Any Recommendations For A Soft Riding Leaf Spring Set?

My father had our old family Jeep restored and the Rancho lift springs on it are way too stiff, and need replacement. My grandfather bought this Jeep new back in '56 and it has been in the family ever since

I am not sure if this was a 2.5" or a 4" lift, so maybe someone here can guess? I wouldn't mind going just a bit lower so long as the 7.50x16 tires don't hit the fenders.
Any recommendations for a replacement spring set and shocks that have a decent ride?
My father is 70 years old now, and while he doesn't quite remember how a Jeep is supposed to ride, the front end on this one is absolutely solid and he needs the Jeep to ride a little smoother.

 

If you're up for minor surgery, YJ springs will make it ride really well. Since you're not after originality here, you might be ok with it.

Awesome Jeep collection btw

 

You could go with factory-style springs. A CJ will accommodate fairly large tires without needing any lift. Typically you'd have something like 7 leaf front and 5 leaf rear as standard equipment by the '70s. Those would work fine and ride about as good as practical.

Look at the Dayton springs here on RockAuto - 1956 JEEP WILLYS 2.2L 134cid L4 Leaf Spring | RockAuto

YJ springs are wider and would require welding new mounts on the frame.

Skyjacker also sells "soft ride" springs for the CJ: Leaf Springs - Skyjacker Suspensions

 

A lot of folks here like bolt-in BDS 2.5" lift springs too. That's probably what I'm getting for my '71. I've got Pro Comp 2.5" springs on the '69 and they're OK but could be softer.

 

Thanks guys,
I will definitely look into the SkyJacker and Dayton springs.
I will try and get some more pictures, the Jeep is at my fathers house so I just get what he sends me.
The resto shop already removed one spring from the pack, but it didn't appear to make much of a difference. From what I read the Rancho leaf springs are notoriously rough and the fronts are pretty much frozen solid so anything will be an improvement.

JRobz,
That photo was from the restoration shop. We are only lucky enough to have one Jeep in the family at the moment

 

I’ve got the BDS lift on my intermediate and like them. Although they could use a little weight in the back to ride really good

 

With no atempt to hijack:
Does anyone know the original spring rating for the Tuxedo Park Jeeps? I understand the Tuxedo's had less spring leafs and a softer ride. Does anyone have enough info on the spring rating that they can be duplicated from a custom spring shop? I am also looking for a softer ride. I don't want to go YJ.

 

I personally don't like the lack of a military wrap on the Skyjacker Softrides. Several members here have broken springs on the trail and the military wrap can get you out of the woods. BDS, Pro Comp, and Rancho all have the military wrap. BDS is probably the nicest of those.

 

I read somewhere that the Pro-Comp springs were pretty stiff.
I have heard lots of good things about BDS and will also look into them. I am not sure if either Skyjacker or BDS will share their spring rates, but I will ask.

I am guessing the most off-roading this Jeep will see is if my Dad misses the driveway. For this reason I am not terrible concerned with the lack of a military wrap.

Do you mean frozen solid from rust? Or just stiff, no give?
The front is pretty solid. I can jump on the front bumper and it doesn't move, at all. The rear has a little bounce to it, but it is also very stiff. It could just be the shackle bolts are over-tightened, but I haven't taken a wrench to anything yet.

 

Oh, here is another picture of the Jeep, probably from the late 70's?
My grandfather was a deer hunter and had a small hunting cabin up in central california. I am assuming this picture is from "the cabin" where the Jeep spent the majority of it's life.

Around 1985 the Jeep went through a major restoration/modification where they really screwed it up. A Buick V6 was installed along with the lift kit, a tilting steering column and a bunch of other bad mods. Diamond plate aluminum was bolted all over the body, which only served to trap moisture and cause a ton of rust. The Jeep was stored in an old barn with no roof for about 15-20 years after that. The entire tub was rusted out, the engine was completely loaded with rat poop... it was in a very sad state.
The restoration included a complete new tub, windshield frame and (supposed) rebuilds of all the major components as well as restoring the steering column back to original and swapping in a manual Saginaw conversion.

 

I have heard so many good things about BDS that I am going to recommend that kit to my Dad and see what he says. It's just a hair more expensive, so it shouldn't be a hard sell.
What's a good shackle kit to buy? Non-Lift, but not the OEM C shaped ones, unless that's the way to go?

 

Check the shackle pivot bolts and make sure they aren’t too tight. Common to overtighten them and keeps the springs from flexing properly. Same with shocks. for years I’ve heard people pan the Rancho springs but mine have always worked very well once broken in