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Commando lift. Custom suspension

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by John O, Jul 16, 2008.

  1. Jul 16, 2008
    John O

    John O Member

    Tewksbury MA
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    149
    I'm looking at lifting one of the Commanados. I'll be putting on different spring hangers and want to keep spring under and I'd like to be able to clear 35"s. Not too worried about the rear wheel wells too much.
    Does anyone know any lift springs for any application that might be a good spring for this? I can make and install the spring hangers to fit whatever works.
     
  2. Jul 16, 2008
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    Hey John - how ya been?
     
  3. Jul 16, 2008
    John O

    John O Member

    Tewksbury MA
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    149
    Busy, too busy. Too many projects, so little time. Blue has been giving me more trouble than fun and is apart once again but will be back on the road soon. Now looking into the Commando as a father/son project for me and my oldest.
     
  4. Jul 16, 2008
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    I used BDS ride glides for a wrangler, with a 4inch lift, and all new hangers, and shackels.
     
  5. Jul 17, 2008
    cencaljeepster

    cencaljeepster New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2008
    Messages:
    14
    Have you tried Hell Creek Suspension? You can google them or find thier spring kits on ebay. They only have one kit for the Jeepster, 4" lift. I've heard good reviews but have no personal experience with them.

    Good luck
     
  6. Jul 17, 2008
    HeavyIron

    HeavyIron Member

    So Cal or East...
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2007
    Messages:
    570
    John O: Are you going to swap out the axles as well?

    trickpatrick: Got any pics of your lift install?:D
     
  7. Jul 17, 2008
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,466
    We put a set of 3" lift Alcan Springs under the '72 we are building. They look real good to us :)
     
  8. Jul 18, 2008
    grouperboy

    grouperboy n00b

    Tallahassee-North...
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2008
    Messages:
    297
    X2. Set going on ebay right now for buy it now $650 I think. I am planning to do the same. I have SOA now, it's a squirrely beast
     
  9. Jul 18, 2008
    Jeepsterman

    Jeepsterman I had a beer with Panzer.

    Southgate, MI
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    90
    I would check with Alcan if you want to keep stock length springs. I have heard nothing but good things about their springs. Pricey, but worth it from what I hear. If you are going to change hangers, I have seen several with YJ springs. Seems to be a good conversion for them.
     
  10. Jul 18, 2008
    John O

    John O Member

    Tewksbury MA
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    149
    Yeah, I've heard about YJ springs as well. I'm swapping in a D44 rear & D30 front until I get something else.
     
  11. Aug 19, 2008
    67commando

    67commando Luke

    Summerville, S.C.
    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2008
    Messages:
    3
    Can anyone tell me how much trouble the yj spring conversion is? Nothing is ever remove and replace. If it is not terribly difficult, I may look into it myself. Thanks to anyone who can help or has advice!
     
  12. Aug 20, 2008
    DaveFL

    DaveFL Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2008
    Messages:
    59
    Let me know what you decide.

    I am looking at a Hellscreek kit now. I looked into ALcans but expensive is right.

    I also thought about YJ springs, but not sure what you would need to do as I assumed the stock springs are longer than YJ springs.

    I also want to run this SUA not SOA.

    Dave
     
  13. Aug 20, 2008
    Jeepsterman

    Jeepsterman I had a beer with Panzer.

    Southgate, MI
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    90
    There is a member here with the Hellscreek kit. His screen name is Grumpy if I remember right.
     
  14. Aug 20, 2008
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    The front spring well all the springs are offset meaning from the center pin at the axle perch.
    They are longer toward the back of the Commando.
    I didnt like the width of the front springs.
    So I cut eveything off the front and started over with BDS rideglides for a Yj 4 inch lift.
    The shackel hangers are at the very front of the frame horn now.
    And I made custom reverse square Ubolts.
    I have stock springs w/ spring over in back for now but will go with toya or chevy conversion later.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2008
  15. Sep 3, 2008
    John O

    John O Member

    Tewksbury MA
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    149
    Thats pretty much the height I'd like to get.
     
  16. Oct 3, 2008
    Chili Palmer

    Chili Palmer New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2007
    Messages:
    32
    Hey trickpatrick; do you have a write up or more information on how you built the hangers? This is the route I want to go as well and would like more info. Thanks.
     
  17. Oct 16, 2008
    tennjeepster

    tennjeepster New Member

    Memphis
    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2008
    Messages:
    17
    I have a 69 Half cab and placed the 4 inch Hells Creek under it, I have to say it is very nice but be ready for one of the hardest rides you will ever have there is very little flex and the front drive shaft has become an issue do to the angle. I have a set of 35's under my jeep also just like what you want. Here are a few photos let me know if you would like to know anything else
     
  18. Oct 16, 2008
    60sCJ

    60sCJ Jeep Addict

    Southwest CT
    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    68
    So those are 35's under your halfcab??? Have the same 4" kit under my '71 with 31's and it looks like you have more clearance than I do...have you done anything else to lift it?? If not I think you got more than a 4" lift on there as I have none of the driveline issues you have either....hmmm.
     
  19. Oct 20, 2008
    tennjeepster

    tennjeepster New Member

    Memphis
    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2008
    Messages:
    17
    No, I have done nothing else to the lift, I ordered the lift from Hells Creek and installed it with no issues. I did make a measurement of the jeep before I changed the tires out and added the lift if first started from 19 inches from floor to tow ball. After the installtion of the tires and lift the measurment went to 31.5 inches not bad for a 4 inch lift i guess. I did not install new shackles or anything and left it as a spring under. I will say that the old springs were wore out but still not 12 inches of lift the front was the same as the rear. Let me ask you when you installed this in your jeep do you have any travel on your springs or is it like riding on center blocks.
     
  20. Oct 20, 2008
    OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    Michigan
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2007
    Messages:
    938
    Hey 60sCJ can you post up a picture of your 71 with the 31s? The lift I want to do is pretty much as you have described on yours.About 4".
     
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