Lift & tire question

All,

Would you take a look at my "Pics of Commando" post of 8/23 and take a guess as to how much it is lifted? The shackles are the only lift mechanism that I can see. The tires are 31X10.50X15.

The height is just right, but I want to do it right with springs, not shackles.

I'd also like to put some wider tires (but not necessarily taller) such as 31X11.50 Super Swampers. It will be used primarily to pull a boat, and some trail-riding, but no serious rock-climbing.

I am going to cut the rear wheel-wells out to the top line of the stock fender flare.

Would a 3" spring lift be about right?

Thanks

 

From what I can tell from the picture I would say somewhere in the 2-3" range on the shackles. YOu could run stock springs with a minor lift shackle (3/4") or so and fit the 31's on there. If you are going to cut the rear fender there shouldn't be any fit issues. All the problems come in the rear of the jeepster. You might consider an add a leaf just to stiffen the rear for towing the boat.

 

Its pretty hard to tell judging from the picture but they are pretty long for sure. Would help if you could measure them hole to hole.

If I had to guess id say your probably pretty close at judging them to 3 inches

You do know that springs are going to cost you about 800 bucks to have made. I would ditch those dangerously long shackles and get some slightly shorter ones. Then if you have to do a little fender trimming. But beware that you cannot add what you cut out. I would also suggest add a leafs in the rear since you plan to tow.

Here is a pic of my 72. For lift so far it has 1 1/2 inch re arched springs with longer shackles and rancho add a leafs which are too damn stiff in my opinion. Also the fenders are trimmed in the rear and just slightly in the front which does not apply to yours since the fenders are different. Good luck

 

Nice.

 

Thanks for the info. I do want a good, permanent solution, and so don't mind paying the price for custom springs from Alcan, but I'm not concerned with originality but function and future servacibility.

Consequently, I'm wondering if it might be better to buy a standard CJ lift kit (Black Diamond, Skyjacker, etc.) for less than $500 with shocks.

It seems to me that all I would have to do is change the spring mounts. This should'nt cost more than $300, and so for approx. the same money as custom springs alone, I'd have the whole set-up and easy replacibility down the road...

Good idea? Is spring length a significant problem (I know the back springs are pretty long)?

 

Not sure about the length of yours but on 72-73's I think its 46 inches. Considerably less on a CJ. I think the pay off for changing to a CJ spring would be as you pointed out the availability of parts. IMO for the very small amount of lift your trying to achieve its way overkill.

Why not consider a 2 inch body lift. Its cheap and aside from rusted bolts not to hard.

Watch your rim offset with 11.50 tires. It may rub a little at full lock which is an easy fix

 

Personally, I would buy the custom springs. Direct bolt in, they will last a long time and are made specifically for your Jeep. Also the Jeepster rides and flexes better with those long springs. JMHO but I would stick with Jeepster springs.