Am I lifted?

[Shazam]

Hi guys. My 1979 CJ5 has 33x12.50x15's under it (I think they are actually 32" tall) and they clear on the street with no rubbing. I have 6 leaves in each spring with rubber bushings and stock shackles. The Jeep leans a little to the driver's side.

Can anyone tell me an easy way to see if it has been lifted already by the PO? I'm guessing I need new springs anyway to correct the lean? They have been undercoated so I can see no markings on them. I'd probably replace them with a 2.5 or 3" lift.

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Old Dog]

This is only a guess, but if your 33's don't rub, I would think you have a lift of some sort.

 

[Sasquach]

This is only a guess, but if your 33's don't rub, I would think you have a lift of some sort.

I think thats safe to say

 

[Shazam]

Thanks guys. Now a slight wrinkle: I measured my 33" stamped tires (Mud Kings) and they're closer to 31".

Am I still lifted? Many thanks.

 

[Sasquach]

Suspension pics will tell the story

 

[BusaDave9]

Sight along the top of the shackle loops on the springs. This will give an approximate lift. But that is only for the springs. See this picture:

Next you have to measure the length of the shackles. Stock shackles are about 3 inches long. If yours are 4 inches then the shackle lift is only half an inch because you are only lifting one end of the spring.

 

[Shazam]

Thanks guys. I believe I'm stock with 3" eye to eye shackles and axle is pretty much level with the spring mounts. Thank you all.

 

[73CJ]

A quick way to see if it's lifted is look at the bottom of the tub between the wheels and compare it to the top of the rim. It should be on level ground. A stocker has the rim level or slightly higher than the bottom of the tub. The more lift, the higher the bottom of the tub is above the rim.



Lots of lift here.

 

[oldguy]

Not a pro here but I've built a few and my guess is that if you have 6 leafs in each spring pack then those arn't original springs. I've had two original (I think) 79s one with a 8 cyl and one with a 6 and both had four front (2") and five rear leafs (2.5") with a sixth short stabilizer leaf in the rear. I recently bought a new replacement set of fronts for a YJ, I'm converting to 2.5 inch springs on the front, and they had four leafs. Not sure but like I said my guess they arn't original so it's probably got some sort of lift or re-arched springs.
Dave

 

[BusaDave9]

if you have 6 leafs in each spring pack then those arn't original springs.
Dave

Exactly!
6 leafs in each spring pack? ! That's not stock. I didn't notice that the first time I read your post. It doesn't sound like you have much of a lift but OldGuy is exactly right, your springs are not OEM.

 

[Shazam]

Thanks guys. I counted each "layer" as a spring...even the very short ones that oldguy mentioned. Also, my 4WD catalog lists 6-leaf springs front and rear under their OEM replacement section for '76-'86 so I'm confused. My front springs are narrower than my rear. Thanks guys!

 

[oldguy]

Your right by counting each layer and CJ's had 2 inch front's from the factory and 2.5 rears. That's why a lot of jeepers switch to Wrangler springs when doing a spring shackle reversal modification, the 2.5 inch springs make for a lot stabiler ride.

As far as the listing for OEM springs my Winter 2010 4WD lists the following on pg AMC 304 :

leaf spring, 4 leaf front, (1976-86 CJ) OAI18201.10
leaf spring, 6 leaf front, (1976-86 CJ) OAI18201.11
and 4 & 6 leaf rears.

My guess is 4 leaf is for a straight 6 and the 6 leaf is for a V8 which tells me that the first 79 Jeep I had the V8 replaced somewhere. Thanks for the catch, this goes to show you no matter how old you are you learn something every day.

 

[BigAl77cj5]

Dads 78 CJ7 had a heavier spring pack from the factory. Pretty sure it was six leaf. My 77 has springs that have been modified by the previous owner so I couldn't check it for you. planning on building my own packs. I have to sets of cj springs and one yj. gonna mix and match, will wind up with a heavier set so she can handle some tounge weight from a trailer.