SOA or 4link & 3link

[osfp40]

i have been reading alot about 4 and 3 link suspensions but haven't really found anyone that has put one on a older CJ5 , I am thinking of doing that or soa setup, The thing with the soa is axle wrap and cg plus the steering mods that have to be done. 4link and 3 link is track bar, antisquat, triaglulation and so on. Welding and fab is not the problem, it is the money, but this jeep I bought, the guy already started a soa conversion and has the wrangler springs, but he also put reversed shackle up front and I don't think that is a very good idea, So I guess my question is what would be better (63-CJ5 )
Thanks
Scott

 

[CJ]

What tire? Why do you need that much lift? What are your intentions?

You need to provide a heck of a lot of more info before we can give you advice...

 

[osfp40]

I was thiking about running at least 33's and trying to get the ride a little smoother, I have had 4 cjs and they all ride rough, Newest one was 73 the oldest was 48 CJ2a this one is a 63 I want to be able to do good trail rides, some crawling, and run in the dunes, so I think I'am going to set it up with 3 link front and triagulated 4 link in the rear with progressive coils. maybe widen the frame 1.5-2 inches . 4.3 v6 and 700r4 tranny 241 Transfer Case .

 

[CJ]

Quite a bit of work for 33's... But, if you have the fab skills and don't mind the complexity of setting up the suspension we would love to have you make a build thread.

Personally, I would look at a simple YJ spring fab, they are great springs and it would still give a great ride.

 

[BusaDave9]

3 or 4 link would be a big job and money.
SOA is a 6 inch lift.
You already mentioned the issues with SOA

The thing with the soa is axle wrap and cg plus the steering mods that have to be done.

I wouldn't get too much lift. What's wrong with a simple 4 inch lift? How big of tires do you want?

Edit: I was too slow to see your tire size. I now know you are thinking about 33's

 

[BusaDave9]

I don't know what type of riding or trails you do but if you want my opinion I say the best setup would be leaf springs up front and 4 link in the rear with the rear axle moved back for a longer wheelbase.


I also have a CJ5 . I am very happy with my front suspension but the rear could use improvement.

 

[BusaDave9]

Something like this except I think it's too high. Maybe 38 inch tires and a little lower.

 

[ken98k]

I was thiking about running at least 33's and trying to get the ride a little smoother, I have had 4 cjs and they all ride rough, Newest one was 73 the oldest was 48 CJ2a this one is a 63 I want to be able to do good trail rides, some crawling, and run in the dunes, so I think I'am going to set it up with 3 link front and triagulated 4 link in the rear with progressive coils. maybe widen the frame 1.5-2 inches . 4.3 v6 and 700r4 tranny 241 Transfer Case .

I would love it if a member here came up with a workable muti-link suspension for cj's. It would be a whole new lease on life for old cj's and old backs like mine.

 

[BajaEdition]

there are 3 very major issues that will need to be dealt with

1 will be boxing in and reinforcing the frame of the 63. a C channel frame is going to twist up like a piece of spagetti with a Link style suspension.

next will be the narrowness of that frame rail to rail, you will end up with a flip prone jeep such as a table with the legs to far in. and if you make the lower arms spread outward, you will bind them up during movement.

after that you will need to deal with the extreme shortness of the Early CJ5 and the fact that the geometry you are seeking is not possible under there, the link system will try to throw the Jeep axle over axle trying to overcome the fact the triangulation will be to short and act a trebuchet instead of a suspension.

If you want a link style, go get a TJ, it already has one and you will save a few grand trying to set up the CJ5 just to be prepped to have one put on, It will have the proper angles and seeing how you are going have to fab your own part for the CJ everywhere, you can save hours and hours in fab and welding hours

 

[osfp40]

Thank you guys for your input and all your comments are well taken, I am certified welder in tig, mig and smaw, so as for the welding aspect I am not to worried, the suspension set up is the most important and getting the steering right. This is not supposed to be a weekend job, in fact i expect it to take quite a while.

 

[BajaEdition]

Well pull the tub and box the frame
we will then position the axles and weld them in with some thin tube where we wnt them
At this point we can measure up for the steering. Fab the shock mounts and towers. Add the shocks. Set up the bump stops and design some limiting system
I do not think with th length of the 5 we can get a 3 link to operate properly with out binding, however a system like Nth degre's stinger will work great. Once we get the system in. We can cut the axles free and articulate them cheaking for ease and no bindi g. At that point reengineering the pedal assembly and linkages will have to be done.

 

[ken98k]

Thank you guys for your input and all your comments are well taken, I am certified welder in tig, mig and smaw, so as for the welding aspect I am not to worried, the suspension set up is the most important and getting the steering right. This is not supposed to be a weekend job, in fact i expect it to take quite a while.

I truly wish you well on this project, but I strongly suspect you'll have to look elsewhere for tech support on this subject.
There are some great guys and a wealth of traditional info here but I've asked for help on this subject and got similar replies.