Cj5 Project

Jerry Reaves · 09-30-2007, 07:43 PM

I am rebuilding my 1983 CJ5 from ground up have a 4in lift and 1 in body lift and 2in shackle lift this jeep has not got power steering and I have a set of 35s that I have already purchased do you think it will be hard to steer or will I have steering problems also someone has removed the sway bar from the front end for some reason will this be a problem?

Fatman · 09-30-2007, 07:53 PM

Jerry, Power steering should not be that big a deal, nice to have but not necessary even with 35's.
I'd make sure you have a good caster setting with those 2" shackle lifts, and power assist brakes to stop those 35's.

And yes, find yourself a sway bar.

supraman1990 · 09-30-2007, 07:57 PM

That jeep will be so top-heavy it is pathetic. Not to mention that the 2 inch lift shackles will throw the over-all steering geometry off horribly. You will have an issue at low speeds with handling, it will be hard as **** to drive. Also, with 7 inches of overall lift, you are in 37 inch tire territory. The shackle lift isn't really needed for a 35. The roll-over risk on that Jeep will be crazy.

**BESRK** · 09-30-2007, 09:29 PM

If steering "oomph" is an issue, it is really easy to convert a CJ to power steering. You can source the parts off another CJ and swap the stuff over in an afternoon. I see CJ power steering stuff on eBay all the time.
I used to drive my old 71 short-nosed CJ5 around on 35s for a few years.. before I put the 42s on it. I ran those tires with a SOA lift, Narrowtrac width, wheel spacers and offset rims. I paid attention while I was driving but it wasn't too bad. I even drove it down the highway a few times at about 65mph.