Suspension Question

kcarter4x4 · 12-21-2005, 02:53 PM

I have a 1980 CJ5. It has a little body lift on it. I want to put a new suspension in, however it can't raise the jeep to much. Maybe an inch or two. It won't fit in my garage if I go much higher. This is something that I want to attempt myself. I have leaf springs and 4 shocks. What type of shocks should I purchase and can this be done in my garage. I am not looking to spend a lot of money. I have many projects that I want to accomplish on this vehicle. Thanks for any and all help.

jadams68 · 12-21-2005, 05:55 PM

You may want to look at an "add-a-leaf" solution where you add additional leaf springs to your existing springs and raise the vehicle an inch or two at most.

You may not need to lengthen your current shocks unless they bottom out at full articulation.

TheJunkMan2005 · 12-21-2005, 06:14 PM

how much body lift do you have? If you have a 3" body lift. I'd suggest dropping to a 1" body lift, then add a 2.5" suspension lift. If you already have a 1" body lift, then I'd suggest a 1" shackle lift. If you have more money, then I'd suggest a 2.5" suspension lift. TheJunkMan2005

kcarter4x4 · 12-22-2005, 07:26 AM

I believe that my Jeep has a 1in. body lift. The shocks must be replaced either way. Should I replace the shocks and add a 1" shackle lift? Or should I leave the leaf springs alone and only do a suspension lift? My last question is, that my jeep does not have any springs next to the shocks. Do I have to add those for a suspension lift, or is it just new shocks. Sorry for the stoupid questions, I am new at this. Thanks for all your help and suggestions.
Cheers

kcarter4x4 · 12-22-2005, 07:33 AM

How would I find out, if my shocks bottom out? Thanks for your help.
Cheers

**dawgates** · 12-22-2005, 07:56 AM

First I want you to measure your garage door. It should be a standard height. I have 6" suspension lift, 1" body lift, and 35" tires, with the top on I have 1 1/2" clearance to put my Jeep in the garage.
Once I do a SOA, the garage will be surrendered to the wifes car.

Jack the front tires off the ground. Disconnect one front shackle and see how far the shock lets the suspension down. Or disconnect the bottom bolt and pull the shock down so its fully extended. It should be about 4 or 5" longer then the mounting bolt.
Leaf spring suspension are not very articulate so you shouldn't need much more then the 4 or 5" of shock.

tomass15 · 12-22-2005, 10:22 AM

Not much room to work with. A shackle lift would gain all you can go and not stiffen the ride like an add a leaf or cost much for arched springs.

On the other hand, if your garage door is the one piece tilt up, a pannel door will gain your more clearance. Also you may be able to gain clearance by changing your garage door jamb. Mine has a 2x6 and 1x6 below the header I could easily take out the 2x6 and gain another 1.5 inches of room. If the door is the issue, you can adjust the opener to pull the door higher.

A friend out here in Nor Cal got an estimate of $500-600 (less door) to convert his dual 8x7 garage doors to a single 16x8 foot opening. The new door runs about a grand for a good insulated unit and go down from there.

kcarter4x4 · 12-22-2005, 10:46 AM

Our house is in the process of being sold so I will not be able to do much with the garage. I am sure it is a standard size. I have 31" tires now. So, i don't want to raise the jeep to much. I don't want to have to purchase new tires and rims. How high of a shackle lift can I do? I have seen for front and rear 1 3/4". I am suppost to do front and rear, correct? Thanks again for the help!
Cheers

tomass15 · 12-22-2005, 11:11 AM

i would just do around 1" shackle lift. The shackle will be ~2" longer than stock to get the 1" of lift. With that little lift, you should be ok with brake lines, drive lines and shock travel.

I would unbolt one end of each shock, then jack up your jeep by the frame and let the axle drop all the way down, then see if the shock extends over 1" past the mount. You should be ok on the up stroke of the shock, but can check it by driving up a ramp to max out the upward travel, then make sure the shock body is short enough to still hook up the shock.

TheJunkMan2005 · 12-22-2005, 01:28 PM

Tomass15 has it right. Go with a 1" shackle lift. Ebay has them, 69.00 for a set of 4. That's not greasable or anything like that either. Just cheap, and effective. You can buy them elsewhere, but you're going to be looking at 75.00 for just 2 of them. with 1" shackle lift you won't have to modify anything else. It's a cheap way to lift your vehicle 1", and keep everything else stock. You still won't be able to run 33s on the trails, but your 31s will look better, and you'll have a bit more ground beneath you. That's the route I'm going with my 83 CJ7. 1" body, and 1" shackle lift. Already have a set of 31 All Terrains sitting on a parts jeep. TheJunkMan2005

kcarter4x4 · 12-22-2005, 01:42 PM

Sounds great, thanks for the help. I will look into the ebay shackles and see what I can come up with.
Cheers

**dawgates** · 12-23-2005, 06:38 AM

Heck, let me look through my junk. I'm sure I can find a full set of 1" shackles you can have for the shipping cost.
I'll look tonight and PM you later.

"One mans junk is another mans gold"