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Stock Suspension

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by cj573, Dec 19, 2021.

  1. Dec 19, 2021
    cj573

    cj573 Member

    Pittsburgh
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    I have a 73 cj5 with a fiberglass body. I would like to go back to stock spring. Currently have a 2 inch skyjacker soft ride on them. What I am concerned about is it rolling. I am in the process of rebuilding. I am not sure what to do
     
  2. Dec 19, 2021
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
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    Do you do ALLOT of off camber driving? I know a rollover is never planned, but there is so much a reasonable driver can do to minimize the risk. Speed over uneven terrain and abrupt steering input should be avoided at all costs!
    A good aftermarket 2" lift makes the CJ5 far more capable and just looks better with 31" diameter or so tires. (y)
    If you're watching YouTube videos with CJ5 roll overs, make sure you understand the typical driving errors involved leading up to such an event. ;)
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2021
  3. Dec 19, 2021
    cj573

    cj573 Member

    Pittsburgh
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    I am going to using this as a daily driver to work and back and around town. Just local driving no highway driving
     
  4. Dec 19, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    I have a 2.5” rancho lift, and it doesn’t feel tippy at all. I wouldn’t want to run an autocross course with it, but I wouldn’t do that with stock suspension either. for everyday driving and off-road, it feels just right.
     
    dnb71R2 likes this.
  5. Dec 19, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Just a heads up, a “stock” replacement set of springs is really stiff and might ride as high as the softer 2” soft rides.
     
  6. Dec 19, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    CJs of this era have the springs mounted far inboard, which allows a lot of body roll. The stiffer the springs, the less body roll you will have.

    ITLKSEZ is right that the factory springs from this era are quite stiff. Original heavy duty springs from a '73 are 10 leaves, front and rear. The standard springs are usually 7 leaf front, and progressive 5-leaf rear. The standard springs are softer, but they also ride lower, giving less body roll.

    What tires and wheels will you use? If you pick shorter tires with narrower profile, you will both be less likely to lean and more likely to skid in any evasive maneuver. Realize the widest factory tire was a H78-15, which was something like 28" tall.
     
  7. Dec 19, 2021
    cj573

    cj573 Member

    Pittsburgh
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    I have not decided on what size tires yet. With out the lift I had 28 inch tires. What is a good and safe tire with a 2inch lift
     
  8. Dec 19, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    "Safe" is a value judgement. Anything larger than the factory tires is on you.
     
  9. Dec 19, 2021
    OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    Michigan
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    Here is a chart from JP magazine.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2021
  10. Dec 19, 2021
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
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    Where is the color key for the above chart?
     
  11. Dec 19, 2021
    OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    Michigan
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    Oops, it got cut off with the picture resizing, I edited the previous post to add it back in. Good catch.

    Here is another one

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2021
    dnb71R2 likes this.
  12. Dec 20, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Rolling on the street or rolling on the trail?

    IMO these charts don't address the poster's concerns. Depends on what his main worry is. If you are worried about rolling on the street, the possibility of rolling goes down with a narrower and shorter tire, and stiffer springs. Don't fit a hard top. With the soft springs and high ride height, the sudden weight transfer in an evasive maneuver could tip you over. If you skid before you roll, you won't roll.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2021
  13. Dec 20, 2021
    OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    Michigan
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    Meh, difference of opinion.
    I believe the charts do help folks in selecting tire size, anywhere from stock to the biggest that can fit up with a particular lift. As pointed out in post #8 "Safe is a value judgement", I agree with that. With his existing 2" lift he should be able to fit up tires from 28" to 31", we don't know that he knows that information and providing him with the possible tire size range info may help him define (or re-define) what "safe" means to himself and his situation.
     
    dnb71R2 and ITLKSEZ like this.
  14. Dec 20, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    IMO, if you want to be safe, don’t drive an old jeep. Let’s be honest, these things are death traps.
     
  15. Dec 20, 2021
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    :rofl:......But not quite as much as that Sawmill your build'n .....:rofl:

    ( Just kidd'n you , there )
     
  16. Dec 20, 2021
    cj573

    cj573 Member

    Pittsburgh
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    Let me give a little about my 73 cj5. It has a dana 44 in the rear, a dana 30 on the front with disc option.I am going to keep the 304, dana 20 and a t15, with a fiberglass body. I drove this cj back in the 80s in high school. I did not know about the roll over. I drove all over the place doing 50 on the highways, put it in 1st gear and spinning tires around bends never a problem. I know driving a 48 year old car I will need to be careful. What I mean about safe is staying at 28 or going to 31 and if it has a better chance of roll over at 31. If I am careful going around bends what are the chances of flipping at 31 inches
     
  17. Dec 20, 2021
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    50/50 I suppose.
    We don't know how you drive/what type of driver you are.
    Personally, I think you're worrying way too much about nothing.
    31's may not measure a true 31.
    28's may not measure a true 28.
     
  18. Dec 20, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    It’s never the normal driving conditions that are the worry. You can drive even a lifted jeep on 33s really aggressively without too much worry. You get a definite feel for its limits and where the tipping points are.

    It’s the encounters that you don’t expect that you need to worry about. The “tripping” moments are the biggest threat, even for today's SUVs and pickups. When you get a little sideways in a hydroplane in a puddle, then slide onto dry pavement. If you get T-boned into a curb. Slide sideways on some mud and your rear tire hits a rock. Lose rear traction around a turn on gravel and the rear slides into a gutter. Any time where sideways momentum is suddenly stopped will tip these over regardless of lift height or tire size. It’s the nature of the beast.

    The best you can do is drive defensively, use good 3-point seat belts, and have a roll bar that is tied to the frame, especially in a glass body. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
     
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  19. Dec 20, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    Have you ever felt close to flipping the Jeep before? I have a 1956 with a 2.5” lift and tires that measure out to right around 31”. I’ve never felt even remotely close to rolling. That said, these jeeps do have limitations. Primarily the brakes. But I avoid situations where I may have to panic and swerve. I drive the speed limit, maintain adequate following distance, etc.
     
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  20. Dec 20, 2021
    PeteL

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

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    Zero, barring the unexpected. Do you drive crazy in fast traffic, or like a bowl of goldfish is on the hood?

    Around my village and in the woods I've never felt even close to rolling my '56 with 31" tires. But the woman who owned it new had flipped her previous CJ3A trying to dodge a squirrel.

    The one time I scared myself was in a '72 or 73 with the 258. Hit the brakes sudden enough and hard enough to lift the rear tires off, and I thought it was going to stand on its nose.
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2021
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