Rubicon Express on 1972 CJ-5

Hey all I am curious if any one has retrofitted a 76 and newer Rubicon Express lift kit onto a pre-76 jeep. Probably looking at going with the 4.5" and keeping the spring under and non-shackle reversal. Any idea on the differences in spring lengths of pre-76 CJs to 76 and newer CJs? I currently have a 2.5" Rancho with 33" tires (very stiff), I am due for new tires and would like to go with bigger tires and in turn improved flex and drivability.

Would it be easier to do the yj spring conversion then putting the RE springs on? Would this be a better set-up? I'm not totally set on the RE springs, just that I havent heard a bad thing about them yet.

I did do a search but it is over three years old and only one reply on it with no real information.

 

Think width is the big difference. You would need new spring mounts on the frame and maybe new perches on the axles. 1 3/4" vs 2 1/2". if you are up for some welding, it's doable. You can buy frame mounts or junkyard some if they'll let you torch them off..

 

Looking at the kit they have shackels that "widen" out to accomodate the wider springs with stock mounts. Maybe I'm seeing it wrong though.

Here is the link to the kit.

http://www.rubiconexpress.com/SuspensionSystems/Product.aspx?part=RE5525

 

I've got the 4.5" springs on my '74 CJ-6 and I like them so far. It took some work to get them on though....I also did a shackle reversal at the same time, so there was more involved. The RE springs are 2.5" wide, so going to RE springs would be the same work as YJ spring conversion.

 

Use the Rubicon express CJ to YJ conversion springs on the front and the later CJ lift springs on the rear. This will keep the lengths close to the same but give you 2.5" wide springs front and rear. You will have to cut off your existing spring hardware and install the newer style mounts.

I run this set up on my '72. I love the way it drives and it works very well off-road. The spring swap write up in the tech section on this site is based on my conversion. http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/SpringsShocks/yjconv/index.php

Just looked at the RE site:
The RE1450 would be for the front and the RE1451 would be for the rear. That being said the kit RE5525 kit looks like it has everything you need except the frame mounts and the front shackles. The ones in the kit are designed to be used with a 2" wide spring hanger on the front of a 76+ CJ.

So other then the kit you would still have to buy:
2 - 2.5" wide spring shackles (76+ CJ rear)
4 - 2.5" wide CJ spring main eye hangers (76+ CJ)
4 - 2.5" wide CJ rear Spring shackle hangers. (76+ CJ, can be used on both the front and the rear.)
2- 2.5" wide spring pads for the rear axle

This is not a bolt in kit. It will require Jeep down time and fabrication. Converting to YJ springs is the same amount of work.

 

DITTO Hudsonhawk and great write up. I also did the spring under rubicon express 4.5 lift RE5525.... good kit and rides great.... takes a little bit of work to get it all lined up but worth it. The wider springs are more stable than the stock springs. Find yourself a front sway bar from a newer CJ and use the quick disconnects it helps alot on the street. I needed a CV rear driveshaft and tilted the diff up to correct the angle by welding new spring perches. Also needed 4 degree caster wedges up frontto get 5.1 degrees pos caster and will later cut and rotate the knuckles for better pinion angle.

See my photo album for some before and after shots.

 

I did the Rubicon Express 4.5" kit on my flatty and I was really happy with their product. My Jeep isn't finished yet so I can't comment on the ride yet. I bought new spring and shackle hangers for a late CJ from 4WD Hardware. The parts were really reasonable and I felt it wasn't worth my time to fabricate them for what I paid. The spring hangers are about $18 and the shackle hangers are about $12. Take your time and measure well before welding them in place and you will end up with a good lift. I went with the kit after hearing good reviews from a couple of guys. My build up is here http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60125 . I might even have the part numbers listed in my post. Anyway I say go for it and you will end up with a nice riding and flexing rig.
Greg

 

Thank you guys for the comments! I realized its not a bolt on thing, just trying to decide what my plans are next.