Suspension Lift

OK guys I'm not going to do anything tomorrow but I am excited about this upgrade idea.

I need opinions and suggestions on a 2-1/2" to 3" lift kit?

Brand names, prices etc.

 

I was gonna go BDS before I found mine used. BDS has a no fine print lifetime warranty which is pretty nice. IIRC it was around 350-400 for the kit including shocks and ubolts.

 

I went with a 2.5 inch kit from Rancho with RS 5000 shocks and 1/2 inch lift Con-Fer shackles. I've had this kit on since '91 (yes the shocks have been changed!) and have been very pleased. The ride is somewhat stiff, but that's also due to the shorter wheelbase on our rigs. The best part has been next to nothing in the way of arch loss after all those years. If I do it again, I'll either go with a BDS or a conversion to wider/ longer springs from a YJ but will definetely stick with a spring under configuration for simplicity. My .02..., now it's o'clock!! 8)

 

That is very reasonable. I paid $499 plus $50 shipping for the 4WD hardware 2.5" kit, with shocks, U-bolts, etc. You have to buy your own shackle bolts and nuts/washers for the shocks. I also went with new braided stainless brake lines front and rear. All-together about $650.

Rides much smoother, yet firmer, than my old stock springs with an add-a-leaf. Very happy so far, but I am still in the first 500 or so miles.

 

i got rough country and trust me i think they are going to be about the same amount of spring to them as if i just welded the axle to the frame.
that BDS warrenty is great. my buddy wrecked his YJ bending a spring a while back. well he called them up the next day and a week later he had 2 new front springs. then of course he had to send back his old ones.

 

OK thanks a mil.

I'm going to search for the BDS springs now.

 

Baby John: A lot of good things have been said here about BDS. Sounds good. But I have a 2.5" Pro Comp. Some bad things have been said about them here ie. too Stiff. Well, a lot of us here in Havasu use them and are very happy with them. My old '68 rides like, well an old '68 Jeep! Seems fine to me, in fact I think it rides fairly well. 8) But then again, I don't expect much out of an 81" lifted vehical. Been driving British Sports Cars too long I guess. I thought they rode fine--others said they rode like a rock. :?

 

John,

BDS is here in Michigan and is the way to go due to the no hassle warranty. They are a little more money but worth it IMO. Get a kit with the skid-plate style spring plates that protects the U-bolts.

I would also suggest the 0.5" Con-Ferr shackles (1" over stock). I found the best online price (shipped) was from Central 4WD (IRC $44/pr.).

You have seen my set up in person -- 2.5" lift, 0.5" Con-Ferr 33x12.5 Swampers. In comparison, Tim's Jeep had a little longer shackles. My 33" tires are pushing the limit --I did have minor rub. I may try a 0.5-1.0 body lift.

 

I'm running 2.5" Superlift springs and shocks. Got them for $455 to the door from National Tire and Wheel about 3 years ago. They are stiff though; I was actually kinda surprised how stiff they were. My dad and I had 1" Superlifts on an M38 and they rode nice and I was expecting these to ride similar. It doesn't seem to be as bad anymore, probably because I've gotten used them. I'll go with BDS next time.

 

BDS here, through bob supplee. shipped to my door for about 40 dollars less than i found it listed anywhere else. I would change out the shackles too while you're there, just insurance really. mine is starting the "jeep" lean though... i'm half way looking into lynn's fix on it (different length shackles for the sides).

 

I got the BDS 2.5" at Mile High Jeep Rebuilders. I'd have to dig around for the reciepts for the price. So far, I love the suspension. I need new shackles, though. Can't beat the warranty.

 

i agree with GTE636p about bob. bob is a great guy.

 

Hey John,
'67 CJ has a set of Rancho's advertised for $100 plus shipping. I saw them Sunday and they look to be in real good shape, even see the stenciling on them. Look in the For Sale section. Nickmil.

 

John,
FWIW, I bought my 2.5" BDS lift from Bob Suplee for 500$, which included shipping to California from Oklahoma (I think thats where he is located). All the local 4x shops couldn't even beat that price here in Sacramento. Bob is a great guy to BS with about Jeeps and life in general. I'd rather buy a lift from a small guy and support a small business.

I also went with Conferr shackles, 1/2" bigger in the rear.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

What size lift is the BDS kit and how well does it flex? I'm looking for new 4" springs for my CJ-5. Do the BDS springs use a tight clamp on the leaves or one that allows the leaves to open up and move? Are they tapered leaves, military wrap or have teflon pads?
My 2 1/2" Ranchos flexed extremely well right out of the box and were even better when I arched them higher yet. The eye to eye distance was about 1" shorter than the spec in the FSM for factory springs which makes me think they started with a factory spec for length then arched them 2 1/2" which shortened them up.
I've been eyeballing the Skyjacker 4" since they have nearly the same spring rate as my Ranchos.

 

What's Bob Suplee's phone number or web site? I think I'd rather dump money into a new suspension over a winch.

 

Marc: See: http://www.earlycj5.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=9970

 

Thanks. I'll email him tomorrow. Does anybody have the PN for the BDS lift? I've got a stock '68, D27, D44.