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Suspension 101

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by heffleysmill, Oct 20, 2010.

  1. Oct 20, 2010
    heffleysmill

    heffleysmill 7 Slot Hotshot

    Columbus,TX
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2010
    Messages:
    152
    On a set of factory springs on a 65 cj5, how would you determin if they need to be rearched? Is there a specific measurment from center line of the eyes to the top of the spring or were there different numbers of leaves installed on cj5s.
     
    heffleysmill, Oct 20, 2010
    #1
  2. Oct 20, 2010
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Don't re-arch. Many have posted that they re-arched and the springs sagged within a year. Lots of bad experiences.

    IMO, if you have a '65 and they've never been replaced, they are due. It's one of those things that gets gradually worse with age, and there's no real 'critical' distance. On most old Jeeps that I've seen, they have sagged so that there's about an inch or so of travel between the springs and the stops. You should have 3 or 4 inches of travel with good springs.

    Just buy some replacements. Bob Supplee is a good source.
     
    timgr, Oct 20, 2010
    #2
  3. Oct 20, 2010
    unclebill

    unclebill Banned

    a sun blasted...
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    unclebill, Oct 20, 2010
    #3
  4. Oct 20, 2010
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    If you (anybody) still has the original springs on an early CJ, you will be thoroughly impressed with how much better it'll ride/ handle with new springs.
     
    Patrick, Oct 20, 2010
    #4
  5. Oct 20, 2010
    sailorjeeper

    sailorjeeper What... me worry?

    Spiro, OK
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2010
    Messages:
    29
    What he said!!! If you want stock replacements Kaiser Willys sells them for a reasonable price.

    :v6::patriot:
     
    sailorjeeper, Oct 20, 2010
    #5
  6. Oct 20, 2010
    dvmbrad1

    dvmbrad1 New Member

    Thompson, CT
    Joined:
    May 21, 2010
    Messages:
    4
    Since the subject came up ... I'm trying to get back to rebuilding my '71. When I was actively workiing on it I'd decided to go with a BDS 2 1/2" suspension kit. I plan on using it for daily driving and light off road. Any thoughts on current preferences for this?
     
    dvmbrad1, Oct 20, 2010
    #6
  7. Oct 21, 2010
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    5,469
    I know that I am going to go with a set of Skyjacker springs for my niece's build. Patrick here likes them, and I have heard of several folks who like the ride.
     
    Warloch, Oct 21, 2010
    #7
  8. Oct 21, 2010
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2003
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    1,035
    Yes. It was night and day between the old, worn out, sagging, broken original springs and the new skyjacker soft ride springs.
     
    AKCJ, Oct 21, 2010
    #8
  9. Oct 21, 2010
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    3,437
    I put Skyjacker Softride 2.5" on the '71 back in '96. They're still on and working well. Great ride, combines nicely with Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks.

    BDS may be a tad stiffer out of the box, but I wouldn't hesitate to run those as well.
     
    lynn, Oct 21, 2010
    #9
  10. Oct 21, 2010
    theotherjmmy

    theotherjmmy Member

    Austin, Texas
    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2009
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    156
    I have Rancho 2.5s on my 67 and they are pretty stiff. They only have about 200 miles on them as of now.
     
    theotherjmmy, Oct 21, 2010
    #10
  11. Oct 21, 2010
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    I like the Skyjackers on my '67. My '71 has Superlift Super Ride springs, and they are mighty stiff in comparison.
     
    Patrick, Oct 21, 2010
    #11
  12. Oct 23, 2010
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Apr 4, 2010
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    7,155
    I have been pretty happy with my BDS 2.5 springs-they flex well and the ride is (relatively) smooth. I had Ranchos before these and they rode like a lumber truck
     
    colojeepguy, Oct 23, 2010
    #12
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