mdwatkins
02-09-2003, 01:01 PM
Hey guys,
I've got a 79 Cj 5 that has been pretty abused over the past few years before I bought it last fall. Now that I've addressed the majority of the under the hood problems I've got to get my suspension up to par.
Let me give you a better idea of what I'm up against. Both front springs were fanned considerably, the sway bar had been hacked out, and nearly all the u-bolts have been smashed and bent. There was placed on it, what appears to be a cheap 1"-1.5" lift using conn-ferr lift shackels, a hodge podge t-case drop and cheap aluminum axel shims.
I'm looking to to replace probably 90% of the current suspension and replace it with a good lift and a shackel reversal kit up front, but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed out there with all the options. (When I say replace 90% I'm not kidding, I'm looking at replacing all spring plates, replacing the missing sway bar, tie rods, and all the bushings from body mounts on down the line). I've got to get this in good enough condition to be my daily driver yet functional enough for off road. I've looked at a number of 2.5" and 4" lifts, leaving me just as stumped as before.
What have you guys run and found to be a good system? I'm leaning towards a 2.5 lift, but I'm not sure as a 4" system is generally the same price. I'm just worried about ride quality and ending up so tall that I sacrafice my daily drivability with a 4" system. Have any of you out there ruan into this problem? am I better off staying with just a 2.5 and a reversal kit? Also where I've got lift shackels currently will I have to replace these with my new lift to insure proper drive line angles etc? or will I be safe in using them with the new system. Also where most reversal kits provide 1" of lift or more am I better off to just forget my current shackels completely and replace them all with something a little closer to a stock length to keep my drive line angles correct? Also what reversal kits have you run and found to be user friendly. I'm trying to avoid the systems that require any welding. Also are there any systems out there that can be put into place without having to lengthen the drive lines etc.
Any help and suggestions that you guys can give me is extremely appreciated.
Thanks
Matt...
I've got a 79 Cj 5 that has been pretty abused over the past few years before I bought it last fall. Now that I've addressed the majority of the under the hood problems I've got to get my suspension up to par.
Let me give you a better idea of what I'm up against. Both front springs were fanned considerably, the sway bar had been hacked out, and nearly all the u-bolts have been smashed and bent. There was placed on it, what appears to be a cheap 1"-1.5" lift using conn-ferr lift shackels, a hodge podge t-case drop and cheap aluminum axel shims.
I'm looking to to replace probably 90% of the current suspension and replace it with a good lift and a shackel reversal kit up front, but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed out there with all the options. (When I say replace 90% I'm not kidding, I'm looking at replacing all spring plates, replacing the missing sway bar, tie rods, and all the bushings from body mounts on down the line). I've got to get this in good enough condition to be my daily driver yet functional enough for off road. I've looked at a number of 2.5" and 4" lifts, leaving me just as stumped as before.
What have you guys run and found to be a good system? I'm leaning towards a 2.5 lift, but I'm not sure as a 4" system is generally the same price. I'm just worried about ride quality and ending up so tall that I sacrafice my daily drivability with a 4" system. Have any of you out there ruan into this problem? am I better off staying with just a 2.5 and a reversal kit? Also where I've got lift shackels currently will I have to replace these with my new lift to insure proper drive line angles etc? or will I be safe in using them with the new system. Also where most reversal kits provide 1" of lift or more am I better off to just forget my current shackels completely and replace them all with something a little closer to a stock length to keep my drive line angles correct? Also what reversal kits have you run and found to be user friendly. I'm trying to avoid the systems that require any welding. Also are there any systems out there that can be put into place without having to lengthen the drive lines etc.
Any help and suggestions that you guys can give me is extremely appreciated.
Thanks
Matt...