CJ-7 Suspension ?

[Toad]

I recently purchased a 1985 CJ-7. My very first jeep. The retard that owned it before thought he would be smart and build a 2" body lift from 1/4 inch thick square tubing. Then this kid welding these 6" pieces of tubing to the tub. The body lift has to come out and put in new bushings. I want to put
4" springs underneath. I can't decide what kind to use. Rough Country simply because of $$$$ or should I pony out the cash for a full Skyjacker kit. Does anybody have any advice????? Thanks

 

[mbryson]

I don't know much about CJ springs, but you tend to get what you pay for most of the time with springs.

Sucks about the 'body lift'........

 

[BCGPER]

I don't know much about CJ springs, but you tend to get what you pay for most of the time with springs.

Sucks about the 'body lift'........

SOA, and nice soft stock YJ springs are a cheap alternative if you have the know how.....

 

[mbryson]

SOA, and nice soft stock YJ springs are a cheap alternative if you have the know how.....

I don't know how and mine turned out OK.....(still a couple issues to work out, but the big stuff is OK. )

 

[BCGPER]

Ah, shy are ya??? You know how, you've dealt with it.

I don't know how and mine turned out OK.....(still a couple issues to work out, but the big stuff is OK. )

 

[burke]

I would recommend the skyjacker kit...I ran this for years on my last 7 and loved the springs. I ran them spring under and over. On my new 7, I just bought a full skyjacker kit from 4wd.com--their kit comes with shackle hanger bushings and they were doing free shipping.

No experience with the Rough country, I had a 2 1/2 in tuff country springs that have probably done irreversible damage to my kidneys (but that was 12 years ago so they might be better now).

 

[Rusted]

spend a little time looking at the BDS and the Rubicon Express kits as well. There are some Rubicon Express vendors on this board who can help answer questions about them.

 

[Greg]

Doesn't Skyjacker have a 'Softride' line of springs? I had a set of these & was pretty impressed with the ride & wheel travel.

 

[neagtea]

Skyjacker's work well (stay away from the mono leafs) Use Yj springs in front toss the narrow ones. I would look at the new BDS springs very good quality and they have a new 5" (i think). They also have a nice ride and a lot of lift for a sua set up also they are in stock locally BIG O in Centerville and Kaysville.
Just my 2 pennies

 

[MR.CJ-7]

I've had a skyjacker 2.5" softride lift on mine for over 10 years now and I love it, I just wish I'd gone 4" then I wouldn't have had to add a shackle lift.

If I were doing it again skyjacker would be my choice.

 

[DaveB]

I have Rubicon Express springs on my cj8 and they work great, and ride very nice. The Tough Country ones I had on before were way stiff.

 

[Toad]

Sounds like skyjacker is the favorite. I havent looked at the BDS kits yet.
Thanks for the advice. Now I just have to spend half a day and cut that body lift from the tub.
Anybody got a good set of 33" tires they need to get rid of. My Bfg's are pretty much gone.

 

[waynehartwig]

I have Rubicon Express springs on my cj8 and they work great, and ride very nice. The Tough Country ones I had on before were way stiff.

IMHO Rubicon Express has the best springs, for less - they also have a lifetime warranty against breakage or sagging, not that you will ever use it. Their springs also come with new bushings.

I'm not sure about Skyjacker's leafs, but their coils are good.

 

[sbr]

I would go to triple A springs and have them make some for you then you will have exaclty what you want.

 

[Cherokeester]

Rubicon Express 4.5" lift is awesome, I have one on my CJ7. I had skyjacker on before and they sagged pretty bad. RE also uses wider yj style springs for the front with adapter shackles and they work great.

 

[burke]

hey just a thought about removing your body lift. If they used square tubing and welded it to the tub it might make sense to cut the "U" off the square tube. Instead of removing the whole piece of tubing. Depending on the quality of the welds and the condition of the floor you could make a real mess of things removing the pieces. If you were to just remove the sides and bottom of the tubing you would basically be leaving a 1/4 plate which could help strength wise on the body mounts
Not sure if this makes sense to you, but just a thought.

 

[jdub]

I love my SOA and shackle reversal!

 

[waynehartwig]

Rubicon Express 4.5" lift is awesome, I have one on my CJ7. I had skyjacker on before and they sagged pretty bad. RE also uses wider yj style springs for the front with adapter shackles and they work great.

Be careful though, RE has their own CJ springs. Not like other companies that use YJ springs to fit the CJ. Good or bad, they do it for a reason and it works out very well. They also have a different spring rate and etc, custom for the CJ.