New suspension - no lift or minor lift?

New suspension - no lift or minor lift?
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81CJ5Renegade

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Eastern Long Island, NY
Vehicle(s)
1981 CJ-5 Renegade, 258 Cu. In. (4.2 liter) Inline 6 OHV, 4-speed Model T-176 manual trans, Dana 300 T-case, pretty much OEM.
Been spending some time under my 81 CJ5 , studying what I need to address for the near term. Current tires are 31x10.5x15 on 15x8 wheels. Rear springs look fairly flat...fronts less so. Haven't done measurements yet, but at 32 years of age and 110,000 miles, I figure new springs and shocks will improve the ride. This CJ is mostly for street use and some beach driving...no heavy duty off-road, so I'm fine with keeping the 31's and no lift or a minor suspension lift...nothing extreme.

Been reading through the postings here and elsewhere. My current inclination is to purchase and install a 1" suspension lift kit. I would appreciate to hear from those who know...what to consider, what to avoid, tips, pros & cons are all welcome.

Thanks for sharing.
 
Everything I ever hear about the best riding lift points to the Old Man Emu brand. I think they have a 1 in but I know for sure they have a 2 in. I think youd be happy with a 2 in lift and 31s.
 
Petescj,

Thanks for the input. Just chatted with the Tech guys at ARB USA. No direct products made for the CJ. Looks like some 2.5" or 3" kits are available from a few internet retail shops. Essentially ends up being a lift and a conversion to YJ springs. And it carries an incremental price tag over BDS and others. Not that I'm against spending $$ for significant improvements, but as a street and beach rider, wonder if I need to spend that much.

More input always welcome...while I've owned this CJ for many years, I'm just getting back into it again and am always learning.

Thanks again.
 
From what I see OME lists a 1.5-2.5 inch lift.
Since you asked for a good riding spring I don't know of any other way to point you other than someone like Alcan which would be just as much. This is one area where you get what you pay for.
 
Old Dog,

Appreciate the input. I must be search spastic...cannot seem to come up with what you mention...could I impose on you to provide a link? In terms of kits, I'm only finding Quadratec, OK4WD and Rocky Road...no kits under 2.5"...which is probably okay as long as I do not need to drop a bunch of stuff to handle new angles. Trying to keep the labor and follow-on mods from lift within reason.
 
I thought they had a smaller lift as well but my search turned up empty. The 2.5 will come with everything you need. You wont have to buy anything extra to compensate for angles.
 
Checked out the Alcan site...custom setup made to order based on my input...hmmmm. Could be worth the exploration...you never know.
 
You could always do a add-a-leaf it would be the cheapest and easiest.
 
mtnwhlr

Appreciate the thought on add-a-leaf...but I think my rear springs are sprung...willing to renew a bit at this point...looking forward to many more years of enjoyment.
 
81CJ5Renegade said:
Checked out the Alcan site...custom setup made to order based on my input...hmmmm. Could be worth the exploration...you never know.
Click to expand...
The few people I know that have them are real happy.:)
 
81CJ5Renegade said:
Been spending some time under my 81 CJ5 , studying what I need to address for the near term. Current tires are 31x10.5x15 on 15x8 wheels. Rear springs look fairly flat...fronts less so. Haven't done measurements yet, but at 32 years of age and 110,000 miles, I figure new springs and shocks will improve the ride. This CJ is mostly for street use and some beach driving...no heavy duty off-road, so I'm fine with keeping the 31's and no lift or a minor suspension lift...nothing extreme.

Been reading through the postings here and elsewhere. My current inclination is to purchase and install a 1" suspension lift kit. I would appreciate to hear from those who know...what to consider, what to avoid, tips, pros & cons are all welcome.

Thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...

:)Most lifted springs to not improve the ride as the added arc needed in the spring pack to gain the lift ( hold the weight up)equals a stiffer spring which equals a harsher ride. Simply hard to get the best of both worlds.

The only way I have seen to gain both is to use a longer spring which in turn has more flex and therefore creates a softer ride.

Check these guys out: Holbrook Specialties Holbrook sells a longer spring Kit...........you will have to move the inside spring hangers,both front and rear...... takes about a day to install front and back. Really not that hard of a job but the gains in articulation , lift , and a softer ride are well worth the trouble.
Note: for off road the use of a sway bar is not necessary but for on road a good sway bar I feel should be used.
:D:D:D:D
 
tarry99,

Thanks for the input and link. Re:your point on lifted springs...that's what is leading me to the "no lift, minor lift" decision. Not certain that extreme articulation will benefit my situation. It's been interesting researching and reading. Definitely plan on exploring Old Dog's suggestion.
 
For beach driving, keep it the stock spring height with 31s. I can't see a single reason for your geography and use the lift gives any benefit. You will never have to second guess angles, brake line length, driveshaft length or any other might need to do mod that comes from a lift.
 
steve1973,

Sort of what I've been wondering...appreciate the input. Getting different views is definitely worthwhile. Staying with stock heights, does Crown make a reliable product? Are there other stock brands to consider?
 
81CJ5Renegade said:
tarry99,

Thanks for the input and link. Re:your point on lifted springs...that's what is leading me to the "no lift, minor lift" decision. Not certain that extreme articulation will benefit my situation. It's been interesting researching and reading. Definitely plan on exploring Old Dog's suggestion.
Click to expand...

:)81CJ5

Again no free rides............everything is a trade off. A stock leaf spring will also give you a stiff ride just the nature of the beast inherent in the leaf spring design.........lowering tire pressures is another avenue that works will to soften the ride and also stay away from a performance shock.......there valving is normally on the higher side of stiff. A stock shock will do you just fine for your application.

:D:D:D:D
 
I believe Superlift made or makes a 1' lift kit, but it's no cheaper than a larger lift, so given what you want to do the easiest would be to get OEM springs, and if you aren't happy get a daystar 1" body lift to go with the stock height springs.

Yep, superlift makes a 1.5" lift
Superlift Part supk716 - 1.5 Inch Lift Kit with Shocks
 
If your looking for a stock riding suspension and 31" tires I would replace the springs with stock hieght. if the 31's fit cool.. if they are close get a 1" body lift.
 
31's fit fine on a stock Jeep I have ran them on mine.
 
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