Ride report from lifted to stock

[Kane]

So many people ask questions about lifts and ride quality versus stock. Well I wanted to give a short report on going back from several types of lifts back to stock. Over the 25 years of owning my CJ5 i have had several set-ups. I had 2.5 add-a-leafs, 2.5 procomp springs, 3 inch black diamond springs and a slew of different shocks from cheap to pricing RS9000's. Every one of these configurations lead to the same result. A bone jarring ride with me wondering how to fix the issue. A few months ago I decided to pull the lift and tires off for my Scrambler and put the Scramblers original springs along with some new shock on the CJ5. I bought some factory 5 slots a few years ago for a sweet deals and wanted to make the Jeep look old school stock. I bought some 31 in BFG all terrains at a swap meat and put everything on. The look of the Jeep changed drastically to me and after seeing it lifted since 1991 I have to say it took a bit of time for me to adjust. But I really love how it looks now.
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So ride quality. How can I describe the change. Yeah, amazing. So much so that I am questioning why i didn't do this years ago. The little Jeep is such a pleasure to drive now and it never gets on my nerve and causes me to cringe when I see a big bump in the road coming up. I made sure all the front end geometry is back to stock and it drives perfectly straight and true even over bumps. Stopping is never a scary thing either and is stays completely straight. I am really shocked at the difference especially since these short Jeeps are never known for a quality ride. I used to own a 84 CJ7 with stock spring on 31's and I have to say it is just as good. I am so glad I did this. I feel like I bought a new Jeep and sold the old one. I still like the lifted look better as shown in the picture below but after driving it for a couple weeks, this Jeep will never go back.



3 inch Black Diamond springs with 33x12.50 mud tires and Rancho RS9000 shocks.



Stock springs with 31x10.50 all terrains and Rough Country Gas shocks.

 

[007]

Great post Kane - thank you. I've been curious about this same thing. My CJ7 has no lift either and I could only consider a lift if it were a YJ spring conversion lift.

Your CJ5 looks great! Well done.

 

[Kane]

Thanks. it is nice to be excited about this Jeep again. I got tired of dumping money into it over the years but I feel it has a new found life again and it didn't cost much at all.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I'm run'n about 3" and a 1" body lift.
My springs are re-arched OEM with 'add-a-leaf' in the front.
With the soft shocks I'm run'n. Ride ain't to bad at all.
LG

 

[Flex BT]

Did you ever have new shocks before? I found that made a huge difference for me (with lift).

 

[Kane]

Did you ever have new shocks before? I found that made a huge difference for me (with lift).

At least 5 different sets. Even the RS 9000 adjustables weren't enough for the pro comp springs or the Black Diamond. Springs are alot better now so I will still lift me Scrambler but they will on get the best springs.