BDS 2.5" or OME 2.5"+ YJ conversion

[yehuda]

Hi,

I'm new and "far" away...(Israel).
A year ago I switch "family" and move from dirt-bike (KTM 620SC) to rusty CJ8 .
Here in Israel the CJ8 arrived with long body but not same as Scrambler, different front window and narrow door opening. The jeep has soft-top and cage, no heavy bumpers or heavy winch, but I have rear-seat for 3 persons and I do carry load when traveling for overnight. I do not use the Jeep for day to day, but long driving on road are required for some of my traveling.

Any way I still have the stock springs and shocks, and now is time to go forward. I would like to know which springs will do better?
In case is the OME, could you recommended alternative Shocks (~200 for set)?
In case of OME - should I order CSO36R (Heavy-load) for all 4 springs or should I take CS014F for the front?
In case of BDS - should I order additional leaf for the rear springs?

* I'm going to ship it to Israel and pay around 50% import TAX, so less $$ is factor for me.


Thanks,
Yehuda

 

[Torxhead]

I currently have a 4" BDS in the rear, but for my next set of springs, I will go with OME. My current set rides softer than the previous cheaper set, but it gets more axle wrap even with the military wraps. That additional leaf might be a good idea. My experience with shocks is you get what you pay for and Bilstien is supposed to be the best, I currently have the Rancho 9000s and they seem to be pretty good and I always use the lowest adjustable setting. Shocks are critical on a CJ. I have seen a few pics from Jeeping in Israel, and it looks like a great place to wheel.

 

[PaRenegade]

I can't give you any "experienced" advice because my Jeep is still being put back together. But after my research I choose to use 4 CS036 OME springs and went with the Bilstein 5100 shocks.
But I will note that doing the conversion to OME's will require several new parts due to the 2 1/2" width. Hangers, shackles, bushings, and spring plates will now need to work with the wider front springs. The back will be fine except for the rear hanger. The ome springs use the 1 1/4" bushings, where the stock Jeep uses 1" bushings. I can't speak for the BDS but I think they make a conversion "kit" for theirs.

 

[hole]

I went from worn out stock springs to OME cso36's on front and rear, and it rides better after lift then it did before.

 

[yehuda]

OK, I will go with OME CSO36R for all 4 for my CJ8 .

I'm thinking on Bilstein 5100 shocks for CJ.
However I do need your help to know which model to take?
At the moment my rear shocks are connected to the springs plate, but in front my current shocks are connected to my axle - I think it good since I will not need a special plate to my front springs - YJ plate will do just fine.

Thx
Yehuda

 

[PaRenegade]

The plate issue is simple as long as your not going to use your sway bar. Then it's just a matter of getting the right width for the 2 1/2" springs and having the wider Ubolt holes in the right spot for the one plate.

Shock length will be based on your overall lift. Check Bilsteins site for the right part numbers.