Leaf Springs With 2.5" Lift Front And Rear

Hello everyone I recently inherited my pops 74' CJ5. He has never done any major work on it and I wanted to replace some parts to keep it safe on the road. I've been looking at working on the suspension/steering/brake systems first and I have been looking all over for an answer to which size shocks I should buy with my new leaf springs and haven't found a clear cut answer.

Do I buy shocks for stock height or do I go get the shocks that are for 2.5" lift with these Rancho leaf springs?

I have purchased Rancho leaf springs for the rear and front.

Rancho Suspension RS44162 Leaf Spring - Rear

• Provides 2.5 in. rear lift
• 6 layers
• 46.7 in. flat length
• 1.75 in. spring width
• 287 lbs./in. spring rate
• Includes bushings

Rancho Suspension RS44062 Leaf Spring - Front

• Provides 2.5 in. front lift
• 40.5 in. flat length
• 1.5 in. spring width
• 314 lbs./in. spring rate
• Includes bushings

Thanks for the help, I greatly appreciate it!

 

get the shocks that go with the lift

 

Make sure you completely go through all the steering components before you install the lift as it can exaggerate steering problems. Personally, I would replace all tie rod ends to start and look hard at ball joints. These items aren't as cool as a lift, but will make your jeep a lot safer and more enjoyable to drive if they are worn.

 

In addition to worn out parts, you need to consider the length of the shock absorbers, and how the lift kit affects the suspension geometry.

The shocks that come with a lift kit are typically longer than the original shocks. I know that my BDS lift kit instructed me to lower my bump stops to prevent the BDS shocks from bottoming out at full compression. Your fully collapsed length has to be less (Note Correction!) than the distance between the pins minus the distance between the axle and the axle stops. You may have to add spacers between the axle bump stops and the frame.

The lift kit will change your suspension geometry. I suggest that, after you install the springs, you have the alignment checked at your favorite local tire shop. tell them you understand they can only easily set the toe-in and center the steering, but you want the printout from the alignment machine. Likely the front caster will be out of spec, but look at the other measurements too. If you want, you can post up the results here for advice. You will likely need caster shims for between the axle pads and springs, to bring the caster up to 5-7 degrees positive. This will make a big difference in the Jeep driving easy on the highway, and the steering coming back to center when released.

 

Thanks for replies and advice everyone. I plan on getting a front end alignment done and will post the print out here for more advice.

 

Indeed, I have been looking at replacing these parts as well.

 

Yep, after putting my SkyJacker lift springs on, I had to check the caster... I was sitting at 2 degrees. Added a 4 degree shim to get it up to the needed 6 degrees. Thing drove terrible and wandered all over the road... but after the shims I can now drive it with one hand going down the interstate at 65. No more 'crap in pants' moments. You can pickup a magnetic angleometer at Harbor Freight for like 10 bucks.

-Troy