Lift Kit Springs

Gentlemen,
.
When I first built my CJ2A, about 30 years ago, I got a suspension kit , I believe from Washington state. It was designed for a SBC. with several inches of lift. I now find that the suspension is way too firm for my tastes, not to mention my butt with only a V-6 installed Is there a magic formula that determines how many and which leaves can be removed that will soften the ride, yet maintain the height? Maybe I am asking too much

Thanks

Fltfndr

 

I just went through that with my 2A. I had added a 2 in Lift back in the mid 70's. When I removed it last year I found that shocks had barely moved over the last 30+ years. Total travel on the rod looked to be about 1/2 inch. I spent a lot of time searching the internet and talking to suspension kit makers I finally decided to dump the Rancho shocks and the thick 5 leaf, leaf springs. I used Monroe gas shocks for a CJ7 and took the jeep to a spring shop and told them what I wanted for springs. They built me a set and kept me in the loop allowing me to make inputs throughout the process. Still a rough ride but much better now the springs and shocks work together. One other addition that really helped was a set of Rugged Ridge front seats. The original lift kit was call "soft ride".
Dave

 

Thanks for the input Dave. probably whatI will have to do. But your reply brings up another issue I am trying to solve. I still am using the stock seat brackets with 70s CJ-5 seats and I sit much too high. What type of mounts did you use with your rugged ridge seats?

Fltfndr

 

I built my own out of square tube.

This is a link to a couple of pictures that might give you an idea or two.
http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Dave83616/library/Jeep?sort=3&page=1
Note that I stretched my jeep 4 inches in the cockpit area so the seat frames are longer. But I used the same system before the stretch when I used Mustang seats.

This a link to my jeep project that I did the past year.
http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?104690-Me-and-My-Jeep-(Introduction-Contiuned)

 

HI Dave,

Awesome stretch job. It looks like your seats are mounted horizontally with no tilt back in the mounts. Did your seats have some sort of adjustment to allow you to tilt the backs of the seats?

Regards,

Fltfndr

 

A few things. First, the sbc is only nominally heavier than the 134 and I don't think that is a big factor in spring choice. Certainly less difference there than adding a winch. Winch + sbc may be a factor.

The 2.5" Ranchos on my 3B ride way, way better than the original springs and have held up well over 30 something years. That said, the ride is still stiff and I get wheels in the air on a regular basis when wheeling it. If you want real flex, I think the Holbrook's are as good as it will ever get with leaves.

And if you want seats that work with the rough ride of a flatty, the suspension seats are the only way to go. Corbeau's Baja RS are a decent buy for the money and do have flip-up backs. You will be fabricating the mounts with just about any aftermarket seats, or for the matter, any swaped-in seats. The challenge is building the mounts so the seats sit low enough and still have access the tool box.

 

Fltyfndr
The seats do not have a tilt adjustment. The have tilt built into them. The brackets were built with some tilt and if more is needed I can shim the front bolts. I'm 5"11 about 210lb and find the seats and the tilt right for me.
Dave

 

Hi Dave,

I am going to try stock Cj 5 brackets with my stock cj 5 seats as a starting point and then move to aftermarket seats and fabricated brackets. My weld beads do not look nearly as good as yours. I guess thats why we have grinders. Do you happen to know if a stock cj 5 seat has any adjustment between the seat and the back?

Regards,

Fltfndr

 

Stock early and Intermediate seats do not recline or have angle adjustments like modern vehicles.


Sent from my iPhone

 

I am aware of the lack of adjustability in early and intermediate CJ seats. My first thought is that the early cj-5 seat brackets will be alittle shorter than my CJ2A. My issue is looking out the top of the windshield. I don't have any room for tilt seats any way.

Regards,

Fltfndr

 

I was basing my reply from this part of your post. Regards.




Sent from my iPhone

 

Keying on NICMIL offer, I have to raise the front of my stock seats. My knee and shin do funny things some times with the lower edge of the dashboard. I took tube stock from a dead hydraulic jack handle and cut even lengths with a grinder cut off wheel to eliminate the TILT backwards against the front of the rear fender face that occurred when I raised the front brackets on the front seats. I installed the tube on the inside hinge of the lower socket in the stock frame. I set them with a hammer and let the rain keep them there. My adjustment for the back of the seat is set with a grinder on the insert. My fronts are up three inches for more leg room. The backs are straight up. I am comfy. Hope that helps.