77' Jeep CJ5

[xmwz001]

Hello all,

This would be my first post on this forum, I joined up today!
So I bought my jeep years ago with what I understood as new stock springs. I put on large greasable heavy duty lift shackles (which i regret), I am running 32x11.50x15 bfg km's at the moment and have no clearance issues but would like to do it right and have big plans for the future (dont we all). I was hoping there would be a few of you out there that could do a front and rear bumper measurement for me? Such as measure from the bottom lip of your bumper(where it meets the frame) to the ground. I would like to see how close my lift is to say a 2.5 BDS. It would be awesome if by going to an actual spring lift will gain me in clearance as well as handling improvements. Im trying to make up my mind on how far to go, it handles like to say the least. Thanks all, looking forward to some responses. Here are a few shots of the ol' girl.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Petescj]

Heres a link for some good reading material for you. Ditch the shackle lift. Im gonna say thats your biggest problem. Still a sweet looking CJ5 .

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/how-tall-you-i-mean-really-13239/

 

[xmwz001]

Thank you! I had a funny feeling that as soon as I posted that I would have either found it or been pointed in the right direction!

 

[cavie98]

Welcome to the forum. You have a really nice looking Jeep there. I like the white. I have a '78 CJ5 . It looks like you have the same amount of flex as I do, not much. Ha Ha. I'll try to measure mine when I get it back from the shop and let you know. I have a 2.5" lift on mine and it is quite old.

Glad to see another 5 on the boards.


Dan

 

[johnnyreb]

welcome aboard.
Wait they'll suppose to flex?
I thought they were suppose to be stiff as a loggin wagon?

 

[xmwz001]

I appreciate the kind words. I tell you what, after riding in my brothers 78' CJ7 with an old 4" rancho lift, a lumber wagon would seem like a cadillac. Mine doest ride all that bad, its just wanders all over the road and has quite a bit of body roll now that I put that hard top on.

 

[Petescj]

Im betting closer to stock hieght shackles will improve your ride quality.

I appreciate the kind words. I tell you what, after riding in my brothers 78' CJ7 with an old 4" rancho lift, a lumber wagon would seem like a cadillac. Mine doest ride all that bad, its just wanders all over the road and has quite a bit of body roll now that I put that hard top on.

 

[IOPort51]

although the "how tall" post is great reading I don't think it will get you what you want to know. How ever I can say from experience that the 2.5 inch lift will get you pretty close to the height you want and if you need a bit more the 1" body lift is a good option IMHO. I can run 33" swampers on mine with no problem so far. There are some changes that need to be made to the shocks and the bump stops as well.

I have had Rancho springs before and agree totaly. I have Sky jacker springs which ride much better than the originals did.

 

[xmwz001]

Im betting closer to stock hieght shackles will improve your ride quality.

I bet you are right. However at this point they are staying until I buy and actual new spring lift and do it right. It will more than likely be skyjacker lift unless I get a wild hair and splurge a bit on a BDS.

 

[Petescj]

If your thinking bigger tires at some point in the future the time for a 4 in lift is now. 2.5 will get you 33s with some trimming of the sheetmetal. If you dont want to cut it go 4in.

I bet you are right. However at this point they are staying until I buy and actual new spring lift and do it right. It will more than likely be skyjacker lift unless I get a wild hair and splurge a bit on a BDS.

 

[xmwz001]

If your thinking bigger tires at some point in the future the time for a 4 in lift is now. 2.5 will get you 33s with some trimming of the sheetmetal. If you dont want to cut it go 4in.

See there is my issue, well one of them anyway. Do I stick with 32's or go to 33x10.50's...I am at the point where tires will have to happen by september-ish. Also ive been looking into swapping to "wide-track" 30 and 20 and go to a 15x8 wheel. But then will I run into rub issues with the wider differentials? Would 32's look silly with a 4" lift? I am sorry I was thinking through the keyboard there.