67 cj5 lift suggestions

[oldjeeplady]

OK folks we are working on our 67 CJ5 trying to get it ready for this year's trail ride in CO. I need some help.

We need to replace all the springs and shocks, so my husband and I were wondering about what kind of lift we could put on this "mostly stock" cj now. One of the questions that came up was with the existing manual steering set up if we went with a 2 or 2.5 in lift. Is there such a thing as a "dropped bell crank" as we had some concerns about the angles and the effect it would have on the steering.

So what kind of lift can we go with?
Is a dropped bell crank an option???
Or does this force us into a steering conversion too? (gearbox?, column? power?)

So we would welcome suggestions from those who have done this - Thanks!

 

[mtnwhlr]

I don't think with a 2" or 2 1/2" lift you should have to worry about it. At least with the newer ones you don't but someone will chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[IOPort51]

^^^

 

[Sam5038]

Rocky Road's OME YJ convention. Has been great for me.

 

[mstar]

As the owner of a '67 CJ5 with a 2 1/2" lift I will chime in.
I am in complete agreement with mtnwheeler amd IO.
No problems on my rig.It has the original ROSS steering.I did purchase the jeep with the lift already installed,but there were not any mods made to steering linkage.
Install caster shims to correct alignment if needed and set toe-in to factory specification. Of course all components regarding suspension and steering will need to be 100% . Hope that helps. mike

 

[Sasquach]

Never seen a drop bellcrank. A couple inches won't be a big deal imo, it wont be a bump steer scenario anyway. Don't think yj springs are an option on an early cj Sam but could be wrong.
I think there are some mild lift spring options out there but I will say if you are on original leafs just a stock replacement will yeild some lift since yours have probably settled a bit over the years. My 3b I went with a usa made stock replacment spring and the lean is gone with maybe an inch of lift over the nearly 50 year old original equipment.

 

[Sam5038]

Never seen a drop bellcrank. A couple inches won't be a big deal imo, it wont be a bump steer scenario anyway. Don't think yj springs are an option on an early cj Sam but could be wrong.

I think there are some mild lift spring options out there but I will say if you are on original leafs just a stock replacement will yeild some lift since yours have probably settled a bit over the years. My 3b I went with a usa made stock replacment spring and the lean is gone with maybe an inch of lift over the nearly 50 year old original equipment.

If you want a suspension of a modern SUV OME springs are the way to go.

 

[oldjeeplady]

Thank you all very much for your quick responses!!

Yeah - we were worried about developing the "bump steer"....

We were looking for a kit that included the springs, shocks, bushings, shock boots and hanging hardware all together - if anyone has a brand they have had good luck with let me know - pm me if you don't want to post a brand name.

Also - I think I have limitations on tire size - we are thinking bigger than stock - they all have to be replaced - may as well make it count..$$$

Mike - I was looking at your build thread real close, 'cause I was pretty sure you had the info I was looking for and the same year model! Thanks!

As the owner of a '67 CJ5 with a 2 1/2" lift I will chime in.
I am in complete agreement with mtnwheeler amd IO.
No problems on my rig.It has the original ROSS steering.I did purchase the jeep with the lift already installed,but there were not any mods made to steering linkage.
Install caster shims to correct alignment if needed and set toe-in to factory specification. Of course all components regarding suspension and steering will need to be 100% . Hope that helps. mike

No I don't know how install all this stuff properly, but my husband does, and when we are done I will too.... I do have the factory service and parts books for all our CJ's...and just a "few" other books too....

I'm learning to weld too - more ...I'll post some pics in Dave's welding thread soon...

 

[mstar]

WOW! you have some nice builds going. I installed 31-10.50x15 on 8" wide wheels that were recycled from the 1969 CJ5 . With 3.73 gears it's ok ,but I would not want any bigger.My other jeep has 4.88's and the 31's work great on it.My '67 actually has a Overdrive (po installed) talk about a freeway cruiser. mike s.