cj5 lift ideas CHEAP

alright, i'm looking for about 4 inches of lift on my 66 and i think that the cheapest way to go will be a spring over axle and a spring shackle lift of about 2.5 inches. i just want enough lift so i can go riding and not get stuck (as much)or hit on anything. i plan on putting 31'' bfg km2's on it. my questions are what do you have to do with your steering and driveshafts if you lift it this much? i'm going for the cheapest lift i can do so if you have any ideas feel free to throw them out there. Thanks, Geoffrey

 

I personally would stay away from a spring over lift, especialy if you want to do it on the cheap. In my opinion the costs and fabrication needed will be more than buying 4 new leafs, shackles and shocks. I have a 2.5" leaf under lift and fit 33's. You can pick up a decent lift kit for under $600.

 

Do you really need a lift for 31's ?

A lift won't keep you from getting stuck.

 

i'm just looking to get it set for going mudding

 

For mud (and I know mud) your axles are what get you stuck. So you could put a 12 inch lift kit on your jeep but them 31's are going to be your limiting factor always and forever. If you are going to run 31's and not go any bigger, then keep it how you have it. If you want an inch or so then buy a set of confer lift shackles and call it good. If you want just enough to clear 33's, then as was stated above, buy a lift kit and call it good. I can a 2.5 inch lift kit with 1inch lift shackles on my cj5 with 33's and it was a rip snortin son of a gun through the mud...granted I had the stock tall gears, brand new swampers and a v8 but non the less. I just did a spring over on a buddies cj5 because he wanted the cheap route and when all was said and done, he is well over $500 and he still hasn't fixed his steering yet. An inproper spring over is deadly, period. I have some pics of my cj with the small lift and shackles with the 33's that I used for mud if you would like to see.

 

My photobucket was open already so here are a couple for you.

 

i used a longer shackle for two inches and a adda leaf for 2 more then the cost of the shocks add in there too.

 

Best way might be to find some springs from a waggie or YJ. I think those will swap and give you about 4 inches or so. Maybe not, you need to research but it seems like the back of my brain says it will.

A spring over is the most expensive way to lift a vehicle if you do it right and safe. It is the least expensive if you bubba it.

 

if your only going to run 31's you don't need a lift, put your money in a locker. That's going to help you in the mud more than a lift. like stated above, your axles is what get you stuck!

 

yup when i did mine the longer shackles and adda leafs were cheapest lift then i installed lockrite lockers front and rear an its unstoppable then of course the saginaw swap.... an it just keeps going from there but all were weekend upgrades so down time was minimal

 

No such thing as a cheap spring over axle conversion if you want to actually drive it


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for mudding, will the f-134 hurricane be enough power? i'm not looking to spend too much time in the mud but i want it to be capable if i chose to.

 

i would rather not throw the one i'm selling in there, but how would the 225 buick engine do?

 

the 225 is a great motor with decent power, especially for a cj5. If your asking whether you should swap in the 225, my opinion is a yes. But the 134 has that "oh so cool" factor thats hard to beat. All in all, its up to you and what you want your jeep to be able to handle.

 

PM sent

 

I'm curious of what your view of mudding is? if you are planning on hitting holes and holding it at 5 grand and hoping you get out, yes you will be disappointed in the F head. If you are doing some trail running and go thru some mud you will be fine. I have been wheeling mine with an F head for years. And have had it in some pretty deep holes. you don't get the wheel spin from it but I run a pretty rough tire that cleans its self pretty easy.

 

The F-head will do amazing things, as will an un-lifted frame, based on subtle skills and careful experience, not raw power. The F-head does not have the horses to blast through deep mud, but often may crawl over or around it in the right hands.

 

Well, here is a spring-over done with all stock parts


















And I wouldn't even drive it for a test drive. And yes, the shocks were bolted at both endsR)





If you do something like this, you will no longer have a Jeep that actually works. As noted, no lift needed to run 31's and if you are going for 33's, a set of 2.5" springs and a 1" body lift will clear them. I am absolutely no fan of a spring-over, period.