Lift springs 1968 CJ5

I am building my flat fender on a 1968 CJ5 frame and I am looking to replace the bent and broken stock leaf springs. I was going to do a simple 2.5" spring lift. What brands are you guys running and what do you like / not like about them?

These are the brands I found for this vintage when doing a search.

-Rough Country
-BDS
-Rancho
-Skyjacker

 

If you search the site for "springs", you will find about 200 threads on the topic.

 

thanks!

 

I have Rancho on mine but only because I had a used set laying around. My inclination is to go BDS or Skyjacker at some point.

 

BDS. Very happy.

Tim

 

I have the Black Diamond springs on my A1. They were 3" while everyone else was 2 1/2" or 4" and I picked them because they were in the middle. Happy with that decision as well, but off-road only with single digit tire pressures...

 

I went with the BDS for my 1970, which were recommended by so many folks here. I am very happy with them. Thanks a lot for your expertise guys! Next I am going to try the transfer case rear seal fix. Wish me luck.........

 

Thanks for all of the input fellas! I have BDS springs on my CJ7 and have been happy with them, except I keep bending rear springs... in like 2 trail rides... the good thing is the lifetime warrenty has come in handy, the bad is that I keep having to swap them out... I talked to BDS guys at SEMA and they told me that I'm either over flexing them or axle wrap is an issue. SUA 4" springs. either way it is annoying.... I will trust the crowd on this one and will probably order a set of BDS springs for the flatty project though. I havnt heard of any negatives about the older jeep BDS kits.

 

I just installed the BDS 2.5" lift with shocks. It's definitely is a softer more flexible spring. I took off a ProComp 2.5" that was so harsh of a ride, I could hardly get any suspension flex from them.

 

I bought my '62 with a 2.5" Rough Country set. Very little flex. Ride is not bad though. Running 7.00x15 Power King tires at about 32 psi.

 

32 psi? Holy cow! You must feel every pebble. 15-20 seems more realistic.

 

I inflate my tires to 75% of the rated tire pressure on the sidewalls unless I'm hauling a load.

 

I'll have to cast a vote for the Skyjacker Softrides as well, I haven't tried the BDS but I have the Skyjackers in the rear of my CJ5.

 

I figured that was a decent street pressure. I haven't had it offroad yet. I will air them down more when offroad.

 

I've posted this before but sounds like it bears repeating. To find the proper tire pressure to run on the road follow this procedure:

Mark large chalk lines across the tread from side to side. You want at least 1" wide. 1 1/2"-2" wide is better. If possible at least 3 to 4 bands across the tread.

Drive on dry concrete or asphalt road about 50-100 yards. It may take a little farther but shouldn't be much more.

Look and see where the chalk is more worn away. If in the middle you have too high tire pressure.

If more on the edges of the tire then tire pressure is too low.

If fairly evenly worn away then tire pressure is right or pretty close to it.

Too low of pressure will wear the tires on the outer edges and cause handling issues due to "tire squirm" or the tire sidewalls flexing too much allowing the tread to walk around.

Too high of pressure will cause tire wear in the center and loss of traction and excessively harsh ride.

 

That is what I do. I had a TJ on 35" BFG mud terrains on the street I ran 25psi and they lasted 55,000 miles. That was also with 5 tire rotations. The ride was great.