stock springs or wrangler?

Well, gotta order some springs. The ones that were on this beast were either missing leaves or broken. I was planning on using the BDS 2.5" lift kit. Now, should I stay with stock 1 3/4" wide springs or go with the 2 1/2" wide wrangler springs. I'm already in the process of boxing the frame so welding up new spring mounts wouldn't be too big of a deal. Just a little more time consuming. Also, are these early cj5 frames too short to do a shackle reversal on them?

 

I put wrangler springs on mine, but I haven't driven the Jeep yet, so I can't talk from personal experience there. From what I've read, they ride a lot better than the cj springs. I'm sure others will chime in about this. The frame isn't too short for a shackle reversal, the M38A1's came that way from the factory.

 

what is a shackle reversal.PS I'm new to Jeeps.

 

I did Wrangler springs on my Jeep and I just got back from Moab and let me tell you, it was amazing! I can't believe how well it flexed and and how soft the ride was. It was totally worth the effort to get them mounted up. My brother and I did Cliff Hanger with some guys and we didn't have a tire off the ground once! I have the RSX shocks with an 8" travel. They are a little stiffer than the 9000x's but the springs are so soft it seemed to work out perfect. I used late model CJ brackets for the rear with Skyjacker Softride 2.5" springs and moved my axle back 1", then cut out the rear fender and installed TJ flares back there. I used the 4Plus kit in the front for a shackle reversal. It really works perfectly, I couldn't have been happier. Definately go with the Wrangler springs.

 

so then you guys doing to yj springs are you also doing the spring over?, has anyone doe a write up about it or would want to????? im interested as im going to be tearing down my 69 and would like to install my stock 94 wrangler leafs, ( it had a lift done)

 

I did not do a spring over. I wanted my Jeep to have the lowest center of gravity possible so I kept them spring under.

 

The shackles are on the back side of the spring. Not under the front bumper. Just like this picture.


http://groups.msn.com/ScottMilliner/scottsjeeppictures.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=166

 

I went wrangler springs, shackle reversal and sprung over all at the same time. I was building mine for rockcrawling so that kinda dictated my needs. For general street use and just poking around on backroads SUA with stockish springs will be just fine. The wrangler leafs are longer and I believe are a slightly softer spring rate so they will flex more and have a cushier ride. However, they will give the jeep much more body roll. Mine scares the heck out of people sometimes, but its just part of the trail rig deal and I understand its limits on the street.

The problem with springs is that they are very subjective. Aftermarket springs will have a higher spring rate than stock springs usaully so its hard to tell how much they will actually lift the jeep. Also differing weights of vehicles will change the ride heights. When I first went SOA I used stock wrangler leafs from a 4cyl wrangler. When I set it on the ground the springs wound up going flat and the axle was resting on the bumpstops. Of course I had a heavy 258 so maybe that was the reason. Might be different with a V6. I wound up buying some procomp 2.5" wrangler springs and mixing in some stock leafs. I just recently bought some rubicon express springs and we will see how they do.

Pics of new springs. Can you guys tell I like my new digi camera! R)





My point-> May want to see what springs have worked for others out there that have a similar setup as you want, or you may have to do some trial and error on springs.

Honestly don't think its worth it unless your going springover. Whats your intended use?

Kevo

Ps. Sorry for the long reply. I think this is becoming post work relaxation for me.

Kevo

 

No problem! Allways happy to share pics!





The axle is a shortened chevy dana 44. I didn't know what I wanted to do for mounts and just came up with this. I had seen a lot of people add a brace to the inner knuckle C to help support the C and lower ball joint. Figured I could do the same and incorporate a shock mount at the same time. Looks cool and my shocks don't drag, plus they are as far out on the axle as you could get. Only drawback is that it raises the shock up higher.

Kevo

 

Hmmm, my wrangler springs are off of my 94 4 cyl jeep, sounds like I would probably have to have a add a leaf to keep it from being mushy? also what is the distance from center of bolt to center of bolt as far as where to locate the rear shackle? (for a reversal set up ) I have the 225 motor and want to have more flex than i cuttently do, my jeep will mostly be a street/trail rig, nothing real heavy on the wheeling side, just trying to figure out the best way to do this.....

 

Does anyone know the length of the early cj spring compared to the wrangler spring. The wrangler springs are longer, right??

 

http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/SpringsShocks/leaf_springs.shtml

 

I'm just here to help

 

Wow!!! ... If you hadn't noticed I am a little new to this site. Imagine that... springs specs already posted.... Anything else I should know?