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Very Non-scientific Spring Testing

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Fireball, Sep 25, 2022.

  1. Sep 25, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
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    5,627
    I was screwing around with the three Jeeps. They all have 2.5" lift springs and they all sit within 1/4" of the same ride height. They all seems to ride similarly - better than stock but still not great by modern standards. I was curious how the relative flex compares.

    The Jeeps:
    • Red 1971 Cj-5 with BDS springs. These did need +1" shackles on the front to sit level
    • Red 1969 CJ-5 with ProComp springs. (Which were available 2 years ago from Summit for a good price but seem to be discontinued)
    • Blue 1968 CJ-5 with unknown 2.5" lift springs. Based on military wrap, the type of sliders between the leaves, and the clamps; definitely not BDS, ProComp, Skyjacker, Rough Country, or Rancho. The PO bought a house brand from some 4x4 supply house 20 years ago. I have no idea who the manufacturer was.
    The test was to drive them diagonally through a swale in 4wd until forward progress stopped due to tire spin.

    From the front:

    BDS:
    [​IMG]

    Procomp:
    [​IMG]

    Unknown:
    [​IMG]

    Driver's side:

    BDS:
    [​IMG]

    ProComp:
    [​IMG]

    Unknown:
    [​IMG]

    Passenger Side:

    BDS:
    [​IMG]

    ProComp:
    [​IMG]

    Unknown:
    [​IMG]

    Rear:

    BDS:
    [​IMG]

    ProComp:
    [​IMG]

    Unknown:
    [​IMG]

    Conclusions:
    • The BDS springs seem to flex slightly better than the ProComps but need the annoying +1" shackles in the front.
    • The unknown springs on the blue Jeep are terrible in comparison to the others. You can also tell while wheeling arounds the property. It spins tires when crossed up in places the other two Jeeps drive right through.
    • When the ProComps were still available they were a great cheaper alternative the the BDS springs. I'm a little sad they are no longer an option.
    • BDS is the clear winner because they flex the most and you can actually buy them.

    Note: The test is somewhat useless since the BSD springs are the only ones currently available but it was fun.
     
    Beach66Bum, melvinm, Fresbone and 6 others like this.
  2. Sep 25, 2022
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Dec 2, 2014
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    1,725
    I am thinking about putting BDS on my Jeep, The Ranchos ride too rough.
     
    Beach66Bum and Fireball like this.
  3. Sep 25, 2022
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    Great test, even if it was only for fun!

    Food for thought… how much of an effect does the extra weight of the 350 have on the test? Do you think the Pro Comp/BDS results would have been identical if the 71 had a v6?
     
    Lockman likes this.
  4. Sep 25, 2022
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
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    4,491
    Fun to watch. Always interested in opinions on springs.

    I agree with your disappointment over ProComp availability. I am after 2.5" Wrangler springs from ProComp in the near future. Still listed some places but are they really available? It seems they've stopped producing them.

    Thanks for the post. I like seeing your JEEPs and the work you do to them and with them.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  5. Sep 25, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Apr 8, 2008
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    I'm still waiting on the flatty division to compete. I put money on the gpw.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  6. Sep 25, 2022
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    We bought Alcans for the rear of my son's Willys pickup for around $600
     
  7. Sep 25, 2022
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2002
    Messages:
    2,361
    My Rock Road 3.5" YJ Spring flex for comparison.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    jeepstar, Stakebed, dnb71R2 and 2 others like this.
  8. Sep 25, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    Very sciencey, I love it!
     
    Fireball likes this.
  9. Sep 25, 2022
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
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    Aug 13, 2006
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    Although this photo is 10+ years old now, my CJ is still equipped with same BDS 2.5" springs, Warrior 1.5" shackles and 33" tires.
    I scored a respectable 750 on this RTI ramp. Note the drivers rear tire is about to lift off the ground.
    [​IMG]
     
    Beach66Bum, Fireball and Stakebed like this.
  10. Sep 26, 2022
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,466
    We used the Alcan's for a while and got a set for the Commando we will do 'someday'... IMOP - they are going to be the best option to get a close match to the Holbrook Long Leaf setups. I can give measurements for those, and then you give the folks at Alcan your weights - they custom make them.

    Used to have a guy in at the Spring shop here in Colorado Springs that would custom make them too. Not talked to him in quite a while though.
     
    oblvnnwtnjhn likes this.
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