I drive my 81 CJ to work. It only has two leafs in the front, newer munroe shocks and is so harsh, my back hurts. I dont want to lift it, just make my back happier. Ideas?
How many leaves does a stock setup have?
Some of the JCWhitney options are for between four and eight leafs.
I wonder if I could just get wrecker YJ set and replace them? Any ideas?
Or maybe put 200lb bumpers at each end to soften ride!!! If I go over 1" change in road surface, my coffee actually leaves tuffy center console cup holder and lands on floor.... or me!
Two leafs should make the ride softer, unless they are from a semi-tractor or something like that. The springs that belong there should be very sofe indeed if there were only two of them.
On those shocks ... You want hydraulic shocks as opposed to gas charged shocks. And, you definitely do not want load leveler shocks that can be filled with presurized air.
I was very happy with my Superlift Softride springs when I had them. My daughter managed to break one, so I bought new springs. I bought ProComps, and I would not buy them again knowing what I know now.
As a diagnostic test, you can simply disconnect the shocks and see if the ride improves. I urge you to not leave the shocks disconnected, but you can be reasonably safe if you are cautious. Try a tirp around the block, then head down to the store. Get a good feel for that is happening before you go out too far. You should be able to tell that the ride is better before you get so far as to be a danger to yourself or other drivers. You shold also be able to tell that driving is next to impossible before you get to the end of the block.
Rancho 5000s are a giant leap backwards in ride comfort. The Gas Charged shocks are probably not the right equipment either. Try Doesch Tech (spelling?) DT3000s. Everybody that uses them says they are very nice. My brother likes his Bilsteins. I use the Rancho 9000, but since I installed them, I have never taken them off of the softest setting, so I wasted money on adjustable shocks.
My choice is the 2.5" Superlift springs. And, I guess the shocks to get will be the cheap ones. I have adjustable shocks, but I NEVER use them on any setting other than the softest. Knowing what I know now, I should be running the El Cheapo hydraulic shocks that do nothing beyond keeping the tires on the ground.
I run the 2.5" lift with the Con-Fer shackles that are only about an inch longer than the stock shackles (they were chosen by the PO because they are much stronger than the stock shackles that they replace, I don't think the added length was a determining factor), and a 1" body lift. This set up works very well, and accomodates my 32" tires. The Superlift springs were much softer than the ProComp springs that I have now.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.