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Thinking about leafsprings...

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Dondo, Jul 27, 2005.

  1. Jul 27, 2005
    Dondo

    Dondo These are my good pants..

    Hutchinson, Kansas
    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2004
    Messages:
    314
    I was reading a 4x4 mag and leafing through an article about leaf springs. That got me to thinking about maybe helping mine out some. My A-1 has 11 spring packs at each corner. They are origional from '53. Is there anything I can do to "fix 'em up"? The article said something about taking them apart, sanding them down and repainting them with graphite paint. What would that exactly get me? The Jeep rides like a meatwagon as it is. Even with supersoft shocks and taking the airpressure down to 30, it still hurts your kidneys when bouncing around the steets here.. :)

    I'd like to replace the shackles as mine are these "C" looking 50's style and I know modern shackles would HAVE to help the ride and handling.

    Dondo
     
    Dondo, Jul 27, 2005
    #1
  2. Jul 27, 2005
    neptco19

    neptco19 That guy....

    Athens, GA
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2003
    Messages:
    1,381
    I think spraying them graphite only helps if they are squeeking and making alot of noise. Doubt that would help the ride any.
     
    neptco19, Jul 27, 2005
    #2
  3. Jul 27, 2005
    OrangeCJ5

    OrangeCJ5 Sponsor

    Taylorsville, UT
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2003
    Messages:
    422
    The best thing you could do to help with the ride quality would be to swap some Wrangler springs under there. It makes a huge difference.
     
    OrangeCJ5, Jul 27, 2005
    #3
  4. Jul 27, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    IMHO, no. These are 50 year old springs and are likely flat/sagging.. Replace them with just about anything new and you'll improve your ride quality.

    And again IMHO, you don't need to go to Wrangler springs to have a tolerable ride...I was happy with my 1" Rancho springs and the RS5000's. Not a harsh ride at all.

    Again, make sure your shackle bolts aren't overly tight, and make sure you aren't running 50 PSI in those new tires. You could probably get away with 25.

    But my $0.02 is start planning for a new set of springs.
     
    Boyink, Jul 27, 2005
    #4
  5. Jul 27, 2005
    sasquatch

    sasquatch I'm big in Japan.

    Kadena AB,...
    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2004
    Messages:
    400
    I'd been thinking about springs lately, too. I know for a fact mine are shot, had been considering the Wrangler swap. But maybe not, if what you say is true, Mike!
     
    sasquatch, Jul 27, 2005
    #5
  6. Jul 27, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    I'm sure the Wrangler swap gives a *really* nice ride...

    But it looks to be a fairly involved project...and I didn't find the ride in Dutch to be objectionable at all. Way nice than some other lifted Jeeps I rode in.

    I'm still planning, at some point, to do the Holbrook long leaves in SSDutch. Probably be more $$, but the install looks more more straightforward (and easy to undo if desired).
     
    Boyink, Jul 27, 2005
    #6
  7. Jul 27, 2005
    Grandpa Jeep

    Grandpa Jeep Member

    Peyton, CO
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2003
    Messages:
    169
    Give it a try. I had my springs apart to replace some broken leaves. I also had some grease that had gotten some dirt in it, so it wasn't any good for bearings. I gave each leaf a good greasing before putting it back together, and it helped the ride quit a bit.
     
    Grandpa Jeep, Jul 27, 2005
    #7
  8. Jul 27, 2005
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,470
    Just got back from my first time out with the Holbrooks on the '51. Man, what a HUGE difference it made. I still have the RS5000's but will go to a set of 9000's since the boy needs some new shocks (well, I get the new, he gets the hand me downs :p )
     
    Warloch, Jul 27, 2005
    #8
  9. Jul 27, 2005
    zed

    zed Iowa- Gateway to Nebraska

    central iowa
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2004
    Messages:
    745
    as mike said, the 1" rancho leafs made a huge difference. mine handles like a totally different cj now. still playing with the settings on the shocks. but it's much smoother and steady but i can still feel what's on the ground.
     
    zed, Jul 27, 2005
    #9
  10. Jul 28, 2005
    70CJ5

    70CJ5 Member

    Pleasant Hill, Ohio
    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2004
    Messages:
    114
    I'm looking for some too. Mine are shot. Don't want a lift but will deal with 1". I want to go back to stock tires and want a good leaf that will not sag in a few years. I have seen superlift and skyjacker have them. Are they better than rancho?
     
    70CJ5, Jul 28, 2005
    #10
  11. Jul 28, 2005
    speedbuggy

    speedbuggy Looking for a Jeep now

    Living the Good...
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2004
    Messages:
    1,270
    Just put originals on speedy tonight. What a difference. I just did the front, will do the rear this fall. Got 'em from Krage shipped for about 2 bills...
     
    speedbuggy, Jul 28, 2005
    #11
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