[2001svt]

My cj doesn't flex...it tips. What can I do with my suspension to increase the flex? As attractive as a 4 link setup with coilovers sounds, I'm not rich. So what else is out there?

[jeepskate]

We kinda need to know what you have suspension-wise now...

[2001svt]

Originally Posted by jeepskate

We kinda need to know what you have suspension-wise now...

Just about 4-6" of suspension lift by way of superlift springs.

[390fastback]

Pull the sway bar out,it really inhibits flex. Second, make sure your shackles aren't biding. I have a 4" skyjacker soft ride in mine with one inch lift shackles (home made H style). and I can stuff oposite corners in the wheel wells while the other tires droop quite a bit. I think its a pretty good set up and works for me.

[BESRK]

In order for a Jeep (or any vehicle for that matter) to flex, it's gotta have soft enough springs, long enough shackles, and long enough shocks. I suppose the first thing I would do is make sure the shackles aren't super tight. I like using a Nylock nut on my shackle bolts so I can just barely cinch them up without worrying about the nut coming loose. Next, I'd check the shocks for travel. Disconnect one shock and then use a jack or engine hoist to fully droop and then alternately compress that corner. At each extreme take a measurement and compare that to the shock to see if it's limiting travel (especially droop). Might want to check the front brake hoses to. Since it's already got a lift on it, make sure that the brake hoses aren't getting tight under droop. That stuff might help a little but honestly, it's all about springs... if those springs are stiff, there's not a whole lot you can do short of swapping them out for some flexier springs... and from what I've seen you get what you pay for. Funny you should mention cost of a 4 link.. FWIW I'm in the middle of doing that very swap on my CJ. As far as cost goes.. I'm in to it about $700 for a pair of 14" Fox coil over shocks and a half dozen different springs of various rates, $200 for 4 Johnny Joints, $50 for a set of Wrangler spring bushings (for axle side of links), and about $250 into the DOM tubing and various pieces of metal (had to order the DOM off the internet because I couldn't find it locally).

[1973CJ5]

Revolver shackles help quite a bit, put those on with some Rancho 5000 or 9000's and you should improve it dramatically. Also remove or add quick disconnects to the sway bar.

[jeepskate]

Let's call it 4" since Superlift doesn't make a 6" CJ lift. Do you have the Super-Ride springs or the Heavy Duty springs? The Heavy Duty ones won't flex much. Superlift uses the cheap 'bend-over' spring clamps...take a pry bar and pry the clamps open a bit. As others already said, disconnect the sway bar off road. What are you doing for shackles?

[2001svt]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I'm not sure what springs I have beyond the brand since they were there when I bought the jeep. As far as shackles go, what ones should I get? If I wanted to replace my springs, what ones do you guys have good experiences with? I think I'm going to start over with new springs/shackles/shocks so I know what that I have what I need. That's a disadvantage to buying a modded jeep. I have to say that whoever built this one knew just enough to be dangerous. He should have his tools taken away. I've spent most of my time and money fixing everything he screwed up, so why should the suspension be any different? Thanks again.

[jeepskate]

Personally, I'd work with what you've got since most of the tweaks are free or cheap. Keep in mind that you're running 35's with a 4" lift, so you don't have a whole lotta flex room...I'm running about 5 1/2" with 35's with the 2 1/2" version of the springs that you have. I run greasable bushings all the way around and use slightly longer shackles with bolt in cross-braces. If you just want to pony up the cash & replace, arguably the best on the market is the Rubicon Express Extreme Duty 4 1/2" lift. It is about the most complete lift on the market.

[John C]

My 2cent. I use a four inch leaf spring lift. I run 1.75" shackle lift, and I have a home-made 1.5" body lift. Long brake lines, long vent lines, long travel drive shafts, and double swaybar disconnects. I use skyjacker shocks made for the six inch lift monolinear leaf spring. I dropped down to 34" tires because I am able to stuff them so deep the 35's scrubbed at wheel lock. I lowered my front bumpstops about 1/2 inch to keep the shocks from bottoming out. (they are completley colapsed at this point) I can ramp 1031 with this set up and so far that has been fine for what I want to do. On a Note: besides the sway bar disconnects (no brainer) the longer shackles have made the biggest difference in my Jeep. I ramped just under 900 before adding them. And I also use greasable bushings.

[Tri_X_Troll]

give it to me and buy a tj