suspension decision ... ?

The springs on my m38a1 are just about dead from old age . So I think some new springs are in order . Until visiting this site I was considering the rough country 2.5 lift , but I have read that it rides rough and articulates poorly .

Now it between the rancho or skyjacker 2.5" , Modify and use later cj lift that has the wider springs , or YJ springs and a spring over ...

This is mainly a moderate trail machine staying with 33 inch tires stock axles etc. That can be "pimped" to the local hang out ...

whats your suggestions ?

 

Welcome to the board from another Alabama member, you're gonna have to get together with Mark and I over in Huntsville for a beer or 2.
Back to the question, I have a 2 1/2" Rancho lift that is on my 71 cj5, it has been on there for at least 12 years and probably longer as it was on the jeep when I purchased it, however it looked to be fairly new at the time I bought the Jeep, it has held up good with no lean or anything, it still rides a little stiff but has good flex to it and always has, it is not as rough as a stock set of springs and probably could be made better if I put in urethane bushings instead of rubber ones.

If you need any help or want somebody to shoot the breeze with give me or Mark Mann a holl'r and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Mark lives in Madison just off I-565 about 3 miles or so.
Real nice guy too!!

 

A popular lift that alot of members endorse is the BDS 2.5" system. Lifetime warranty on the springs.

I ordered mine from Bob Supplee and he shipped the lift to me for 500$, including shipping to California.

http://www.earlycj5.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=9970

 

Mcruff ~
Sounds like a plan ! I enjoy the occasional beer drinking . Have you ever dealt with rocketcity offroad ? I went by there today and they wanted $575 for the rough country 2.5" thats over 200 more than what I have found it in magazines LOL

Where do yall wheel at around here ?

A friend of mine is building a strait axle 96 explorer and has some land on coalmine Mt just on the other side (east) of huntsville . We go there on occasion to play on quads or trucks .

Drop me a line and we can meet up and chat about jeepin over a beer ! piper351w@aol.com

 

My brother has the Skyjacker 2.5 on his 75 CJ-6. It immediately sagged to a 1.5" lift (no extra stuff on the Jeep). I bought 4" springs from Alcan in Colorado an use Rancho 9000 shocks, soft to medium for trail and firm for highway. I also had Alcan locate my front axle 1.5" forward on the spring. I've had them about 5 years, the lift is now about 3.5".

 

I've installed a set of Holbrook Longleafs on my flatfender. I have yet to test them out because of clutch problems. Only thing I can tell you is installation of hanger location is questionable. Holbrook doesn't have a exact measurment for hanger location and it's up to you to dial it in. Not an easy thing to do without some trail time. Which means you might have to grind out your welds and relocate hangers. 2nd, the main leaf is long and looks like it is vulnerable to bending if you drop your wheel over a leadge an land on the long main leaf.

 

After I installed all the mehcanicals, I added 500 lbs. to simulate two people, camping gear and fuel. I still am not sure of my location beacuse all new springs are suppose to settle once used. I guess that's why a jeep is never done.

 

I would use the angle of the shackle as the location device. If the shackle stands straight up (verticle) with no load, there is the possibility of inverting the shackle on full-out articulation. There was an article in one of the 4x4 mags, it might have been by Rick Pewe, that said the shackle at no load should be 12 degrees(+-). If the springs are well made they should settle no more than 1/2" after your first two or three outings. If these long springs are moving your front axle forward, check to make sure you have clearance at full articulation between steering box components and tie rod/drag link.