CJ5 Lift - Shackles / Lift Kits?

[IrmoDog]

I am wanting to get a lift kit for my 1980 CJ5 . I have 32 tires so I know I have to be 2-1/2" to 3".

Being new to jeeps, what is the best method.

I need to replace the shackles which are based on lift, but the kits are also based on inches. Do you add them together...

Shackles - 1" + Kit 2" = 3" total lift?

 

[dalefan88]

i have 2.5" lift and .5" shackles. i have 31" tires but looking on cl for a good deal on 32" or 33"

 

[Cheepjeep85]

i know based on my post that people think i'm pushing rustysoffroad but i think its the best lift kit you can get for the money. so check them out they have a 3" spring lift kit with shocks pretty cheap. i'm extremely happy with my 4" kit for CJ7

 

[dalefan88]

i know alot of people get stuff from rustysoffroad. my buddy has there parts on his xj and its good stuff for a good price. if i didnt find my pro comp lift new on cl for $225 i was going to get a rustys or black diamond lift.

 

[IrmoDog]

Excuse my ignorance......

So the shackles inches + the leaf inches is the total lift height.

I almost ordered 2" shackles with 2.5" lift so then I would be at 4.5" inches which is to high for my needs.

???

 

[IrmoDog]

The tires that I have for my CJ are

33X12.5x15R

 

[dalefan88]

Excuse my ignorance......

So the shackles inches + the leaf inches is the total lift height.

I almost ordered 2" shackles with 2.5" lift so then I would be at 4.5" inches which is to high for my needs.

???

yep. you dont want to go crazy with the shackle lift, it will screw up you steering.

 

[elwood blues]

I am wanting to get a lift kit for my 1980 CJ5 . I have 32 tires so I know I have to be 2-1/2" to 3".

Being new to jeeps, what is the best method.

Body lift is BAD. Suspension lift all the way. Take your time, do some research, make a list of what all you're going to need. New leaf springs, new ubolts, new shocks, etc, etc. Remember most expensive doesn't always equal the best quality.

I need to replace the shackles which are based on lift, but the kits are also based on inches. Do you add them together...

Shackles - 1" + Kit 2" = 3" total lift?

Shackles are listed on overall length, 1" longer than stock only nets you 1/2" of lift. So 2" longer than stock shackles will gain you 1" of lift. Be wary of going with anything bigger than 3" longer than stock though.

If you go with a good suspension kit, like Cheepjeep said, Rusty's offroad, or Skyjacker, or Superlift or whomever, the kits include both the longer shackles and leaf springs to gain a net total of xx" of lift.

 

[Cheepjeep85]

crazy shackle lifts will get you more body roll to as they aren't quite as stable as shorter shackles.

 

[BajaEdition]

biggest problem is that a shackle lift changes the angle of your front axle from flat which affects the caster angle, or teh angle of the steering liine fron verticle, it affects the steering stability.
this is taken care of by shims, for a small degree, or cutting the spring perches off and rewelding them level and then running stock shims. What is needed with most lift shackles is the welding thinggy. I do not suggest them if you do not need them but instead a larger lift.
What ever you do, you will need to extend your bumpstops once the lift is done to keep those tires from rubbing at full stab.