SOA need softer ride

[daddyusmaximus]

I need a softer ride for my '79 CJ5 that came with an owner fabricated SOA lift and Dodge truck Dana 44 and Chrysler 9.25 axles. I have pretty bad back issues due to an IED attack on my last deployment. As far as I can tell it is using the stock CJ springs.

I've been researching a coilover 3 link/4link setup, but the cost and fabrication seem a bit daunting.

Seeing as the Dodge truck had SOA, and these axles are mounted that way on my CJ5 I thought about keeping the SOA. I've been reading that the YJ springs flex better (that's good) but am mostly looking for a softer ride as I have back issues.

I want the best ride I can get, and OME always get recommended, but they only make a 2.5" lift spring, and my current SOA is all the lift I need. What's the best riding YJ spring out there? Tempted to just get stock ones. If I can't get a softer ride, I'll end up doing a coilover swap that will be much more expensive.

 

[gr8dain]

Stock springs with the SOA net you how much lift? Would the OME 2.5s be the same if you went SUA?

The stock YJ springs will definitely be softer than the stock CJ springs. You will have slight changes to make on the front due to the width of the front leafs. But the OME kit will have the conversion shackles I believe.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

SOA is probably like 4 or 5 incjes of lift, but she's already sitting on Dodge truck axles, built for SOA. To go back spring under would mean a new axle up front and re doing the spring perch on the rear, and I would lose a couple inches. Wanting to stay close to where she sits now, just ride better.

 

[Tinman22]

General spring has some 650lb springs for 70 bucks. some cj springs were pretty heavy. I run their springs on all of our cjs.

 

[gert]

The YJs are smother due to their width, they are able to spread the load across more metal giving you a softer ride, I would look into some stock replacement YJ springs so you can keep your height. I am building my CJ SOA with YJ springs, hope to have it on the road soon.

 

[Posi]

You can choose to find someone with a yj that has/plans to installed a lift. Grab their used springs for free-$50. I saw a good stock set of yj springs at the bone yard yesterday.

 

[Dan77CJ7]

What air pressure are you running? Do you have nice comfy seats the best thing I did for the ride was baja corbeau seats and I run 35 12.50s mt/r' @ 31 psi rubber body mounts help too. All the little things might add up, But a link suspension is pretty sweet!

 

[Posi]

A good suspension seat is a nice improvement
The correct way to figure tire pressure is to weigh the Jeep and tire manufacturers psi recommendations not what is on the side wall.
I run no more then 24psi on the road.
Going by the weight of the vehicle 24 psi is spot on.
Tourque your shackle bolts to 22ft lbs

 

[Dan77CJ7]

A good suspension seat is a nice improvement
The correct way to figure tire pressure is to weigh the Jeep and tire manufacturers psi recommendations not what is on the side wall.
I run no more then 24psi on the road.
Going by the weight of the vehicle 24 psi is spot on.
Tourque your shackle bolts to 22ft lbs

I came up with 31 psi doing the chalk test. Put a fat line of chalk on the tire and drive a few blocks and adjust the tire pressure until the chalk wears off even.

 

[Posi]

Your tires are 12.5 wide, how wide is your rims?
How much weight over curb weight (3000) are you carrying?

 

[73CJ]

I'm running 2.5" OME YJ springs on my 73 CJ. SUA with a Shackle reverse.

It was too soft but they have an extra leaf. Perfect for I wanted. OME really droop which we all know is a good thing.