A softer, lower rear lift spring?

[thescot]

My 83 7 came witha ProXXXX 4" lift, Ive removed the bottom/short leaf from the pack in the front and rear. It dropped the front 1/2" and it feels pretty nice, the rear 1/4" and its still stiff as...well you know. Just for number sake I have 10" from the outer edge of my 80% BFG 32's to the bottom edge of the factory flare. I have reservations of pulling another leaving only 3 leaves. What next? pull a full length leaf and reinstall the bottom shortie? any opinions or success stories? I cant be the only fool with a Procomp 4" dump truck special lift. Im not against buying a new set of rear springs either, just at a loss as to what brand rides softest and flexes well.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

I think part of the issue with the rear spring is there is not as much sprung weight in the back where as the front has the motor to keep from rebounding realy hard. By nature the more a spring is arched the rougher the ride. I'd pull another leaf and see how it goes. Are you soa or sua.

 

[thescot]

Still running SUA. Sitting on a reverse shackle front end (what brand I dont know) PC 4" lift and your basic after market shackles. Kinda sits lookin like a stink bug to me with the arse end higher. Sounds goofy but part of my thoughts of a hardtop/door reinstall was to add some weight in back to help out, just not ready to cut out the full cage to do it. Im reluctant to run only 3 leaves though, but what the heck. Im curious as I believe Rancho's kits are called 3" lifts and any better riding. I really dont need this as high as it sets considering the issues that come with the lift.

 

[DHugg]

I think my '80 CJ7 has (had) the same springs. The backend would hop like a toad any time a semi-serious bump was crossed.

I pulled the next-to-last, or next-to-bottom, leaf from each side spring pack. It has made it possible to drive the beast without kidney damage, where before it was tooth-crashing just to ride along local streets.

Here are a couple of shots.

 

[Sasquach]

Still running SUA. Sitting on a reverse shackle front end (what brand I dont know) PC 4" lift and your basic after market shackles. Kinda sits lookin like a stink bug to me with the arse end higher. Sounds goofy but part of my thoughts of a hardtop/door reinstall was to add some weight in back to help out, just not ready to cut out the full cage to do it. Im reluctant to run only 3 leaves though, but what the heck. Im curious as I believe Rancho's kits are called 3" lifts and any better riding. I really dont need this as high as it sets considering the issues that come with the lift.

If its that stiff I would not hesitate to try just the three longest leafs, I've had hd pickups with only three leafs although they were very thick.
What length are the shackles c to c? You may be able to go shorter there to reduce the ride height, concider your pinion angle will change in the process some.

 

[hdgapeach]

Strictly my experience only: I've never ridden on the road in any CJ with the reverse front shackles without it magnifying every bump in the road. I bought my CJ5 with a PO home made shackle reverse with a 4" suspension lift (unknown brand) already installed. CJ darted all over the road every time I ran over a piece of gravel. The rear sat up like a '60s hot rod. Tried everything to get the ride better (wasn't even worrying about the rear ride height). Solution: Swapped my front shackles back around where they should be and got my caster back to specs. Installed a drop pitman arm to level out the steering geometry. Believe it or not, she rides like a dream now and the rear ride height even leveled out. I still have all the leaves in the spring packs, too. I can literally steer the Jeep with two fingers if I want!

I can understand the use for reverse shackles off road and I know if you're on the trails more than the road you gotta weigh the benefits for what your intentions are, but after my experience I'm of the opinion that there is no use for reverse shackles on the pavement. They transfer too much bump harshness throughout the whole vehicle. The whole ride and height problems for me was caused by the front reverse shackles, not the positive arc 4" lift springs.

 

[thescot]

Im not fond of a lot of bolt on , the reversal is one of them. I remember when they came out they were all the rage. FJ40ies and CJ's would drive like never before..bla,bla,bla. Now you read their not such a hot idea. To quote one of the builders.."its like a group of guys sit around brainstorming this bolt on junk to make money off, but know its not worth the powder to blow up"
One of these days Id like to trash the springs & reversal and go to a EMU YJ setup and be done with it. Sad thing is they welded on the rear shackle mounts.

 

[hole]

You wont be disappointed with OME

 

[hdgapeach]

Hey thescot, my front and rear spring hangers were all welded on. 'Bout 30 minutes on each side with a 4" angle grinder with a cut off wheel, a hammer and sharp chisel and a grinding rock to clean it all up and I was ready to install the new hangers.....with grade 8 bolts.

After finishing up and test driving, the ride characteristics were definitely worth the trouble. I can't imagine my CJ rode much better when it was brand new and completely stock.

 

[thescot]

Sounds encouraging Hdgapeach, I imagine eventually I'll dive into it after weeding out some other priorities. Sounds like a good winter/rainy day project.