Suspension ID

[Tectron]

Couple things.

Here is a list of measurements I took off my 80 CJ7 :

Front leaf width is 2"
Rear leaf width is 2.5"
Tub to ground is 22"
31" tire to front fender height 8" clearance
Shackle length front 4"
Shackle length rear 6"
Body mount bushings 3/4"

I'm trying to determine the total lift on this Jeep. And are the leaf widths stock?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

If you can-it would really be best to post pictures of the items in question.

LG

 

[RiverandSand]

Couple things.

Here is a list of measurements I took off my 80 CJ7 :

Front leaf width is 2" - Stock
Rear leaf width is 2.5" - Stock
Tub to ground is 22"
31" tire to front fender height 8" clearance
Shackle length front 4" - Lift about 1"
Shackle length rear 6" - Lift about 2"
Body mount bushings 3/4" - maybe stock or close

I'm trying to determine the total lift on this Jeep. And are the leaf widths stock?

Looks like your lift is mostly from your shackles.

 

[Tectron]

Looks like your lift is mostly from your shackles.

K, after some calling around and taking pics this is what I have:

Rancho RS44192 Rear 2.5" Leaf Spring for 76-86 Jeep CJ5 , CJ7 , & CJ8

Superlift 01-530F-6 2-1/2" Front Leaf Spring for 76-86 Jeep CJ5 , CJ7 & CJ8

Warrior Products 1-1/2" Lift Rear Leaf Spring Shackle Kit for 76-86 Jeep CJ5 & CJ7 .

So I have a 4" Lift right ?

 

[RiverandSand]

So I have a 4" Lift right ?

Well not sure why someone would mix to different spring manufacturers as spring rates are different between them. If your research is correct, I would think it is about that. I have a BDS 4" lift on 33's and my tub at the bottom edge is 29" and I have 9" from the top the tire to fender.

 

[Tectron]

Well not sure why someone would mix to different spring manufacturers as spring rates are different between them. If your research is correct, I would think it is about that. I have a BDS 4" lift on 33's and my tub at the bottom edge is 29" and I have 9" from the top the tire to fender.

So, that quite a bit of diff from mine, Im at 22" from bottom edge and 8" to top of fender, so now I'm not sure on anything I guess, but I took the numbers straight off the parts so that's what I came up with. I am sitting on 31's (worn) but 7" diff is a lot between ours. I guess I have to ask am I still ok with 33" tires.

 

[Tectron]

So, that quite a bit of diff from mine, Im at 22" from bottom edge and 8" to top of fender, so now I'm not sure on anything I guess, but I took the numbers straight off the parts so that's what I came up with. I am sitting on 31's (worn) but 7" diff is a lot between ours. I guess I have to ask am I still ok with 33" tires.

So you have to agree that with the specs on the parts on my jeep that it equals 4", but if your on the numbers that you specify why am I at the lower numbers ? I don't get it. 7" diff is a lot if we both have a 4" lift. Again, I took the numbers right off the parts on mine. Are you spring over maybe ?

 

[RiverandSand]

So you have to agree that with the specs on the parts on my jeep that it equals 4", but if your on the numbers that you specify why am I at the lower numbers ? I don't get it. 7" diff is a lot if we both have a 4" lift. Again, I took the numbers right off the parts on mine. Are you spring over maybe ?

No sua, are your springs new? If not may have sagged or they are 2" lift.

 

[mriplaybass]

To measure the spring, pull a string between the center of both spring eyes and measure the distance between the string and the lowest point of the spring arch. Naturally, you have to do this with the spring unloaded, not with the weight of the Jeep on it.
OEM springs:
If you have 4 leaves on the front, it should measure 5 3/4"
If you have 7 leaves on the front, it should measure 6"


On the rear, 4 leaves should be 4 3/8", 5 leaves should be 5 1/8"


I found this picture, but have never tried measuring this way, so take it for what it is worth.

 

[Tectron]

To measure the spring, pull a string between the center of both spring eyes and measure the distance between the string and the lowest point of the spring arch. Naturally, you have to do this with the spring unloaded, not with the weight of the Jeep on it.
OEM springs:
If you have 4 leaves on the front, it should measure 5 3/4"
If you have 7 leaves on the front, it should measure 6"


On the rear, 4 leaves should be 4 3/8", 5 leaves should be 5 1/8"


I found this picture, but have never tried measuring this way, so take it for what it is worth.

I guess what I'm not getting is that 7 inch difference between your and mine. The front springs still have the stickers on them from Superlift where I got the part number that tells its a 2.5" lift.

 

[mriplaybass]

Not sure what 7" between yours and mine that you are talking about . I didn't post what mine is since my wheel wells and fenders have been cut away, and my dimensions wouldn't be much help. The dimensions that I gave you are for stock, unfatigued springs. What ever the dimensions between these figures and the actual measurements of your springs are should give you an approximation of what your current lift is.

When I was searching for lifted springs, most manufacturers stated a 4" lift for 33" tires.

 

[RiverandSand]

I found this picture, but have never tried measuring this way, so take it for what it is worth.

I think this a good reference point, it will give you a starting point.
Also on your shackles was that an overall measurement or hole to hole. Mine is 4" front and rear hole to hole. I think the stock was 3 to 3.5" hole to hole.

 

[RiverandSand]

Not sure what 7" between yours and mine that you are talking about .

When I was searching for lifted springs, most manufacturers stated a 4" lift for 33" tires.

Bass, I believe he was referring to me as I gave him my measurement. As I have a stock tub and no body lift, however these things can can very subjective.

My springs I'm sure haven't settled yet as I have very few miles on it and the 33s are new.

BDS recommended the 4" lift for 33s when I ordered mine.

 

[mriplaybass]

Bass, I believe he was referring to me as I gave him my measurement. As I have a stock tub and no body lift, however these things can can very subjective.

My springs I'm sure haven't settled yet as I have very few miles on it and the 33s are new.

BDS recommended the 4" lift for 33s when I ordered mine.

Kind of figured that. I was surprised to see that my 4" lift actually netted me about 4 1/2" of lift measured from the frame.

 

[Tectron]

I guess what I'm not getting is that 7 inch difference between your and mine. The front springs still have the stickers on them from Superlift where I got the part number that tells its a 2.5" lift.

My fault, got mixed up in the discussion, It was RiverandSand that was telling me dimensions.

 

[Tectron]

I think this a good reference point, it will give you a starting point.
Also on your shackles was that an overall measurement or hole to hole. Mine is 4" front and rear hole to hole. I think the stock was 3 to 3.5" hole to hole.

Rear shackles are 6" center of holes. Part number on Leaf ( Rancho) states 2.5" lift on stock CJ7 .

Rancho RS44192 Rear 2.5" Leaf Spring for 76-86 Jeep CJ5 , CJ7 , & CJ8

Warrior Products 1-1/2" Lift Rear Leaf Spring Shackle Kit for 76-86 Jeep CJ5 & CJ7 .

Thats whats on the rear of the Jeep.

 

[mriplaybass]

My fault, got mixed up in the discussion, It was RiverandSand that was telling me dimensions.

Thanks! Good to know that I'm not alone making oops's reading things incorrectly!

 

[Tectron]

Kind of figured that. I was surprised to see that my 4" lift actually netted me about 4 1/2" of lift measured from the frame.

"Measuring from the frame" So I'm hoping I know what you mean on that, I went out and Measured from the top of the FRONT Axle to the frame as vertical as I could get with the weight of the jeep on and got 7". Could give me an Idea on what I've got if you know what that measurement is on yours. I also have the AMC 304 in mine so it might be a good comparison.

 

[mriplaybass]

No, that's not what I meant. The 4 1/2" gain that I achieved was measured frame to ground. But! Good idea! Since you and I have the same basic Jeep, I just went out and measured the distance from the top of the front axle to the frame, and measured 9". As I said, I gained 4 1/2", but this was measured against a well worn set of springs. I used 4" Rubicon Express YJ springs, but the 9" measurement should give you a pretty good baseline to compare to yours. Hope this helps!

 

[Tectron]

No, that's not what I meant. The 4 1/2" gain that I achieved was measured frame to ground. But! Good idea! Since you and I have the same basic Jeep, I just went out and measured the distance from the top of the front axle to the frame, and measured 9". As I said, I gained 4 1/2", but this was measured against a well worn set of springs. I used 4" Rubicon Express YJ springs, but the 9" measurement should give you a pretty good baseline to compare to yours. Hope this helps!

Yes it does, thank you very much for that. Im at 7" Im hoping Im ok to put the 33" tires on.