Is This Normal?

[Vvajk]

When I bought my 84 CJ7 it came with about a 4" lift on it. The springs are all missing one (maybe two leafs) and I get the feeling it's a homemade lift. I'm fine with that, but it sure seems like a stiff ride. Like there isn't a lot of give in the suspension. I made quick video and would appreciate some input. Would I have a softer ride with a Skyjacker set or something similar?

http://youtu.be/4DCzj_HLgMY

 

[dschwab]

First it looks like someone did a shackle reversal with longer springs. I know this is a common thing with the old Toyota truck crowd is to install springs out of a Chevy truck to achieve the lift. I do not have a CJ7 but your fwd spring hangars look to angle fwd to accommodate the longer springs. The PO prob did this, realized it rode like a brick s$$$t house and removed a few leafs. The problem with this is the spring rate on most junkyard springs are far to stiff for the light jeeps. You may look into a set of Old Man Emu springs ( supposed to be the softest ride ); however, you may need new spring hangars as well for a shorter spring. and good luck!

 

[Vvajk]

Thanks. That makes sense. I'll have to look into making some changes.

 

[gr8dain]

Those are definitely stiff. Wow. That should have moved with you just getting onto the bumper.

If you want a soft ride, go with leafs from a YJ. They are wider, but the conversion shackles are available. And you will need to get new shackles anyway.

Good luck. I think that whatever springs you get, you will find them much softer than those.

 

[Posi]

Loosen your shackle bolts and re-torque to 22ft lbs

 

[Torxhead]

I would first consider the air pressure in the tires. Check the spring shackles like Posi suggested. A set of softer aftermarket seats can help also.

 

[CJim7]

I hate to say it, but those packs look like they are probably the proper dimension. The arch and length looks like my 4" packs. And yes, they are stiffer than a Lexus due to the added arch of 4 inches of lift.

I would do as Posi suggested and loosen/retighten the shackle bolts.

They are obvious bastard packs...but they're probably Rancho or some other godforsakenly stiff brand of springs that someone removed a leaf out of.
Also, check your shocks. I agree that 230lbs climbing on the bumper should have at least sagged the frontend a little bit.

Where are you at in Idaho? if you are close enough to Twin Falls, I could take a look at this for you.

 

[tarry99]

When I bought my 84 CJ7 it came with about a 4" lift on it. The springs are all missing one (maybe two leafs) and I get the feeling it's a homemade lift. I'm fine with that, but it sure seems like a stiff ride. Like there isn't a lot of give in the suspension. I made quick video and would appreciate some input. Would I have a softer ride with a Skyjacker set or something similar?

http://youtu.be/4DCzj_HLgMY

Your suspension looks fairly correct for the year short of the shackle reversal up front............Keep in mind in order to lift the vehicle the effective mechanical length of the spring pack has to be longer as the springs are re-arched to raise the vehicle which will make the ride stiffer.............The first thing I noticed is the starting angle of the shackle is near vertical............at that position you no longer have much suspension as the shackle motion combined w/the spring is what creates the ride............the shackle should be at a starting angle statically of about 20 degree's plus and not near vertical. When the PO did the install he probably missed the correct starting eye to eye dimension between the two points...............

Trying to correct what you have, You could perhaps take another leave out and drop the vehicle some which would help to correct the shackle angle........but it's hard at this point to estimate what those results may be. Also check your shocks.........most people over-shock ( too stiff) there suspension .........a stock shock would also improve the ride.......but getting the shackle angle correct is more important............

Lowering the vehicle means you will have less tire clearance and without seeing what your steering angles are on the drag link and tie-rod that could either help or hinder the final results.

 

[007]

To chime in on the good advice above... You might consider taking the front shocks completely off - just to see what your dealing with.

After you figure out what you have, you can venture down the path of what to do, there's no end to your options.

 

[gr8dain]

Is it right that the triangle shape of the shackle has 2 corners fixed at the top to the frame? The shackle won't move at all will it?

 

[007]

Is it right that the triangle shape of the shackle has 2 corners fixed at the top to the frame? The shackle won't move at all will it?

That's the hanger on a reverse shackle setup.

 

[gr8dain]

That's the hanger on a reverse shackle setup.

Ok. Seen them before, but never noticed that they were fixed to the frame like that. Knowledge gained today. Thanks.

 

[Vvajk]

Loosen your shackle bolts and re-torque to 22ft lbs

That's worth a try. Thanks!

 

[Vvajk]

I hate to say it, but those packs look like they are probably the proper dimension. The arch and length looks like my 4" packs. And yes, they are stiffer than a Lexus due to the added arch of 4 inches of lift.

I would do as Posi suggested and loosen/retighten the shackle bolts.

They are obvious bastard packs...but they're probably Rancho or some other godforsakenly stiff brand of springs that someone removed a leaf out of.
Also, check your shocks. I agree that 230lbs climbing on the bumper should have at least sagged the frontend a little bit.

Where are you at in Idaho? if you are close enough to Twin Falls, I could take a look at this for you.

I'm in Idaho Falls. Kinda far.

So, would bad shocks cause it to be stiffer? I would have thought the opposite.

 

[Vvajk]

Your suspension looks fairly correct for the year short of the shackle reversal up front............Keep in mind in order to lift the vehicle the effective mechanical length of the spring pack has to be longer as the springs are re-arched to raise the vehicle which will make the ride stiffer.............The first thing I noticed is the starting angle of the shackle is near vertical............at that position you no longer have much suspension as the shackle motion combined w/the spring is what creates the ride............the shackle should be at a starting angle statically of about 20 degree's plus and not near vertical. When the PO did the install he probably missed the correct starting eye to eye dimension between the two points...............

Trying to correct what you have, You could perhaps take another leave out and drop the vehicle some which would help to correct the shackle angle........but it's hard at this point to estimate what those results may be. Also check your shocks.........most people over-shock ( too stiff) there suspension .........a stock shock would also improve the ride.......but getting the shackle angle correct is more important............

Lowering the vehicle means you will have less tire clearance and without seeing what your steering angles are on the drag link and tie-rod that could either help or hinder the final results.

Maybe I should create a second, more in-depth video for some of you guys to get a better look at what I'm dealing with. My original video was just to show me bouncing on the bumper to compare with other CJs for spring flex.

 

[007]

I'm in Idaho Falls. Kinda far.

So, would bad shocks cause it to be stiffer? I would have thought the opposite.

I think the meaning of that post was bad as in - too stiff - like for something bigger.

Many people go to Autozone and get the toughest shock they can find. That's fine, but they ride horrible because they're valved for something heavy. You want a softer shock with these leafed suspensions.

 

[CJim7]

So, would bad shocks cause it to be stiffer? I would have thought the opposite.

Not necessarily bad shocks.....but really stiff shocks. As suggested, try removing them and run the CJ a bit and see what it feels like. There are some softer shocks available out there

I had a set of Ranchos once that were like 4 steel poles at each corner. between a short wheelbase and a light rig, it was harsh. I went down to the local shop and they sold me on a softer set of shocks.

Jeeps will never ride like a Cady, but the points to focus on are the condition of the leaf packs and the shocks.

Properly torqued hanger bolts, soft shocks, and well worn-in springs should give you a "decent" ride...for a CJ. the first two are easy. the last requires working the springs out (big deep ditches are great for this) and the possible addition of Teflon strips between the leaves.

If the leaf packs are bastardized to the point there isn't much that can be done, the obvious next step is to replace them. If new, I would highly recommend OME or (money allowing) Alcan. There always seems to be someone selling 4" springs online....I bought my Superlift springs used and they work great. No sag after several years now, and they flex well.

 

[Vvajk]

Would it be safe to drive it without shocks? Probably just for a jaunt down the road to see how it feels, I guess would be okay.

 

[007]

Would it be safe to drive it without shocks? Probably just for a jaunt down the road to see how it feels, I guess would be okay.

Yep. Just get a handle of it doing some slow corners so you know exactly what you're dealing with.

 

[tarry99]

Would it be safe to drive it without shocks? Probably just for a jaunt down the road to see how it feels, I guess would be okay.

Shocks are good , you need them..............there job is to calm down the springs otherwise the Jeep will have a Pogo effect every time you hit a bump.............the question is............. how stiff are the current shocks? If there stiff both on the bump & rebound a softer shock will help.............

The bottom line is your current suspension is too stiff for the weight it carries........If you were to build a car from scratch , you would set the ride height and build the suspension around it........then weigh the corners and buy a spring that is compliant to the weight and travel needed.........

Over the counter Lift springs in Jeeps hardly ever work out correctly without working on them. Why? because there are just to many variables.........