Softer Ride
Softer Ride
- Thread starter cj77
- Start date
007
Crazy Sr. Respected Jeeper
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- #1 - 1977 CJ-7 Renegade (Daisy Jane), Levis trim, 304, TH400, BW1339 (MM), D30/Auburn Max, AMC20/Trac-Lok/G2's, 4.88's, 33" BFG MT KM2's, Edelbrock Performer intake, Holley Sniper 4bbl EFI, MSD6, MSD ProBillet distributor, OME shocks, 4" ProComp lift.
#2 - 1984 CJ-7 Laredo (The Texas Hooker Project - Incomplete/Undecided)
A bit confused on what exactly you're asking...but...
YJ spring conversions will indeed improve ride, adding lift is not necessary to do this. Spring lift invariably deteriorates ride to some degree, but that degree depends on the brand of springs you use. In most cases, more $ = better ride when doing a spring lift. I would also use the softest shocks you can find. Most shocks that fit these Jeeps are made for trucks and thus designed for heavier loads and as a result are a bit stiff (particularly with the rears).
Remember, this is a light vehicle on leaf springs - it will never ride like a TJ or JK so long as it's near original.
YJ spring conversions will indeed improve ride, adding lift is not necessary to do this. Spring lift invariably deteriorates ride to some degree, but that degree depends on the brand of springs you use. In most cases, more $ = better ride when doing a spring lift. I would also use the softest shocks you can find. Most shocks that fit these Jeeps are made for trucks and thus designed for heavier loads and as a result are a bit stiff (particularly with the rears).
Remember, this is a light vehicle on leaf springs - it will never ride like a TJ or JK so long as it's near original.
Torxhead
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
You could also get some help by using a bit less on the tire air pressure also.
HackFabrication
Old Time Jeeper
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2020 Grand Cherokee Summit,
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Regular Cab Shortbed
You can improve the ride quality by going to the Wrangler springs and doing a reverse shackle conversion. Air your tires down a bit, and don't hit pot holes. Replace the body mounts with new rubber mounts. The originals are probably shot by now.
However.... It is a straight axle, leaf sprung vehicle. They don't ride like a Caddy.
However.... It is a straight axle, leaf sprung vehicle. They don't ride like a Caddy.
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- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
Jeep CJ's weren't built for a 'soft-ride'. 
LG
LG
Torxhead
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
Maybe thats the reason why they don't make them anymore.Jeep CJ's weren't built for a 'soft-ride'.
LG
Hedgehog
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
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-1951 Willys Wagon, 4 cylinder, "F" head, little rust, very close to stock
They don't make'em anymore because people have gotten soft and will lawyer up in a heart beat for almost anything.
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I just remember from my several VW beetles that KYB were extremely hard compared to others...
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- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
- Posts
- 14,787
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- 54
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
Get the softest/wimpiest non-gas shocks you can find.
Those 2 you list'd, will beat you to death-
LG
Woolyworm
Old Time Jeeper
I run black diamond 3" lift and it's quite soft.
Wooly
Wooly
007
Crazy Sr. Respected Jeeper
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- #1 - 1977 CJ-7 Renegade (Daisy Jane), Levis trim, 304, TH400, BW1339 (MM), D30/Auburn Max, AMC20/Trac-Lok/G2's, 4.88's, 33" BFG MT KM2's, Edelbrock Performer intake, Holley Sniper 4bbl EFI, MSD6, MSD ProBillet distributor, OME shocks, 4" ProComp lift.
#2 - 1984 CJ-7 Laredo (The Texas Hooker Project - Incomplete/Undecided)
I have some OMEs that I like but I also know Rocky-Road has some specially built for CJs. Might try them.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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- 1979 CJ5 Renegade 258, t-18 pretty much stock except for a later model aluminum intake manifold and Gronk 2150.
What LG said.
We softened our ride quite a bit by replacing the shackles with stock units and greasing everything so the suspension works like it is supposed to.
Techlight
Active Jeeper
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1964 Kaiser CJ5 (sold),
1960 Willy's CJ5 (sold)
They do all seem to bounce down the road ...the jeeps, not the lawyers.
I kinda feel like a bull rider sometimes when I notice I'm leaning forward or back as I move into a bump. I'm pretty sure I don't do that in my Honda Civic lol.
What type/condition tire you have matters as well. I was running 31 10.5 Dueler AT's at 26ish pds and when I switched over to a BF Goodrich AT that was wider the ride is less harsh...and I'm running them at 35 pds. So it really all kinda goes together. All things being equal though, the wrangler springs are going to be a way smoother ride than the stock springs.
After reading this post, I'm about to go buy some of those cheapo shocks since the PO had some Rancho's that are still on there. Maybe I can make it even a little less jarring and stay of the bull for the full 10 seconds
...the jeeps, not the lawyers.I kinda feel like a bull rider sometimes when I notice I'm leaning forward or back as I move into a bump. I'm pretty sure I don't do that in my Honda Civic lol.
What type/condition tire you have matters as well. I was running 31 10.5 Dueler AT's at 26ish pds and when I switched over to a BF Goodrich AT that was wider the ride is less harsh...and I'm running them at 35 pds. So it really all kinda goes together. All things being equal though, the wrangler springs are going to be a way smoother ride than the stock springs.
After reading this post, I'm about to go buy some of those cheapo shocks since the PO had some Rancho's that are still on there. Maybe I can make it even a little less jarring and stay of the bull for the full 10 seconds
Posi
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
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and make sure your shackle bolts are not higher then 20-22 ft lbs. I set my over the road tire pressure at 20 psi.
You would be surprised how those 2 suggestions will help the ride.
IOPort51
NOT the voice of reason Jeep-CJ.com
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4.2 W/MC2100 carb, 4.0 head W/3 angle valves,SS Header,TFI ignition with MSB-6 offroad module,CS144 140 amp RPS alternator with remote regulator T-150,d-20,Dana 44 with OX lock and disk brakes. D-30 with Spartin locker,
skyjacker 2.5 lift?nitro shocks,31" BFG A/T off road.8000 lb Warn winch, original owner.=^)
2006 Toyota Tacoma
1985 Jeep CJ Commercial 60 sec spot – Buffalo
hey guys, remember this?? Pretty much says it all.
Personally I found that after driving the Alpine loop for a week that the CJ rode smoother than it ever had.
hey guys, remember this?? Pretty much says it all.
Personally I found that after driving the Alpine loop for a week that the CJ rode smoother than it ever had.
- Posts
- 14,787
- Thanks
- 54
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
They do all seem to bounce down the road
I kinda feel like a bull rider sometimes when I notice I'm leaning forward or back as I move into a bump. I'm pretty sure I don't do that in my Honda Civic lol.
What type/condition tire you have matters as well. I was running 31 10.5 Dueler AT's at 26ish pds and when I switched over to a BF Goodrich AT that was wider the ride is less harsh...and I'm running them at 35 pds. So it really all kinda goes together. All things being equal though, the wrangler springs are going to be a way smoother ride than the stock springs.
After reading this post, I'm about to go buy some of those cheapo shocks since the PO had some Rancho's that are still on there. Maybe I can make it even a little less jarring and stay of the bull for the full 10 seconds
Drop you TP to 25-28 psi. That's what I run in my 33's.
LG
Woolyworm
Old Time Jeeper
I've got 33x12.5 BFG ATs and run 24 with good results. Driving around Maine in the spring frost out in my 72 2500 GMC with extra HD springs will make your jeep ride softer for you
Wooly
Wooly
diddy2003
Old Time Jeeper
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- 1984 CJ-7
35x12.5x15 MTRs;
YJ 4 inch Skyjacker lift w/ Bilsteins;
rebuilt AMC 360, Patriot Headers, Holley Truck Avenger 670 CFM, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Flexalite Electric Fan; Griffin Aluminum Radiator, Dual Flowmaster Delta Flow 40s;
Dana 30 4.10s w/ Detroit Truetrac;
Dana 60-2 Narrowed, 11 inch Ford Drum Brakes, 4.10s Power-Lok LSD; T-176; Dana 300 LoMax 4:1 Twin-Stick; Navajo Power Brake Booster
I just had a 4 inch YJ skyjacker lift/bilsteins installed to replace the 4 inch rough country lift. Should make a HUGE difference. My buddy has the exact same setup on his 5 and he loves it.