How to increase CJ5 rear travel?
richardoutwest
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- Location
- Southern Arizona
- Vehicle(s)
- 76 CJ5 304 all stock T-150 D20 4.10 gears
Been going thru several threads and pics on spring travel and been trying to increase mine but I seem to have come to the end but looks like there is more I can do by some of the pics I have came across.
A little history;
When I brought the jeep, the PO had a 4" lift installed with Rancho RS5000 shocks. The jeep was so stiff, it had zero flex! It was so bad, climbing simple hills with ruts was impossible, always had a tire sometimes two off the ground.
Limited on funds for a new suspension, I began trying to do what I could with what I had. I noticed that the rear shackle was angled in toward the jeep. Knowing that the shackle would have to arch down before it would flex and that was not good.
So I started taking one leaf at a time out of each spring pack and loosening up the clamps. This help 100% and now the rear shackle was straight up and down. I was able to get pretty good articulation out of the front giving a pretty good ride but the rear was still a problem.
I took out the spring packs and measured eye to eye (don"t remember what it was) and compared them to an old set. the new springs were 1 1/2" shorter than the older spring. Probably due to wear but had the same arch. I figured what the hell so I replaced the main leaf with the old main leaf.
This also improved the ride and some travel, but I have lost 1 1/2 inch of lift. Now I was topping out the rear shocks. I bought some Skyjacker Hydro for a 4" lift, and helped the rear some.
Using BusaDave's jeep for an example (hope ya don't mind Bro), is showing quite a bit more travel and rear shackle is straight up and down with spring under.
Mine has less travel and shackle is angled in quite a bit with spring under.
I am pleased with the front so far, seems like I have pretty good travel for the wheeling I do and the ride is good up front.
Wanting to keep it stock with spring under, what can I do to increase rear travel? What am I missing here?
A little history;
When I brought the jeep, the PO had a 4" lift installed with Rancho RS5000 shocks. The jeep was so stiff, it had zero flex! It was so bad, climbing simple hills with ruts was impossible, always had a tire sometimes two off the ground.
Limited on funds for a new suspension, I began trying to do what I could with what I had. I noticed that the rear shackle was angled in toward the jeep. Knowing that the shackle would have to arch down before it would flex and that was not good.
So I started taking one leaf at a time out of each spring pack and loosening up the clamps. This help 100% and now the rear shackle was straight up and down. I was able to get pretty good articulation out of the front giving a pretty good ride but the rear was still a problem.
I took out the spring packs and measured eye to eye (don"t remember what it was) and compared them to an old set. the new springs were 1 1/2" shorter than the older spring. Probably due to wear but had the same arch. I figured what the hell so I replaced the main leaf with the old main leaf.
This also improved the ride and some travel, but I have lost 1 1/2 inch of lift. Now I was topping out the rear shocks. I bought some Skyjacker Hydro for a 4" lift, and helped the rear some.
Using BusaDave's jeep for an example (hope ya don't mind Bro), is showing quite a bit more travel and rear shackle is straight up and down with spring under.
Mine has less travel and shackle is angled in quite a bit with spring under.
I am pleased with the front so far, seems like I have pretty good travel for the wheeling I do and the ride is good up front.
Wanting to keep it stock with spring under, what can I do to increase rear travel? What am I missing here?
