yj spring swap question

I already searched and found two different answers. Do yj stock springs compared to cj stock springs lift, lower or stay the same? I know its hard to estimate on used springs. My jeep is a 1980 cj5 with a 258, t150 and dana 20, stock suspension with a 3 inch body lift, 33 inch tires. I know I dont like the bl either. I have a set of used stock yj springs I was thinking of installing sua or possibly removing the bl and soa. The main problem with soa that concerns me is the steering issues, I dont really want to spend $500 for a high steer setup. If I keep the bl I was going to do a belly up skid. I am currently building a 360 to replace the 258 that is getting ready to die.

 

Anyone??

 

Mmm. Can you use the high steer with SUA? Usually these have a tie rod flip at most.

'79 was the last year for the T-150/D20 ... just saying.

Removing the SOA? You wrote you have stock suspension. You mean "removing the bl and going soa"?

I'd expect the standard YJ springs to have about the same height as the standard '80 (or '79) springs.

I'd think the cheapest and easiest way to proceed is to buy a YJ lift kit that gives you the ride height you want. Certainly your suspension geometry problems will be easier to manage than with a SOA. SOA will put you way up in the air. You might call Bob Supplee and ask him for advice and a quote.

 

I'm running Wrangler springs sprung over shackle reverse with just the 7/8 pucks at the body mounts and a stock TJ drop pitman arm with the stock tierod and drag link and 35" tires. This setup works fine and I wheel the hell out of it. Drives good on the street also. Get rid of the 3" body lift. Stock Wrangler springs are pretty flat and tend to sag so I've added additional main leaves with the eyes cut off to get a little lift.

 

What kind of traction or anti wrap device are you running with the soa setup?

 

I think the YJ spings will give you about the same lift as the CJ springs depending on the lenght of shackles you put on. Stock YJ shackles are longer than CJ shackles maybe 1.5 or 2 inches and rear YJ shackles mount through the frame as oppose to under it on a CJ.

 

I welded a bracket to the rear end and using a kit from Parts Mike attached a wrap bar from that to a crossmember I added midway up the jeep. Works good. I'll try to get under it and take some pictures today.

 

For whatever reason I can't seem to load the picures. I can email them to you if you'd like

 

Seems like I recall that if you mount the YJ springs in the same place as the stock set up you gain like an 1 1/2" or so. The YJ springs are flatter but longer.
Course that could be wrong been a long time since I looked into it.

 

If you don't mind my email addy is toddluc@msn.com Pictures would be great.

 

Yes I was thinking of removing the BL and going to SOA, but I have not decided yet what to do. I am thinking that SOA would be too high. I have a set of stock YJ springs laying around and was thinking of installing them for more flex.

 

SOA with stock YJ springs should net you 4" - 5" of lift depending on which spring perches you use. I took off a set of Skyjacker Soft Ride 4" springs and went SOA with stock height YJ springs and ended up almost the exact same height.