Noobie Questions

[CJ5Driver]

I just purchased a '79 CJ5 with a 350 SBC conversion. The PO had it on 33" Mud tires with a 4" lift kit (lift shackles and shocks), but I feel uncomfortable driving it on the highway - way too top heavy and the tires pull the vehicle on uneven pavement which is pretty much everywhere.. How much would the ride quality / drivability improve if I lowered it to a 2.5" lift and put 31" A/T Wrangler tires under it? I've heard mixed reviews about Rough Country but that's what I'm looking at getting. Also, I haven't pulled a wheel off yet but I imagine with 33" tires the wheels are pushed out or backspaced a little with a spacer, with 31" tires would a spacer still be necessary? I would like to get the tires back inside under the wheel wells where they belong... Any thoughts on the matter would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mriplaybass]

There are a lot of factors to consider in addition to tires regarding highway performance. Is the sway bar still there? A lot of people remove the sway bar for off roading, and this will make the Jeep feel as if the "tires pull the vehicle on uneven pavement". Front axle caster also affects steering. The faster you drive, the more pronounced the problem becomes if the caster angle is wrong.
Are you saying that the suspension has been lifted by 4" by installing longer shackles and shocks? If you have overly long shackles, this is not the greatest thing for an off road vehicle. The proper way to lift the suspension, in my opinion, is with springs designed for whatever lift you desire. You are correct, the higher the lift, the more top heavy the vehicle becomes, and if you don't need it, go less.
I have 33x12.50x15 tires on a 79 CJ7 and have no problem with spacing. The only reason that I did put spacers behind the wheels is that when I tied the roll bar into the frame, the tires rubbed the roll bar frame mounts during hard articulation. Other than that, as long as the tires don't hit the fenders, you should be OK.

 

[Torxhead]

There could be an issue with tire air pressure. For example, I am pretty satisfied with around 28 p.s.i. with a 33/12.50x15" for street driving. There are no wheel spacers either. I have got some improvement with using a front sway bar, but I do not use one with a 4" lift.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Get it to an alignment shop ASAP, and see what the front axle is set at.
Make sure the tire pressure is the same in all 4.
Does the Jeep have a DL in the back?
I run 33's on my 7, and can run 70mph all day with no issues.
LG

 

[CJ5Driver]

Get it to an alignment shop ASAP, and see what the front axle is set at.
Make sure the tire pressure is the same in all 4.
Does the Jeep have a DL in the back?
I run 33's on my 7, and can run 70mph all day with no issues.
LG

Sorry for the delayed response. No I don't have a locking rear differential, maybe someday... the rear axle is the AMC20 , ideally I would like to upgrade to a Dana 44 rear axle but I'm not sure what all that would entail?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Your handling issue is all SWAG, until you get it into an alignment shop.
I've been very happy with my Ford 9" rear w/DL.
LG

 

[mriplaybass]

Sorry for the delayed response. No I don't have a locking rear differential, maybe someday... the rear axle is the AMC20 , ideally I would like to upgrade to a Dana 44 rear axle but I'm not sure what all that would entail?

Get a narrow trac Dana 44 out of an earlier CJ. I used a Dana 44 out of a 72 CJ5 in our 79 CJ7 . The axle itself my have to have spring perch shims or the spring perches re positioned and welded depending on driveshaft slope angle. Make sure that you have the same gear ratio as the front. The driveshaft should be the same, and the U joints should be 1310's for both axles.

 

[jafo]

The longer shackles can pose a problem. The absence of a sway bar can cause problems also. So can a worn steering gear, worn steering linkage, damaged steering linkage etc. I think there is an article on this site you can read through that covers all of this. I would suggest reading through it. You will come out the other end understanding much more and can help you shore up your steering.

 

[jafo]

Here you go....

https://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/troubleshooting-correcting-your-steering-4106/