Leaf Spring Help

[rfonte7]

Hey guys,
I have a question I'm hoping you can answer. Current set up I have CJ7 with SOA. Front has 4 in lift springs (I know its crazy, bought this way) and the rear has Heavy Duty stock springs and I think homemade drop shackle hangers I guess you would call them. Rear has 6 leafs in the pack, front has 5 leafs. I also have what appear to be a worn out pair of stock leafs that used to be on the jeep. Both of them have 4 leafs in the pack. The jeep has 33's and they look small. I want to keep that size tire though and lower the jeep by subtracting leafs.
Jeep rides rough so I'm thinking I could lower it and improve the ride by removing some leafs. I have never done it before, so I don't know the "rules". Do you remove any of the leafs, or one in the middle or what?
Also, the front end sits a bit higher than the rear, so I'm thinking 2 leafs out of the front and one from the rear?
I know guys use YJ springs and I'm kinda wanting to use some configuration of the leafs that are on it and the leafs that came with it to make a usable pack.
I don't do rocks as we have none in Indiana, so don't need mega flex. But I do hills and trails. I also drive a LITTLE on the street so I need to be somewhat stable and not all flex, but still want decent flex. So I want the best of both worlds!!!
I know this post is long, and I apologize for that now. Feel free to ask questions as I am sure I left out some info. Thank you all in advance for your help!!!!

 

[BusaDave9]

I know this post is long, and I apologize for that now.

No need to apologise. Good to have a lot of info. Now those guys that want us to solve their problems but don't give us any specs on their jeep or tell us what they plan to do with it, those are they guys that should apologise.
As for lowering your suspension. You aren't going to be able to lower it much by just removing leafs. You wont want to hear this but to do it right you should get rid of the spring over axle. That is just too much lift for 33's. Four inch lift springs should be enough.

 

[Old Dog]

From the sound of it the PO didn't do a very good SOA.
To run 33's it will be better to just go back to SUA and a 4" lift.

 

[73CJ]

To run 33's it will be better to just go back to SUA and a 4" lift.

Ditto Old Dog.

4" lift springs have a really high spring rate. 550#/in on my old Trail Masters. Stock is some where around 215 t0 245#/inch. That's why it rides like a tank. I broke 3 spring mounts on the frame with them.

Think about some 2-1/2 springs going back to SUA.

 

[rfonte7]

I saw some pictures of SOA cj's with 33's. They were all on stock leafs I assume though. I am going to look at the leafs that came with the jeep. They don't appear to have much of an arch to them, but then again I have nothing to compare them to. I researched alot on the SOA and from what I found, it looks like the PO did a decent job on the SOA. Again, with nothing to compare to, I don't know. I will let you guys know what I find out. I am also looking for some YJ springs as alot of guys recommend those with the SOA. Any thoughts??

 

[rfonte7]

Hey guys,
Messed with my front leaf pack and got it to drop 1.5". Still need another 1.25" to make it level with the rear. My question....how long can the rear shackle hanger be? Center to center mine is 3 inches. What is safe, and how does that change the ride, handling, etc... Thank you all in advance!!

 

[73CJ]

Stock shackles are 2.75"-3". Lowering the spring rate on your SOA will make it more tippy. Be prepared to put on sway bars on for the highway.

Checkout the drag link clearance with the leaf spring. Are you runing High steering arm knuckles? Hit can hit at full droop and compression if not done right.

The higher the rear shackle, the more tilt to the rear pinion. Angle of the rear pinion should equal the Transfer Case droop angle compliment.