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Lets Talk About Leaf Springs Again

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Patrick, Apr 8, 2016.

  1. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    My Dad told me he put BDS springs on the Tux, but I seem to remember them being Black Diamond. Now, looking at pics and descriptions, they sure look like Black Diamond; tapered leafs, anti-friction pads, etc. They are also very soft for short leaf springs. And, now the RF is sagging. Actually, they might both be, but it definitely sits lower on the RF. I do have the shackle reverse. Might be the weight of the 8274 winch, too.
    Now I've been debating going to a lighter winch, but maybe I'm approaching this from the wrong angle. This thing dives quite a bit when I hit the brakes, and it actually has a fair amount of body roll going into corners. More than any other early CJ I've driven. If they are Black Diamond, they are 3".
    So let's get to my questions......I've never run 4" springs on an early, just 2.5". Any of your ran both 2.5 and 4", of any given brand, and could give me a general idea of actual lift height? Are 4" springs really going to net me 1.5" over a 2.5" spring? I love the articulation of these springs, but honestly I'd like a little more spring rate on the front, and I'd like to gain about 2" in height over what I have now. I'll ask Dad again, but he's pretty adament that these are BDS springs, but I really think they are Black Diamond. Thoughts? Experiences? Yeah, I searched. :)
     
    Patrick, Apr 8, 2016
    #1
  2. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Anyone have a pic of their early CJ5 with 4" springs?
     
    Patrick, Apr 8, 2016
    #2
  3. jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    There's a red one and a green one floating around on here with 4" springs iirc... I've been curious myself with the 33's on my worn out 2.5" springs if I should consider a 4" spring of some sort. The breakover on a six sucks anyways so a little extra height might be nice.
     
    jeepermc, Apr 8, 2016
    #3
  4. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    So I confirmed, these are Black Diamond springs, which means they were 3" springs. I'm going to replace all the springs with 4", I just have to decide which ones. I really do like the ride and articulation of these springs, but the fronts are too soft for the 8274...
     
    Patrick, Apr 8, 2016
    #4
    jeepermc likes this.
  5. cj6/442

    cj6/442 Sponsor

    I had cj7 Black diamonds and they rode great but I killed them with 2years....now I run a Frankenstein pack of BDS and soft rides .....I didn't have the recipt and they wont honor their no questions return policy .....so I asked them can I buy 2 new springs from them they said sure ,,,,, ok ,does that give me a warranty ,,,,,ummmm NO !
     
    cj6/442, Apr 8, 2016
    #5
  6. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    I thought you had BDS springs that went flat?
     
    Patrick, Apr 8, 2016
    #6
  7. Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    I have 4" Trailmasters on the '61. Even with the SB Chevy, they haven't sagged a bit in 25 years. The drawback is the ride is very harsh even for a jeep. I wouldn't be too quick to blame the springs for the brake dive, I believe that's inherent to a shackle reverse.
     
    Oldriginal86, Apr 8, 2016
    #7
  8. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    I know without a doubt, these springs are sagged, and quite soft for short leaf springs. Some of it is from the shackle reverse, yes, but the springs are weak
     
    Patrick, Apr 8, 2016
    #8
  9. jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    *following
     
    jeepermc, Apr 12, 2016
    #9
  10. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Superlift 4" Springs should be here by the weekend. If I don't like them, I'll move on and try something else.
     
    Patrick, Apr 12, 2016
    #10
  11. Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Did you get the complete kit ?
     
    Beach66Bum, Apr 12, 2016
    #11
  12. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Springs and U-bolts. I have Rancho 9000 adjustables on the back, and somebody's basic
    twin tube hydraulic on the front. All in good shape, all long enough for the new springs I'm hoping. If not, I'll buy new shocks.
     
    Patrick, Apr 12, 2016
    #12
  13. Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Right on! that saves a couple hundred dollars.
     
    Beach66Bum, Apr 12, 2016
    #13