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75 CJ-5 Lift Questions

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by chosen1608, Mar 16, 2015.

  1. Mar 16, 2015
    chosen1608

    chosen1608 Member

    Gainesville, FL
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    I have a 75 CJ-5 which Im in the process of repairing body rust. I have the body off the frame. I have done most of the mechanical work under the body including new ball joints, re pack bearings, etc. Now that I have the body off, I have noticed that the body lift seems to be either old-school or done poorly. I have 2x4 tubing as the lift blocks under the shackles and about 6 inch shackles in the rear. It also has 4 inch superlift springs. My question is, is this acceptable/safe or do I need to remove it and start fresh. Obviously this would be the time to do it since the body if off. Any thought/input would be appreciated.
     
  2. Mar 16, 2015
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    body lift block 2X4 . or welded between spring hangers and frame rail . picture would help
     
  3. Mar 16, 2015
    chosen1608

    chosen1608 Member

    Gainesville, FL
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    block between the spring hangers in the front, rear spring welded to frame with elongated spring hangers in the front welded to frame and standard shackles. The rear has blocks welded to the frame and ~5 1/2 shackles in the rear. I don't know how to post pics or I would. Thanks for your help.
     
  4. Mar 16, 2015
    chosen1608

    chosen1608 Member

    Gainesville, FL
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  5. Mar 16, 2015
    chosen1608

    chosen1608 Member

    Gainesville, FL
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    Figured it out. A little more info. I have been having some wobble issues on the highway. I am running 33s. My friend suggested doing a shackle reversal, but after doing a lot of research, I have decided against this route. My thought is to replace all the shackles with stouter ones and include bushings, which my current shackles don't have. But I wanted to get thoughts on the lift before I do anything. As I said, I don't know if this is just an old school lift and otherwise acceptable or some shade tree mechanic job.
    And I don't have access to pics of the 2x4 tubing but you can probably imagine what they look like.
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2015
  6. Mar 16, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
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    Check out the threads on caster angles... How you described the lift in another thread, it could be a lot of your problem.
     
  7. Mar 16, 2015
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    let me get this straight. You have long shackles, and extended shackle/ springs mounts AND lift blocks between the axle and springs as well?? Sounds like trouble to me..

    I researched lift limits on my 75 CJ and found that 2-1/2" lift is about max.. Sounds like you have at least 8" of hillbilly lift.
     
  8. Mar 17, 2015
    chosen1608

    chosen1608 Member

    Gainesville, FL
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    No that's not correct. In the front, I have that extended shackle mount with factory length shackles. The front rear spring mounts and rear front mounts have the lift blocks. The rear has the extended length shackles. Sorry I don't have upclose pics but maybe these will help.[​IMG]
     
  9. Mar 17, 2015
    chosen1608

    chosen1608 Member

    Gainesville, FL
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  10. Mar 17, 2015
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    Ok... I get it.. After re-reading your original post it looks like you have a lot of lift. As I stated before. 2-1/2" is pretty much the accepted limit on the 75 and older jeeps..

    As for lift blocks placed between the axle and spring that is trouble waiting to happen.. I have seen three cases around here where the lift block spun under torque and dislodged or came out .. In every case the vehicle was in a bad place to begin with, and the block failure caused even more havoc.

    As for your original question, it is my opinion that you scrap all the bubba stuff and start over. Maybe a BDS 2-1/2' suspension set up. There are other kits out there, but I like BDS. I'd also install OEM style/size spring hangars as well ..

    Finally when you finish up take the vehicle in and have an alignment done.


    And if you need I can take photo's of my setup for you..
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2015
  11. Mar 17, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Indeed. Exactly what I would suggest. Cut it all off. BDS is one option, or Wrangler springs. Since you will have no spring mounts on the frame, it's the perfect opportunity to go with the wider springs.

    http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?91142-Wrangler-leaf-spring-conversion

    You don't need a lot of lift to run big tires on a CJ.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2015
  12. Mar 17, 2015
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    X3 on starting over. You can either fabricate new spring mounts yourself that are closer to stock specs or just buy them premade and weld them in place.

    The main reason to stick with a 2.5" lift is the extreme driveline angle that a higher lift presents. With the driveshafts at an extreme angle you are going to have vibration, sometimes a lot of it and since the rear driveshaft is already so short on a CJ-5 you don't have a lot of good options.
     
  13. Mar 17, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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  14. Mar 17, 2015
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    As other said, you may have big issu regarding caster. Having a bad caster will bring handling problem.

    As for suspension, take everything off and start over with new set of leaf.
    The modification done by PO are cheap mod for a vital thing that is suspension.
     
  15. Mar 17, 2015
    chosen1608

    chosen1608 Member

    Gainesville, FL
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    Thanks everyone for the input. I guess the decisions been made...start over. Now to decide what to go with and what the wallet can handle!
     
  16. Mar 17, 2015
    chosen1608

    chosen1608 Member

    Gainesville, FL
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    Timgr...do you have another link that has the pictures from the link you sent above?
     
  17. Mar 17, 2015
    chosen1608

    chosen1608 Member

    Gainesville, FL
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    Zila...could you please show me pics of your setup so I can get an idea of what it looks like? Thanks for the help
     
  18. Mar 18, 2015
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    Yeah I'll get some pix today. Keep in mind I have after market shackles [M.O.R.E.]
     
  19. Mar 18, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Lots of old threads about this topic - https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=site:earlycj5.net+wrangler+spring+swap

    Re the tech article, I suggest you contact the article author if you want the pictures that were there. I don't have any connection with that article, other than knowing it was in the tech data before the site was moved.

    My Jeep has BDS 2.5" lift springs, factory width (1.75") with Skyjacker shocks and McRuff's shackles.
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2015
  20. Mar 18, 2015
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    here's some photo's. My jeep has the BDS 2-1/2" lift. M.O.R.E. shackles, with 3/4" lift.. Original spring width, which is like 1-3/4" . Can't recommend the greasable bolts though..

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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