All Spring 6" Lift?

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

Does anyone know if anyone, besides BJ's, makes an all spring 6" lift? Most other kits I have seen use 4" rear springs and 2" blocks. I'd also like to avoid cu$tom $pring $hop$.

[Stuka]

As an owner, I would say skip a 6" kit. They ride really bad. But I have today after a decade, mine has not sagged at all. And it's been on three different jeeps.

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

I've driven a rig with a BJ's 6" with 35s and thought it rode really nice. Way nicer than the crap lift I have now. I guess it all comes down to your perspective of rough.

[Stuka]

True, they are better than rough country or super lift springs. Mine are actually Rusty's springs. They first belonged to Blt2krl I think, then I bought them in like 2005 or so. Had them on my Cherokee, then moved them to my J10 when I sold the Cherokee.

[babywag]

only problem(s) I had w/ them...
virtually nill flex on rears
fronts almost completely tore spring hangers off front of frame.
ride wasn't horrible, but in comparison skyjacker 4" put them to shame.
They were actually ~5" lift, rode like stock.

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

I have Rough Country (I think) 4" springs in the front and Rusty's 4" springs with a 1.5" block in the rear now. I bought them both used from two different IFSJA members. The fronts are STIFF, 6 leaf, non-tapered, square cut springs without any wear pads or anything. They have not sagged the entire 8 years I've ran them. The rears are nicer. Softer, also 6 leaf, tapered with rounded cut springs but they are almost completely flat now and slightly "S" shaped.

I just looked into Hell Creek's 6" all spring kit and they want $1800 for it (not terrible) but over $700 shipping! That puts the kit well out of my price range. I think my only options now are to either wait for the BJ's 6" kits to come back some time next year or settle for the Rusty's 6" kit with 4" rear springs and 2" blocks.

Any other ideas?

[will e]

I did the SOA/SF. On stock springs it took about 2 years to get to the point where they started to twist into an 's' shape and cause some uncomfortable moments at speeds over 55 mph.
I replaced the stock springs with some made to order Alcan springs. I weighed the jeep loaded. Front axle, rear axle and overall weight. I asked for military wraps where they could make them work. I explained the SOA/SF situation to them. They nailed it. Good flex. Right ride. It cost a little more but I am planning on being buried in the jeep and the suspension is a close second to tires in overall effectivness.

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

I've contacted Bill over at Alcan to build me a set of springs. After all, they used to make the BJ's lifts. While I'm sure they make a quality product, over $1400 just for springs not included shipping is a little steep for me. Heck, that's what the entire kit from BJ's costs with shipping.

[Gumby]

If thEy the case just go SOA.

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

While SOA/SF would be the ideal lift, it is not cost effective for me. I do not own a welder, nor have access to one so I would need a shop to weld it. I'm already lifted so I would need to buy or have custom make stock size springs or risk finding some worn out stockers in the junkyard. Then there's the issue of high steer (flat top knuckles, machining, studs, arms, ect). I've priced out a properly set up SOA/SF and it all adds up quick. About the same, if not more than a BJ's lift, not including labor for welding/machine work.

I guess the real question is, would you guys wait for the BJ's 6" lift (due to be back in stock by "early next year" sometime)? Or would you just suck it up cancel your order from BJ's and run the Rusty's 6" lift with blocks in the rear?

[Stuka]

Personally I would buy skyjacker springs. They give about 5", and ride great.

[will e]

How big a tire are you planning on running? This is for a WT cherokee correct?

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

How big a tire are you planning on running? This is for a WT cherokee correct?

I have a brand new set of five 35x12.5R15 BFG M/T's sitting in my garage waiting for a lift kit.

[fulsizjeep]

Kind of a tough choice. I have seen 2 rigs with 6" springs break a front main spring out on the trail. I don't know the brand but pretty sure one was from BJs. If I was certain I wanted 6" springs and had only 2 choices, I would go with Rustys. I have had 2 different FSJs with Rusty's springs on them and no complaints with the product.

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

Kind of a tough choice. I have seen 2 rigs with 6" springs break a front main spring out on the trail. I don't know the brand but pretty sure one was from BJs. If I was certain I wanted 6" springs and had only 2 choices, I would go with Rustys. I have had 2 different FSJs with Rusty's springs on them and no complaints with the product.

You would go with Rusty's 6" even though they use 4" springs with 2" blocks for the rear as apposed to BJ's all spring 6" lift??

[fulsizjeep]

Yes.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

[Stuka]

As would I. The rear 6" springs just do not move, not enough weight back there.

[78 Arizona Chief]

It isn't as simple as just add 2 more inches. The things necessary to go from 4" to even 6" all spring lift are close to the same as SOA/SF. My brother's '88 Grand was one of the ones Flint mentioned that broke the main spring. It had BJ's all spring 6" lift. Rode like crap. No flex, and to boot, you needed to run longer front shackles to keep them from flipping forward due to the longer overall main spring length of the fronts. That added even more height ~1/2", but reduced the front caster to a lighter more wander feeling. If correct length front shocks are used, even with a drop pitman arm, the drag link is still at a pretty good angle. Bump steer. The front driveshaft for both the NP208/229 driversdrop or the Dana 20/BW Quadratrac passenger drop cases cant take that kind of working angle for the CV at the case. A high-clearance cv will be necessary if the jeep is wheeled to any extent. As for the back, the rear emergency brake cables will be too short. The frame mount for the lines can be moved back a couple inches to accommodate, but that takes a welder.

I am guessing your current 4" spring are more than likely BJ's. I have not seen a 4" BJ kit that actually lifted 4"s. They are always a little short. If it were me, I would grab a set of Skyjacker 4" springs front and rear. They net ~5" on every jeep I have seen them on. I ran them on my 1978 Cherokee Chief. Loved them. Loved them. I wheeled the crap outta them and they never gave up. They currently live on my brother's 1980 Honcho Flareside and are still going strong. I ran those with 35" BFG KM1s' I did have to lower my front bumpstops with some of those Rancho ones with the anodized u-shaped spacers. Other than that, it was awesome. Your Golden Eagle would be basically the same.
Kevin

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

I am guessing your current 4" spring are more than likely BJ's.

My lift right now is a hodge podge of Rough Country or Superlift 4" front springs, BJ's front lift shackles, Rusty's rear 4" springs with a cast iron 1.5" block, and ProComp ES3000 shocks all around. It rides AWFUL. The rear springs are flat/almost "S" shaped and the front springs may as well be I-beams because they don't compress or flex at all. So stiff I don't even need the front sway bar.

But thanks for the insight guys. I'm still unsure of which route I'm going to take now. Either Rusty's 6" lift or the Skyjacker 4~5" lift.

[ferrum]

My cherokee has skyjacker 4" lift kit installed with 33" BFG tires. My jeep is daily driver and suspension is awesome. If your jeep is widetrack, 35" tires should fit.