1970 Jeep Lift questions

I am going through the rebuild process on my '70 Jeep CJ5 right now. I am getting ready to do some repairs on the frame and then after paint I want to add the springs and axles back on to set up the rest of the chassis, such as engine mounts etc. I want to add a 2.5 inch lift to it but I don't know which kit to order. It has a Dana 20 and a flanged, centered Dana 44 in the rear from a 72-73 I would guess because of the smooth drums? I also have a '74 Dana 30 to go on the front. I see the kit listings that are through '71 and then 72-75 or later. I was thinking that I should order a 72-75 kit since i have the later axles, so the u bolts are correct or is there other differences in the springs themselves? Are all the springs the same as far as bolting to the hangers but the difference in the lift kits are the u bolts?
Thanks,
Rog

 

I would buy the 72-75 kit so that you have the correct size axle u-bolts. The width and length of the springs are the same up through 75.
The shocks should be the same length as well. A lot of guys like the BDS kit, like this one http://bds-suspension.com/product?ma=7&mo=28&ty=27&yr=1972-1975&kid=400H

 

Thanks, I thought the difference was in the u bolts and that the springs were the same but I wanted to be sure before spending the cash.

 

That's correct. The difference actually is mid year 70, because the flanged 44 axle has slightly larger tubes than the earlier 2 piece style. I have the 2.5" BDS springs on my 70 and I'm pretty happy with them.

 

I just installed this very 2.5" BDS kit (72-75) on my '75 within the last couple weeks. Here's a pic of my bds kit installed in the area I believe you're interested in. The front passenger side has a larger I.D. u-bolt on the inboard side (it's the only U-bolt in my kit that came in black, all others were cadmium type colored):

 

Thanks Leftlane. After looking at all of the options for springs I keep coming back to the 2.5" BDS kit. It cost a little more but I believe you get what you pay for and I only want to do this once.

 

bds no bs lifetime replacement gets my vote.