'55 M170 lift spring ???s (for 34" x 9.5" tires)

Well, as of today, my M170 is running well. A local shop rebuilt the seriously sticky carb, and it actually seems to run really well for less than a couple hundred bucks (most of which was labor).

So, I'm onto the next orders of business, which are brakes and a lift to clear the 34" x 9.5" TSL Super Swampers. I have a set of springs that appear to be ~2" early CJ springs, but they need new bushings and i'm thinking that 2" of lift won't be enough to clear the tires adequately. I'm also thinking (much to the chagrin of my buddy Cooter a.k.a. lwb, who I got the M170 from) that I'll add a set of Spidertrax spacers to the front to help the tires clear the frame when turning.

I'm used to '76-'86 CJs, where there are a TON of lift spring options. The early CJ options seem to be more limited. I haven't really found any body lift options, either (I'd prefer spring lift anyway, but know that Daystar makes nice 1" BLs for later CJs). I have done some searches here on lifts, and saw that some people have been happy with 4WD Hardware's lifts. I'm on a budget, but want to get springs that'll offer as much flex as possible for offroad use. I know it won't be a hardcore wheeler, but should do pretty much everything I have planned for it. So, my questions are:

1. What size lift springs should I be looking for to clear these tires? 2, 3, or 4"?
2. Suggested lift spring manufacturers for the intended use?

Hit me with some suggestions as to what you think I need to clear these TSLs. They're obviously a tight fit at the moment (see pic below).

Thanks,
Craig

 

I'll do some searches for username "Billy" and see what I can find. That is his username, right?

My body mounts, if you want to call them that, are essentially ~1/4" strips of rubber.

One last thing to mention. I don't really want to go with longer shackles, either. The front is factory shackle reversal, and a longer shackle would affect the pinion angle & castor (assuming the D25 had some castor built in).

Craig

 

I didn't find any references to BDS early CJ lifts. The nice thing about BDS is the spring warranty, and the fact that they're a local Michigan company. I have the potential to help boost our crappy state economy.

Can you point me to any pics of Animal? Is Billy also running the 34" pizza cutters?

Thanks for the help...I'll do some searches now.

Craig

 

Billy is Blevisay Yeh he has 34/9.5/? on animal. And it looks dang good I might add

 

the search here does not work with less than 4 letters in a word IIRC.


so, "BDS" , although mentioned a bunch, will come up with zero results.

Try searching with something like "lift brand" or "lift recommend" or "lift company"

 

Thanks sparky.

Blevisay - That's one sweet-looking Jeep. I checked out the BDS site at lunch, and I think it specified a 32" x 10.5" tire as the maximum for the 2.5" lift. I guess they're being conservative. I definitely don't want more lift than I need.

lynn - Thanks for the info. I actually have a buddy who owns a shop, so I'll buy them from him to help their business/profit.

Craig

 

:uwop: I have the 31.50x11.50 LTB's on my jeep and I have no rubbing (that I can tell) on the front. However the rears have rubed the paint of the tub thou...

 

See my pic (w/tires but no lift) on page 1 of this thread.

I drove the M170 a mile home from the shop last night (no brakes, low-range, no top/doors, snowing, wife following behind in the '05 Unlimited). R) It ran well for the trip home, but when I put it in high range once I got home, it acted as if it were flooding out every time I went to take off from a dead stop. A friend, as well as the shop that rebuilt the carb, said they may have to fiddle with the timing somewhat. It wasn't noticeable in low range; only in high-range when more load was put on the motor.

I also need to get the relative position of the twin stick shifters figured out (no data plates in the vehicle). LWB is supposed to be getting me a photocopy of the data plate showing this, but he's dragging his feet somewhat.

I need to get the motor issues worked out first, but do have a friend pricing out some BDS 2.5" lift springs for me.

Craig