CJ5 Owners: Need Spring Lift Opinion

[bvwrocker]

Im sure this has been discussed 1000 times, but I am doing a frame off resto on a 79 CJ5 . I am using a 5.3L, SM465, and narrow tracks. I am wanting to be able to do some medium to heavy rock crawling but keep at least some on road characteristics. Looking to be able to do 60mph on roads, but not 90mph down highway. I want to do a 4" lift, but am concerned about stability issues with it being a 5. Not interested in shackle lifts or body lifts because I am looking for off road performance. So 2.5", 3" or 4"? And pictures would help too. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hedgehog]

If this were a water department question we would have to design a the worst case scenario. You want a capable medium to heavy rock crawler, which means you have to design for a heavy rock crawler. This means you can't cut many corners in construction. I suppose this post wasn't very helpful, its more advice on what you need for how you intend to use your vehicle.

 

[Torxhead]

From my experience, with a 4" lift on a CJ5 , you are about maxed out at 60 mph. Providing your steering is aligned correctly. So I assume you are planning to run a 33" tire also. You will have to get used to being the slowest guy on the highway.

 

[Posi]

I want to do a 4" lift, but am concerned about stability issues with it being a 5. So 2.5", 3" or 4"?

If your looking for more stability I would ditch the narrow track axle for wagon 44s with wider flares. Set up your axle gearing so you have good control offroad and desired speed on road.

As for springs, I know a lot of guys run CJ4 " springs and like them, but I wouldn't recommend them. Their like riding on a giant "U", rough ride, and too high, especially running narrow axles. I would suggest yj 2.5" or 3" springs.

 

[tarry99]

Im sure this has been discussed 1000 times, but I am doing a frame off resto on a 79 CJ5 . I am using a 5.3L, SM465, and narrow tracks. I am wanting to be able to do some medium to heavy rock crawling but keep at least some on road characteristics. Looking to be able to do 60mph on roads, but not 90mph down highway. I want to do a 4" lift, but am concerned about stability issues with it being a 5. Not interested in shackle lifts or body lifts because I am looking for off road performance. So 2.5", 3" or 4"? And pictures would help too. Thanks in advance.

The First question is : What size tire are you planning to run?..........Lift is a component of getting tire and body clearance........while tire and wheel size is a component of getting ground clearance...........both are hugely important if your going to tackle some rocks........Wide versus narrow axles is a personal preference , but wide can be construed in most cases to be better.......unless where you Jeep the trails are all narrow.........
As mentioned a 4" lift will be stiff and rough riding.......A correctly installed spring over axle suspension could also be considered.

Personally I like a Jeep that has a lower center of gravity..........YJ 2.5-3.0 Long leaves springs , 2.5-3 inch lift, while trimming your body up to get more tire clearance for up to a 36" tire , a small 1" body lift should also be considered while also using Bump stops to limit up travel and longer shocks for allowing the longer leaves to have decent droop thus increasing overall articulation..... Wider axles can also be employed, but some tire and wheel combinations with the built in wheel offset may already get you as wide as you want........

If set up correctly , what I just mentioned above will get you a decent crawler , a good ride and still handle correctly at freeway speeds. It is all about compromise everywhere to get decent off road vehicle to be compliant on the street.

 

[KawiTexan]

Ok so I am the original OP, stupid account goofed up. I am wanting to run 33's that wont rub at full stuff. Anyway, I was thinking of running OME 2.5 YJ springs with a MORE shackle reversal kit. Thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hdgapeach]

Ok so I am the original OP, stupid account goofed up. I am wanting to run 33's that wont rub at full stuff. Anyway, I was thinking of running OME 2.5 YJ springs with a MORE shackle reversal kit. Thoughts?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Shackle reversal may be great off road, but I did not enjoy the street ride at all with the reversed set up on my CJ5 . Reversed shackles have their place. I just can't recommend that setup if highway driving at speed is a goal.

There are a lot of other options that will give you what you desire without utilizing shackle reversal. The mentioned spring over is one of the best. You gain about the same lift as you would if you installed the "U" shaped lifted springs. And if you do it right, you'll maintain decent street manners.

Speaking from experience here. I had reversed shackles and did everything in the book to make them behave on road. I put it back to stock and have never regretted it!

Just my two cents worth.......

 

[Torxhead]

I would suggest adding a 1" body lift to a 2.5" lifted CJ to clear a set of 33" tires. If that isn't enough some minor fender clearing and some extended bump stops for when you get into the rocks. I have heard a lot of disapointing issues with the shackle reversal similar to that above. I would also suggest a set of quality off road shocks, the kind that cost a lot of money for the best ride on and off road.

 

[tarry99]

Shackle reversal may be great off road, but I did not enjoy the street ride at all with the reversed set up on my CJ5 . Reversed shackles have their place. I just can't recommend that setup if highway driving at speed is a goal.

There are a lot of other options that will give you what you desire without utilizing shackle reversal. The mentioned spring over is one of the best. You gain about the same lift as you would if you installed the "U" shaped lifted springs. And if you do it right, you'll maintain decent street manners.

Speaking from experience here. I had reversed shackles and did everything in the book to make them behave on road. I put it back to stock and have never regretted it!

Just my two cents worth.......

All good points on the shackle reversal for leaf springs..........and they do have there place off road especially for high speed desert driving to calm down the front suspension........but as good as they do that job , stopping is another thing that can give you nightmares with axle wrap from hard braking. A traction bar will normally be needed up front as well as a complete make over of your front drive shaft in length. Bump steer is also complicated by the reversal as the rear mounted shackles tends to give the front axle a buggy steering effect.

Spring over axle as mentioned can also be an alternative , but the lift generated is more like about 5.5" minimum and your complete steering system from Hi steer spindles to your steering gear will have to be re-worked to get get away from bump steer while still also attempting to keep the proper steering geometry in place.

No easy fix!

 

[hdgapeach]

All good points on the shackle reversal for leaf springs..........and they do have there place off road especially for high speed desert driving to calm down the front suspension........but as good as they do that job , stopping is another thing that can give you nightmares with axle wrap from hard braking. A traction bar will normally be needed up front as well as a complete make over of your front drive shaft in length. Bump steer is also complicated by the reversal as the rear mounted shackles tends to give the front axle a buggy steering effect.

Spring over axle as mentioned can also be an alternative , but the lift generated is more like about 5.5" minimum and your complete steering system from Hi steer spindles to your steering gear will have to be re-worked to get get away from bump steer while still also attempting to keep the proper steering geometry in place.

No easy fix!

Yep, gotta keep the angle of the dangle in direct proportion to the right moon phase and still, it don't hurt to rub your lucky rabbit's foot every chance you get. Steering geo has a tendency to get rather "involved" on these things sometimes if you tinker away from stock setup.