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Tires And Suspension

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by cj573, Mar 12, 2017.

  1. Mar 12, 2017
    cj573

    cj573 Member

    Pittsburgh
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    I m doing a complete rebuild on my cj5 73, It has a 304 v8 with a dana 44 rear and a dan 30 front,t15 and d20. It currently has 28 inch tires, I am looking to got to 30,how much of a lift will i need. I do not want to lift it to much for safety reason.This is going to my be driven around the neighbor hood, no highways.
     
  2. Mar 12, 2017
    rholmes69

    rholmes69 goat herder....

    Raleigh NC
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    If you do a search in the forum, lots of threads on this. Factory suspension can clear 31s with no problems. As long as the they are 10.5 wide, you may barely get rub on a full steer if one corner is stuffed in off camber scenario. 33s if I recall correctly are when you have to start to worry about suspension lifts.
     
  3. Mar 13, 2017
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    you'll have no problem clearing 30" tires with factory spec suspension.
     
  4. Mar 13, 2017
    DHill78

    DHill78 Sponsor

    Central AR
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    My 72, (when it was together, and running) has factory suspension, and 31x10.50's. If turning left, while dropping the left front in to a ditch or hole, the tire would rub the inside of the fender. I bet 30" tires would be just fine.
     
  5. Mar 13, 2017
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    For trail jeeps I prefer tires @ 10.50 width or skinnier.

    I'll assume you have standard 3.73 ratio.
    If you go up in tire diameter you ought to consider lower gears for off road use.
    For most off road uses I prefer tires @ 10.50 width or skinnier.
    With your D-20 you might consider a tera low gear set.
     
  6. Mar 20, 2017
    cj573

    cj573 Member

    Pittsburgh
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    The gears are 3.73. I little bit confused on what to do. I am planning on going to 30 inch tires from 28. How much of a lift will i need so they do not rub. What kind of problems am I looking at by lifting 2 or 2.5 inches. Is there a way to lift it with out having to do a lot of additional work.I have to buy a new suspension the old one is no good
     
  7. Mar 20, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    30 inch tires will be fine with original springs. They may rub on the inside surface of the rear wheel house, or rub the springs at full turn, but they all do. No harm done. These Jeeps accommodate 30 or 31 inch diameter tars without modification.

    "A lot of additional work" is a subjective criterion. Any lift, other than longer shackles, will need new springs. Remove or cut the u-bolts, new bushings for the frame and springs, new u-bolts to attach the new springs. I would be more concerned about the condition of the springs rather than whether the tires will rub a little, or not. If the springs have never been replaced, they are probably fatigued. How much distance between the axle and the stops on the frame? If the springs have fatigued, there will only be a couple of inches. In this case, the ride height is of less concern than the suspension travel.
     
    toy89yota likes this.
  8. Mar 20, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    In this example the rubbing is more likely from width, not height.

    30" tires and new "stock" springs will lift the jeep to a nice height. 2 inches more is significant, but easy enough.

    Why do you feel you need more lift?
     
  9. Mar 20, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    With 2" lift springs a Jeep will look just plain funny with 30" tires. If you have original springs on it now they have probably sagged 2 inches. A 2" lift spring will actually raise your Jeep 4" over what it currently is.
     
  10. Mar 21, 2017
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    My bud runs a 73 with 33's and no lift. Yes there is some rubbing. He found a narrow tire to use.. Not sure how narrow but narrow. Here's what I know about any lift you put on. And since you are looking at a lift I'll just throw this out there. FWIW I have a 2-1/2" BDS lift on my 75. Your vehicle will drive differently with the lift. Stock mine drove straight and had good road manners. With the lift and tires, I have to keep my alignment and ball joints etc spot on, or the Jeep becomes a handfull on the pavement at speed. Also with 33's you will need to adjust your steering stops more than likely. Just food for thought..
     
  11. Mar 21, 2017
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    My experience is just the opposite better road manners and better in the woods. 74 with 21/2 bds lift and shocks.
     
  12. Mar 25, 2017
    cj573

    cj573 Member

    Pittsburgh
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    Anybody know where i can get a good suspension with no lift that comes in a kit. I have looked and can not seem to find one. I am looking for a smooth ride. I know that cj5 really is not a smooth ride. Its got to better that what i had, the old suspension was 30 years old
     
  13. Mar 25, 2017
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    There's an oxymoron if ever there was one. Smooth ride in an early CJ..
    For smooth you need to upgrade to YJ springs. I have been kickin it around for a few years. Had the coin and then...... The wife needs a buncha dental work. Retirement sucks in that sense..
     
  14. Mar 28, 2017
    sgogpn

    sgogpn From the top of Lions Back... 2022 Sponsor

    Glendale, AZ.
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    My experiences, FWIW...
    My 75 CJ has stock springs in the front and some aftermarket springs in the rear. The original rears developed pretty bad lean to the
    drivers side, hence the swap. The rears are stock height. I have ran 32" BFG's on 8" rims for decades and the only rubbing I've experienced was on the Rubicon a few years ago with some fine gentlemen from this very site.:)
    I kept it stock height because I wanted the best ride I could get out of a 5. I like spending a lot of time in it so I'd like to be as (sic) comfortable in it as I can, particularly on long journeys. You stated that you won't be seeing highway time so that may not matter to you.
    You should be able to clear 31's without trouble given your intended usage. I would give some real thought whether to go with lifted springs if you don't need the extra clearance for bigger tires, as the ride generally suffers. The increased arch in a lifted spring (generally) causes harsher ride, although some springs seem to ride better than others, and everyone has their own definition of what a harsh ride is.
    You mentioned your old springs are no good. You might try some stock replacements, maybe doing one end at a time to see what that will get you.
    The only other thing to consider is the type of wheel you're going to use and the amount of backspacing the wheels have. That will be a factor to consider as to whether or not your larger tires will rub or not. With regard to rubbing in the front, there is a bump stop for your knuckle that can be adjusted.

    Keep us posted; let us know how it turns out...

    Mike
     
  15. Mar 28, 2017
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    I have no probs off road. cept the ride is harsher than I would like. it's the highway where it can be an issue.. But I didn't build it for the highway. If I keep the alignment in check I am Ok ...

    Side note ..: Gotta love BDS's warranty. A few years into my BDS lift I broke a leaf in the passenger front spring somehow.. Called BDS and they shipped a new spring to the nearest dealer.. Took the old broke one in and walked out with a new. Cost was zero.
     
    sterlclan likes this.
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