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Soft ride suspension

Discussion in 'Wrangler YJ (1986-1995)' started by candyman, Oct 11, 2016.

  1. Oct 11, 2016 at 4:01 AM
    #1
    candyman

    #1
    candyman [OP] New Member

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    Carl
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    1991 Red Wrangler Sport
    rebuilt 4.0
    I have 1991 Wrangler and am looking to soften the ride a little. The front leaf springs look almost flat. I am not a rock climber, just want to explore back woods some. I like the looks of 30" tires and want to avoid full 4" lift so wife and I don't have to CLIMB into jeep. Just an easy get in / get out type height. any suggestions?
     
    candyman, Oct 11, 2016
    #1
  2. Oct 12, 2016 at 1:34 AM
    #2
    VOZ

    #2
    VOZ Committed

    Joined:
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    Clayton, NC
    Vehicle:
    91 YJ RED
    Much
    Welcome...

    Rubicon Express makes a decent kit...

    Most kits are 2.5 " or better..
     
    VOZ, Oct 12, 2016
    #2
    Bob likes this.
  3. Oct 12, 2016 at 10:08 AM
    #3
    C2T

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    C2T Well-Known Member

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    Richard
    Helena, Montana
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    2.5" AEV Dual Sport lift, 35" Treadwright Guard Dogs, Black Rock Wheels, AEV Front & Rear Bumpers with Tire Carrier, Fuel Caddy 10 gal. Aux. fuel tank, Warn 9.5ti, 125' synthetic winch line, front axle skid, 20" LED light bar , Bilstein Shocks, steel steering skidplate,
    Beyond just replacing the springs with another stock set, there are springs available with as little as 1.5" of lift which "may" meet your needs for ride height.

    However, if you are trying to stay where you are at for lift, have you considered a performance set of shocks. The differences in ride from stock (let alone old and worn out) shocks and something like a set of Bilstein 5100 series is night and day. I would place odds that performance shocks will make a bigger difference than new performance springs.

    Of course, there are a plethora of 2.5" kits with new springs AND shocks if that suits your needs for ease of entry/exit of your rig.

    Good luck and Wheel Safe!!
     
    C2T, Oct 12, 2016
    #3
    VOZ likes this.
  4. Oct 12, 2016 at 7:13 PM
    #4
    OFFGRID

    #4
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    This is kindof my specialty, making CJ/YJ comfort ride suspensions. I have had JK owners impressed with the ride of my CJ you see in my avatar. 1st you can run 30x10.50s on a stock suspension. To soften your ride run 5leaf springs in back and 4 in front, and for a really soft ride you can run 4leafs at all for corners if you are not pulling any trailers. If you want to lift your jeep I would go with Old Man Emu (OME) 2.5 in lift springs. 5 leaf in the rear and 4 leaf in the front, and if you really want it soft and don't plan on pulling a trailer, you can do like my buddy and run 4leaf at all for corners (gives crazy flex too). With this lift you can fit 32x10.50x15. You can squeeze 33s on, but you'll rub under flex. I tore up a fender doing that. If you want 33's you should add either a 1in body lift, or 2in shackles which will give you another inch of lift for a total of 3.5in of lift; some use a 1in transfer case drop, but I try to avoid them. I don't usually use body lifts, and some states, like Utah, only allow 1 in body lifts, but in your case the 1 inch body lift might be better as you may not need to perform a slip yoke eliminator (SYE) conversion on your transfer case (inexpensive, but a lot of work). If you do go with the full 3.5 in suspension springs+shackles you pretty much have to run the SYE to prevent driveline vibrations. If you just run the 2.5 in lift you can run the stock driveline. you will need to either remove your trac bars, or make a bracket to relocate them on your axle to keep the correct geometry. That is pretty much it. Check out rocky-road.com Oh I almost forgot . Richard is right about the shocks and if there are a lot of miles on the springs then a new set of stock springs will most likely help.
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2016
    OFFGRID, Oct 12, 2016
    #4
    chris4x4 and VOZ like this.
  5. Oct 12, 2016 at 7:30 PM
    #5
    C2T

    #5
    C2T Well-Known Member

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    First Name:
    Richard
    Helena, Montana
    Vehicle:
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    2.5" AEV Dual Sport lift, 35" Treadwright Guard Dogs, Black Rock Wheels, AEV Front & Rear Bumpers with Tire Carrier, Fuel Caddy 10 gal. Aux. fuel tank, Warn 9.5ti, 125' synthetic winch line, front axle skid, 20" LED light bar , Bilstein Shocks, steel steering skidplate,
    ^^^^now there is a man with a plan^^^^
     
    C2T, Oct 12, 2016
    #5
    VOZ likes this.
  6. Oct 13, 2016 at 10:19 PM
    #6
    candyman

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    candyman [OP] New Member

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    Carl
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    1991 Red Wrangler Sport
    rebuilt 4.0
    • Wow, this is really great advise! I really do appreciate it. Thanks!
     
    candyman, Oct 13, 2016
    #6
    VOZ and C2T like this.
  7. Oct 14, 2016 at 8:51 AM
    #7
    OFFGRID

    #7
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    Your welcome. Give us some before and after pictures please.
     
    OFFGRID, Oct 14, 2016
    #7
    VOZ likes this.
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