1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

What a difference new springs make!

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Greenshirt82, Sep 15, 2015.

  1. Sep 15, 2015
    Greenshirt82

    Greenshirt82 The Old Girl - '69 CJ5

    Southern Maryland
    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    296
    Back in this thread I asked if my springs were shot. The consensus was "YES!" so I searched around and decided to get the BDS package of front/rear springs and shocks.

    Before:
    [​IMG]

    As I'm looking at my old springs to start the removal process, I realize one of my spring pivots has a rusty hole in the frame next to the hanger. Yikes! I'm not a welder and at the time didn't know anyone local. So I start asking around and after a few weeks I find a fellow Jeeper who likes to do LOTS of welding. He and another Jeeper / welder take a look at it and decide that's not my problem. My problemS are the 4 shackle points! The frame is cracked at all 4, but the right front is flexing so bad that I'm a speed bump or pothole away from a broken frame at the spring shackle point.

    Before:
    [​IMG]

    Wowser!

    So first thing I have to do is get the Ramsey PTO winch removed from the front frame so he can get in there (picture above is after the winch was removed). A couple of weeks and some help via this thread and I got it off.

    So after I get myself some sand and a cheap sandblaster I clean all the cracks and areas around the shackle points. Yes I wore a respirator...

    He then proceeds to repair all 4 shackle points, rates were very good (zero).

    The ride home was obviously better, just a bit stiffer and not all that movement I'd felt before.

    I got the rear springs on with only a smidgen of difficulty; had to cut a nut off and buy a new socket for my impact wrench when the old one decided to give up the ghost.

    After, with some additional rust removed, primed and painted. Plus I put new axle bumpers on:
    [​IMG]

    I took my wife out for a spin last evening. Wow! What a difference. The Jeep sits about 5 inches higher (yes, the springs were that flat) and the ride is very smooth. Almost like being in a car. Well, okay, not that smooth but we no longer feel as though our kidneys are being punched (her words).

    Next weekend I'll be doing the front springs. Then the steering, then the...

    Regards,
    Tim
     
  2. Sep 15, 2015
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,327
    In some years, you Jeep will be new... this is the way it works.
     
    eti engineer likes this.
  3. Sep 16, 2015
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,871
    Hard to beat BDS.
     
  4. Sep 16, 2015
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2002
    Messages:
    2,361
    :iagree:There is OME Wrangler Conversion Springs that are really soft, but cost $.
     
  5. Sep 16, 2015
    Dawgy

    Dawgy Member

    Decatur,Alabama
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2015
    Messages:
    57
    The before and after pictures are amazing. The difference in the springs are night and day.
    The amount of arch almost looks like the frame is still on jack stands.
    Are the spring considered to be the 1" lift?
    Wonder if they will settle much?
    When you get the front complete make sure to post some pictures.
    Looks Great.
     
  6. Sep 17, 2015
    Greenshirt82

    Greenshirt82 The Old Girl - '69 CJ5

    Southern Maryland
    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    296
    There is supposed to be some lift, but not much. I went with smallest I could find as I want a stock look as much as possible.

    When we first put it on jack stands the frame was up 4 inches. When we let the axle down the wheels rested on the floor! So we jacked it up another three to get the wheels off. When I dropped her on her feet with the new springs there was almost no give, but she rocks just fine when doing a "shock check".

    Front shocks going on this weekend.

    Tim
     
  7. Sep 17, 2015
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2003
    Messages:
    1,035
    I had a similar experience when replacing my springs. Got about 5" by adding 2" lift springs! And a much better ride.
     
  8. Sep 17, 2015
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    :tea:
     
  9. Sep 17, 2015
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2009
    Messages:
    3,869
    :tea: x2
     
  10. Sep 21, 2015
    Greenshirt82

    Greenshirt82 The Old Girl - '69 CJ5

    Southern Maryland
    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    296
    Well, all done with the new BDS springs and shocks. Front was a much easier job, all done in a day. She feels tighter on the road, a bit more spongy and not stiff. Certainly not like she was with every pebble in the road feeling like a kidney punch.

    I now wish I'd measured the tub height. From a sort of before photo you can see how low she sits; after is on the right.
    [​IMG][​IMG]

    Real gal lift appears to be about 3-4 inches in the rear, less in the front. The bottom of the tub line is a good measure.

    No more work in for a while! I want to drive.

    Tim
     
  11. Oct 11, 2016
    Mr Plow

    Mr Plow Member

    Boston, Ma
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2015
    Messages:
    193
    Sorry to resurrect this but I just took my cj5 out and was wobbling all over. Checked and bushing at lower shock connection in back is gone. SO I don't think I want to replace just one shock and have read good things about the BDS 2.5 kit. Question: Did you need a new pitman arm with this kit? Pretty easy job? thanks for the info.
     
  12. Oct 11, 2016
    Greenshirt82

    Greenshirt82 The Old Girl - '69 CJ5

    Southern Maryland
    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    296
    I thought it was easy. Two afternoons. My biggest challenge was having to straighten out the bent spring hangers. That was from some adventure many years ago in the woods. The PO didn't remember when, but did remember that lots of stuff got bent a little when it happened. He didn't repair it. I did.

    No, the pittman harm is the original.

    Tim
     
  13. Oct 11, 2016
    Mr Plow

    Mr Plow Member

    Boston, Ma
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2015
    Messages:
    193
    Great thank you!
     
  14. Oct 11, 2016
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2011
    Messages:
    5,407
    looks good (y)
     
  15. Oct 11, 2016
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2015
    Messages:
    1,598
    Very happy with the 2.5" BDS complete suspension system I put on also. Just the right amount of lift and does not affect any components for angles or length. Great ride too :)
     
  16. Oct 12, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,418
    I put my bds lift on years ago. Think there has been some settling but i dont remember where it was to start. Not much. Definatly rides better
     
  17. Oct 12, 2016
    Mr Plow

    Mr Plow Member

    Boston, Ma
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2015
    Messages:
    193
    I really cant shell out the money for the whole kit right now. My shocks are dead - one lost its lower bushing. Is it reasonable to start with the shocks and then replace the leaf springs several months later?
     
  18. Oct 12, 2016
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,871
    Shocks wont help much with flat springs. Better to look for a good used set of springs or find a couple overtime shifts to help pay for the springs.
     
  19. Oct 12, 2016
    Mr Plow

    Mr Plow Member

    Boston, Ma
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2015
    Messages:
    193
    hahaha. got it! Need a paper rout or clients to pay in a more timely manner!
     
    Ric-san and Mark T. like this.
  20. Oct 12, 2016
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2015
    Messages:
    1,900
    How does this compare to the springs that Walcks has? If getting springs, shocks and U bolts, which I'm leaning towards, the price is comparable. I'm just not sure I really want 2 inches over what stock is supposed to be.
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2016
New Posts