baby jeep question/idea

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Tripwire
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baby jeep question/idea

Post by Tripwire »

many years ago i installed a 2 1/2 lift and have always hated the harsh ride. now I am 50+ its even more annoying currentlyi am rebuilding my suspension and steering/complete front end

I am toying with removing the very short leaf on the spring packs to help soften the ride a bit when i buy tires next year they will not be LT rated, i dont hard wheel anymore so i dont need the stiff sidewalls

thoughts on this approach?

Trip
FSJ.ORG JOIN DATE JULY 2000

Tripwire. 86 Grand. Howell fuel Injected 360. MSD Ignition + Dizzy. 727/228 BJ's 2" Lift and 31's

88 Wrangler Howell TBI and MSD - Borla Headers w/ Cat-back + winch and 31's AND a M416 trailer

Washington State
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fulsizjeep
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Re: baby jeep question/idea

Post by fulsizjeep »

That may help. A friend of mine got a 3" BDS lift for his Cherokee WT. Actually his wife's Jeep. He was around 60, she is younger. They both hated the stiff ride. Finally fed up, he pulled them apart and got after it trimming couple inches off each end of all the sub-leaves with an angle grinder. The Jeep only dropped about 1/2" but gave them a much happier ride on 33s.
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Stuka
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Re: baby jeep question/idea

Post by Stuka »

First, I assume this is the YJ in your sig?

For tires, LT's should be fine, it comes down to tire pressure. 28psi or so should let them run just fine, and most likely wear properly.

For the spring idea, removing the shortest leaf may not have any impact at all on ride, depending on its length. Another big cause for a stiff ride can be the shocks that you have. There are a lot of great adjustable shocks out there these days that can have a big impact on ride quality.
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REDONE
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Re: baby jeep question/idea

Post by REDONE »

Hey Trip! Long time, no see!

Just for the sake of reason, I'll play devil's advocate for a minute. Wranglers ride harsh, and we always see the past through rose colored glasses. You can throw money, time and parts at it, and might convince yourself that you're making a difference. In the end, a 30 year old Jeep is still a 30 year old Jeep, and that's how 30 year old Jeeps ride. :evil:
/Devil]
79 J-10 (Honcho Mucho) KE0LSU
304/Performance Fuel Injection TBI/MTA1/SP2P/Magnum rockers
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Tripwire
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Re: baby jeep question/idea

Post by Tripwire »

Thanks for the buzkill RED LOL ......

I will try some inexpensive things, replacing all the old poly with rubber - BTW i have rancho RS900's on the rig turned to the softest settings, i hope removing the shortest spring will help a little - beets a trip to the Chiropractor

Steve
FSJ.ORG JOIN DATE JULY 2000

Tripwire. 86 Grand. Howell fuel Injected 360. MSD Ignition + Dizzy. 727/228 BJ's 2" Lift and 31's

88 Wrangler Howell TBI and MSD - Borla Headers w/ Cat-back + winch and 31's AND a M416 trailer

Washington State
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dodgerammit
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Re: baby jeep question/idea

Post by dodgerammit »

REDONE wrote: In the end, a 30 year old Jeep is still a 30 year old Jeep, and that's how 30 year old Jeeps ride. :evil:
/Devil]
Not a Waggy that is still stock. Soft and supple. :lol:
84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 :cry: 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses :fsj: Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897

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tgreese
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Re: baby jeep question/idea

Post by tgreese »

Not that familiar with the YJ, but do you need any lift with 31s? CJs will run 31s on the factory springs, no problem. With a leaf spring Jeep, the springs also control body roll. I would think with a YJ's wide leaves and outboarded rear springs, you could go quite soft, especially with the front sway bar these Jeeps were often equipped with. Air down till you get the right footprint, run a tire with soft sidewalls. Get some better seats. Supposedly OME springs ride nice, and Skyjacker too.
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