CJ-5 stock leafs width

[3wheelingCJ]

I have a 75 CJ5 with what I think is a stock suspension. I've been looking into getting a small lift (2.5-3") and learned that the rear leafs are 2.5" wide, while the fronts are 2" wide. Is that correct?
I measured the width with the tape measurer and found out that the fronts are about 2 1/4" wide and rears are 1.5" wide.
I feel like either I am not measuring it right or I missing something all together.

I want to make sure that I get all the right parts when I do decide on the lift.
BTW, how's the ride quality of BDS lift? what I have now is horrible.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[dunebuggy18]

I think that the CJ stock width was the 2" spring and the YJ springs are 2.5" - Sounds like someone started a conversion to YJ on yours. I know that someone with more smarts me will chime in...

 

[mtnwhlr]

The YJ springs are the same front to rear 2 1/2" all I can think is you must not be measuring them right. I have never seen a leaf spring that is only 1 1/2" wide on anything. How are you measuring them? And yes they should be 2" front and 2 1/2" rear

 

[Posi]

I have a 75 CJ5 with what I think is a stock suspension. I've been looking into getting a small lift (2.5-3") and learned that the rear leafs are 2.5" wide, while the fronts are 2" wide. Is that correct?

No, stock front and rear is 1 3/4"

 

[Posi]

To expand,

The link below is for a 72-75 CJ, the springs are 1 3/4" wide

1972-1975 Jeep CJ Series CJ5, CJ6 2.5" lift kit 400H | BDS Suspension

The 76 up run 2" in the front and 2 1/2" in the rear.

With the measurements you posted it would appear the fronts were swapped in from the rear of a 76 or up and the rears are stock and your measurement was off 1/4".

I would recommend remeasuring the springs if they don't measure 1 3/4" chances are someone has been there before.

 

[mtnwhlr]

No, stock front and rear is 1 3/4"

Always learning something here.

 

[3wheelingCJ]

Here are a couple of pics with the tape measure. The fronts are correct 1 3/4, but the rears are only 1 1/2.

So, I definitely want to upgrade them to at least a post '76 width. The question is, does it really worth it or should I just go to 2 1/2" all around like Wrangler's?
What would be the cost difference?
I saw a Rocky Road upgrade kit, but shipped it's $1600, which is more than what I would like to spend.

 

[mtnwhlr]

You can tell the rears are wrong by the way the shackle is suck in to the spring.

 

[3wheelingCJ]

yeah, I see that now.

Any suggestions on how to proceed?
I am willing to spend a reasonable amount of money, but definitely wasn't budgeting for the above mentioned $1600 kit.

thanks

 

[mtnwhlr]

Did you want to do a lift? If not you could get all the stock parts from someone like Quadratec to fix what the PO have done for way less $$$

 

[Jimbos76cj]

You will end to replace your shackle and spring hangers. You can pick up a front and rear set of hangers 2.5" wide from ruff stuff for less then $120 shipped. They obviously will need to be welded on.

Get yourself a set if 2.5" wide springs. The spring mount on the axle should be widened. I've never messed around with the 75 and under jeeps so I can't give to a good play by play on this but a lot of 76 and up people will just change the spring plates to the 2.5" wide (ruff stuff sells those also) and not mess with widening the perches. You may need to grind into the housing some to get it all to fit right. Only other thing to consider is the shock mounts. If your mounts are on the axle your good. If your mounts are on the spring mounts you may need to add it to the axle.. Again ruff stuff. I don't think there's any reason it should run $1600

 

[Posi]

Here are a couple of pics with the tape measure. The fronts are correct 1 3/4, but the rears are only 1 1/2.

Jeep never offered 1 1/2" wide springs in a CJ, my guess would be someone installed trailer springs in the rear which came in 1 1/2" width.

 

[3wheelingCJ]

Thanks for all of the replies and suggestions.

I want to do a 2.5-3" lift and sounds like I might as well go with an upgrade to 2.5" springs.

I don't know how to weld and was really hoping for a bolt on solution. Will take a closer look at the set up today and post some pics and most likely more questions.

 

[tarry99]

Thanks for all of the replies and suggestions.

I want to do a 2.5-3" lift and sounds like I might as well go with an upgrade to 2.5" springs.

I don't know how to weld and was really hoping for a bolt on solution. Will take a closer look at the set up today and post some pics and most likely more questions.

45-68 CJ Stock 1.750 " wide
76-86 CJ Stock 2.500 " wide

They do make offset shackles that allow the wider spring on the narrow hanger. And the axle pads are around 2 inches wide so you should also be fine there. U-bolts should be replaced while there and spring plates also need to be changed to the wider format.

 

[desertscout80]

Go 2 1/2" all the way around for more strength in the rear.

 

[3wheelingCJ]

45-68 CJ Stock 1.750 " wide
76-86 CJ Stock 2.500 " wide

They do make offset shackles that allow the wider spring on the narrow hanger. And the axle pads are around 2 inches wide so you should also be fine there. U-bolts should be replaced while there and spring plates also need to be changed to the wider format.

If I understand how things are correctly, 2.5" are a standard wrangler size and are longer than a stock '75 CJ5 spring would be. Rocky Road sells a shackle that's extended forward a little.
Would a offset shackle provide the necessary extra length? Who sells them?