder. I use my old GPS in the Jeep to keep track of my speed. Works fine...
     
  15. Feb 5, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Howard's (make that Tim's) photo shows the factory 2-stage springs at the top of his picture. You can disassemble these, have the curved springs re-arched, or find some other donor to get a little more lift. Reassemble and your on your way. I have added thin strips of plastic or teflon between the leaves to act as bearings. This way, you can keep a soft ride, yet still have full firm at compression.
    -Donny
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2017
  16. Feb 5, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Who's Howard?
     
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  17. Feb 5, 2017
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    virginia
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    I bought a suspension kit for my 3b from KW and it has worked fine for 3 yrs or so now, I'm happy with them. I put a set of stock springs from KW on my cj 6, and they were way too soft. Actually so bad, they would bottom out on hard stops. I asked for a full refund, and Mike at KW was very nice about it, gave me exactly what I wanted. I now have a Skyjacker 2in. lift on my cj 6 and am very happy with it also
     
  18. Feb 5, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Ow! :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
     
  19. Feb 5, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Like James, I have a Rancho 2.5 on my V6 cj5. Purchased in the very early 90's. I like it a lot and feel that it's too stiff at all. But, I also have nothing to compare it to except the old lift that was on it when I bought it. Don't know what brand it was but, it was from before the days when we cared about flex. It was just about fitting bigger tires and it was extremely stiff.

    If I were looking for a new 2.5 kit, I'd consider the BDS. Everyone seems to like them. I am not sure Rancho even offers a kit for the ECJ5 anymore. I recently contacted them about U-bolts for my '71 and was told they don't offer parts for that vintage anymore. Not enough interest in them. You can still find some Rancho stuff listed some places though.

    Another option might be slightly longer shackles and a very modest body lift. I'd go no more than 1/2" net gain on the shackles ( 1" longer than stock gains 1/2" of lift) and 1" on the body. Just a thought.
     
  20. Feb 5, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Check these out. For Sale - M38a1 Springs

    Also, I think some OEM sets even had more than ten leaves, at least in some years.
    "The optional "heavy duty springs and shocks" for this year had 10 leaves front and rear. "
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2017
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