Suspension Suggestions 81 CJ-8

[leeherron]

So I'm removing the body for various reasons, one of which allows me to work on the suspension with ease. Researching various options with regards to the lift and suspension.

Currently thinking: 3" suspension lift, 1.25" body lift. Probably 33" (maybe 35") tires.

Use will be daily driver, beach use, and the occasional off road trails.

Goal: Lift with best ride and stability for primarily road use - secondary off road benefits.

Getting suggestions from all over the map. SOA using flatter leafs (ie: YJ springs) Standard purchased lift kits, Teraflex shackles, etc.

Suggestions from experiences? Any really well developed articles (links) or threads that might help me learn enough to make some decisions?

Thanks
lh

 

[Posi]

I’m spending your money right?

Keep it simple, I’d suggest using a 2.5” lift SUA with 33” tires for your intended use. I’d strongly suggest using 2.5” wide (yj) front springs for a better ride then stock 2” wide front CJ springs.

Below is a bolt on kit minus the shocks and shackles has everything to convert to front 2.5” wide springs.

ARB 4x4 Accessories Part 7686XH - 2.5" Suspension System by Old Man Emu for Jeep

 

[Manhattan]

Wrestled with exactly the same criteria - lifting a 1981 CJ8 (body off at the time) with the following goals:
1. Great on-road manners/comfort
2. Great off-road performance
^ In that order ^

I went with Rubicon Express's 4.5" Extreme system (2.5" wide springs) M.O.R.E. shackles, a 1" body lift, and 35" BFG MTs.

The Jeeps sits pretty high in this picture - it's yet to be driven (still building) and it's missing lots of parts. The R.E. 4.5" system is notorious for staring out closer to 6" and setting to the stated 4.5". I'll report back... once I drive it.

 

[leeherron]

Keep it simple, I’d suggest using a 2.5” lift SUA with 33” tires for your intended use. I’d strongly suggest using 2.5” wide (yj) front springs for a better ride then stock 2” wide front CJ springs.

I'm getting the same feeling about the EMU kit, last looked at this package: Jeep CJ OME lift

I'm also wondering what ever became of the composite solutions - seems like a great route, just don't see much use of them on CJ .. any reason?

I went with Rubicon Express's 4.5" Extreme

Good looking Jeep .. keep us posted.

 

[Posi]

I'm getting the same feeling about the EMU kit, last looked at this package: Jeep CJ OME lift

I'm also wondering what ever became of the composite solutions - seems like a great route, just don't see much use of them on CJ .. any reason?

Many buy the one fits all lift kits, I believe the main reason is price. Let’s face it the walmarts and HF of the world sell cheap inexpensive items because there is a market for it. If no one bought the stuff they wouldn't sell it.

OME, RE, and BDS are good kits IMO.

 

[Kane]

OME, RE, and BDS are good kits IMO.

They are the only kits in my opinion.

 

[Posi]

Very nice!

There may be a reason you have the front shackle mounted as such but the elbow typically goes to the rear.

 

[Manhattan]

Very nice!

There may be a reason you have the front shackle mounted as such but the elbow typically goes to the rear.

Good eye Posi. Yeah, it's a theory... The springs don't "know" the difference - they behave exactly the same regardless of the orientation of the shackle. With the shackle reversed, it creates a bit of a ramp when approaching a tall rock or ledge - the shackle will slide up vs. stabbing the obstacle.

Again, just testing a theory. There may be downsides in full flex situations but it's all part of the process ;-)

 

[Kane]

I have seen people hit the front springs on an obstacle and the shackle would invert backward into the frame and get stuck there. With the boomerang facing the other way than the one pictured wouldn't that prevent it from happening? I thought that was the reason for a bommerang shackle.

 

[Manhattan]

I have seen people hit the front springs on an obstacle and the shackle would invert backward into the frame and get stuck there. With the boomerang facing the other way than the one pictured wouldn't that prevent it from happening? I thought that was the reason for a bommerang shackle.

The inverting spring happens, not from hitting the shackle, but from completely stuffing the spring on an obstacle. If the spring arches upwards, the shackles' path will actually reverse: From rest, as an arched spring starts to stuff, the spring effectively lengthens relative to the two mount points. This forces the shackle to swing outward or forward. But if the spring stuffs beyond flat, the shackle will reverse direction and begin to move rearward. This can cause the spring to "pop" up - locking in a stuffed position. The boomerang shackle is supposed to prevent this. My Jeep will NEVER see that amount of stuffage... bump stops won't allow it.

 

[diddy2003]

So I'm removing the body for various reasons, one of which allows me to work on the suspension with ease. Researching various options with regards to the lift and suspension.

Currently thinking: 3" suspension lift, 1.25" body lift. Probably 33" (maybe 35") tires.

Use will be daily driver, beach use, and the occasional off road trails.

Goal: Lift with best ride and stability for primarily road use - secondary off road benefits.

Getting suggestions from all over the map. SOA using flatter leafs (ie: YJ springs) Standard purchased lift kits, Teraflex shackles, etc.

Suggestions from experiences? Any really well developed articles (links) or threads that might help me learn enough to make some decisions?

Thanks
lh

I am in the same boat. I have decided to go with Skyjacker 4 inch Soft ride with Bilstein Shocks. That will work with 33 inch tires and that is all I want to use. 35s require more mods/work to fit without rubbing. My friends own Endangered Species Jeep in the city I work in. They specialize in Jeeps and that is all they work on. They recommend Skyjacker springs.

 

[Posi]

Using the boomerang shackle as an anti kick back will only work with a yj and only with the long side towards the spring. On a CJ the long side has to go towards the frame like Manhatten has for clearance issues.



BOT

 

[CJ007]

IMO 33's may look a little small on the CJ8 .

As for shackles. Maybe I am lucky or it's the type of wheeling I do. But I have broke just about every part on the CJ (not an understatement), but have never inverted one on my CJ or YJ.

 

[Manhattan]

IMO 33's may look a little small on the CJ8 .

As for shackles. Maybe I am lucky or it's the type of wheeling I do. But I have broke just about every part on the CJ (not an understatement), but have never inverted one on my CJ or YJ.

I think 33s and 35s both look great on Scramblers. With the right amount of lift, each size looks perfect.

And yeah, I've only seen a couple CJs suffer the inverted shackle issue. It's usually a symptom of something "wrong" with the overall suspension setup. Getting the spring unstuck is hairy! Imagine jacking up the corner of the Jeep and the tire staying stuffed. Then, using another jack to push the axle away from the frame. Watching the guy do that... crank.... crank... You talk about pucker factor... crank... BOING!

 

[CJ007]

I've only seen a couple CJs suffer the inverted shackle issue. It's usually a symptom of something "wrong" with the overall suspension setup. Getting the spring unstuck is hairy! Imagine jacking up the corner of the Jeep and the tire staying stuffed. Then, using another jack to push the axle away from the frame. Watching the guy do that... crank.... crank... You talk about pucker factor... crank... BOING!

That does not sound fun at all. I am sure I will experience this shortly as I opened my mouth.