Variations of Leaf Spring Packs

I'm curious to know about the different factory stock spring options available for the early/intermediate CJ5.

My '72 CJ5 was purchased from the PO with what I believe are stock height replacement springs. There are 10 leafs up front and 9 leafs in the rear springs. I have heard of the 10 leaf springs as an option from the factory when new. I have also heard of 5 leaf and 7 leaf springpacks from the factory. Were these combinationes designed for specific engine/drivetrain applications? Do they all provide the same ride height? What are the variations in flex? I would assume those with lesser leaves are softer, but I have seen very stiff aftermarket lift springs with as little as 4 leafs per pack so I wasn't sure.

Thank you for any information,

 

Seems like no answer for my original question, so maybe someone can help if i ask a different question: After quite a bit of searching, it seems that most people state 7leaf front and 5leaf rear were the standard, with 10leaf front and 9leaf rear being the "heavy duty" option. I have found 5leaf front leafsprings from OMIX-ADA and would like to put them up front (with the 5leaf rear springs in the rear) without changing from stock ride height. Will these work with my '72 CJ5 304v8? I cannot find any information on 5leaf front leafsprings for the CJ5. OMIX-ADA calls them "CJ-5E" springs but as far as I know there is no special "E" designation for the CJ-5.

The reason I'm unsure they will work is I noticed some shock absorbers listed online for the stock height CJ-5 (for example KYB on summitracing.com) specifically state they will not work with 5 leaf front leafsprings. I couldn't imagine why this would be unless the 5 leaf springpack gives a different ride height? The Skyjacker H7000 shock absorbers I use make no mention of this but they should be roughly the same size.

I'd really appreciate any help or information. Thank you.

 

Sorry I missed your original post -

From 72-75, Jeep offered both the standard (light duty) and optional (heavy duty) suspension. My book only goes back to '74, but '72 should be the same. For the front, there was a 7-leaf light and 9-leaf light, and a 10-leaf heavy. For the rears, there was a 5-leaf light and a 10-leaf heavy. If your springs have a different number of leaves, then they are almost certainly aftermarket.

Fortunately for you, you can tell which suspension your Jeep came with from the VIN number. http://trailforge.com/TSM/Section_00A.pdf A "T" at position 7 in your VIN indicates a 3750 GVWR, which is standard suspension. An "S" indicates a 4500 GVWR, which is optional suspension.

My guess is that the KYB listing is wrong for your application. Usually the shock manufacturers separate their shocks into standard length and longer lengths for lifted Jeeps.

Are you really set on the Omix springs? Are they the only source for standard height springs?

 

Thank for your informative response, timgr. My CJ's VIN indicates the standard suspension option, but the jeep was refreshed a while back by the PO and I'm sure the springs were replaced at that time with the current 10 leaf front and 9 leaf rear springs. They're starting to sag in the rear just a bit, and I'd like a better ride from the jeep so I figured new springs would help. I made the mistake of first installing new shocks(about 100miles ago), so I don't want to lift it and be forced to buy new shocks again. I'm running 31x10.5x15 tires and I don't need any more lift anyways... So I'm not set on the Omix springs, but they are the only manufacturer of stock height springs I could find. If anyone knows of other stock replacement springs that can be had for a decent price, I'm all ears.

Thank you,

 

I would not hold out too much hope for better ride from replacement springs, unless you go with the Skyjackers or Holbrooks.

Well, I had thought that Rancho 1" lift was available, but apparently not. There may be another supplier that I am not aware of. You can always go custom (ie made to your spec), but that's expensive.

 

I'm not expecting a nice smooth ride by any means, haha. I know these short wheelbase CJ's with narrow springs ride rough and thats the way it is, but when I climb up on my bumper and jump up and down it barely even budges! I'm hoping the lighter duty springs with less leafs will offer a little more flex. Coupled with my new Skyjacker H7000 (which have made a very noticeable improvement over the old shocks already) I think it'll be an improvement in ride quality. I don't really think I need the "heavy duty" springs as my CJ-5 only sees use on very light trails, sand, and the pavement of course.