New Springs

meah. just thinking. dont have that kind of money for the jeep

 

At the time I bought Walcks offered a package deal on springs / shocks / hardware with free shipping. Might be worth a call.

I'm not a fan of suspension lifts for what I do with a Jeep so that probably colors my opinion.

 

Is replacing the hangers needed? Also I read that there are issues with certain shackles fitting the hangers too. Not sure what that’s about yet though.

 

Not unless you change to wider springs.

 

I'm curious as to how long the rear springs should be on a '72. Center to center comes in at 44-3/4", but the shackles are vertical and it rides like garbage. It probably has to do with the Rancho 2.5" springs too, but with correct spring length the shackles should still lean. So I'm trying to figure out what's going on here. Any intel is appreciated.

 

I have the old C shackles so would like to upgrade them when I do get springs. Is there an idea version?

 

A stock-hight spring won’t have much arch, and it will have the proper shackle angle at rest. Rancho probably built their springs using stock length measurements, just with a higher arch. This brings the spring eyes closer together at rest, which in-turn places your shackle at a more upright position. They should have used a longer main leaf in their design so that the eye-to-eye measurement at rest with 2.5” of lift matches the stock eye-to-eye length.

Unfortunately, the only options are to get new springs that take this into account (if there are any without having them cu$tom built?), take the drastic step of moving spring mounts, or living with it.

 

Are these brand new springs? It'll take a little while for them to settle.
Great looking Jeep BTW, what part of town are you in?

 

I put some new 2-1/2" BDS springs and shocks on my '66 this year. I'm happy with them, no regrets. They ride better than the Superlift springs I used to have.

 

My superlift springs DO NOT flex. I would never recommend or buy them again.

 

Well it looks like BDS is the winner!

now about shackles knowing I have a flat fender frame. Any recommendations?

 

You should see your Dr. immediately about that......

 

Are you saying there is a 2A/3A/3B frame under your CJ5? That will limit your spring selection as the flatty springs are shorter on both ends (and less desirable).

 

Curious what size tires are you running? Could you post a picture?

 

Thanks Doug. I'm west of Academy off of Vickers.

The springs are roughly 20 years old. My brother put the lift on I think in '99-ish but the fronts are for a late-model CJ and were too long. I moved the hangers back. The rears I think are too short. But either way they ride terribly. Worse than the original 11-leaf pack from what I remember (that was a long time ago). I'll put a BDS package on it when I get resettled. For now I just needed to get it drivable because I'm moving to Florida in the spring and need to put it on a transporter.

 

I really like the BDS springs. Farm Jeep Willy has been abusing them for a number of years now, wheeling, driving and towing.

 

Yes and a great help indeed!

 

Hi Tom,

I'm running 33x10.50 BFG Mud Terrains with these BDS springs. Also, have 1" Con-Ferr shackles. I don't have a picture handy, but I can get one this evening, no problem.

 

Here's a picture of my '66 with the 2-1/2" BDS springs, 1" Con-Ferr shackles, and 33x10.50 BFGs.