Less lift with SOA

[RandyJ20]

I recently bought a 1976 J20 that the PO did a SOA lift and a home made shackle reversal in the rear (cut the stock mounts, flipped and welded back on). High steer in the front. The truck actually drives pretty well for what it is, drives straight down the highway at 70+mph. My only complaint is it sits a few inches higher than I would prefer. The truck has 33s on it and I don't want to go any bigger than that, but they look a little small. I know that taking everything back to stock at this point isn't really an option, so I was wondering if there was any way to lower it a little but still keep the SOA. I've heard of people putting wagoneer springs on a J10 but I'm not sure how well they would hold up to much weight in the bed or if I was to tow something.

I've considered going back to SUA and leaving the shackle reversal in the rear and using lift springs to get to the height I want, just not sure if I want to go that route.

I'm not new to jeeps but I'm new to the FSJ world, so anything is appreciated. Really just seeing what my options are at this point.

[tgreese]

Mmm. I would not assume that the Wagoneer springs will ride any lower than the J20 springs. Looking at my truck, it rides at the pretty much the same level as the wagons. The bump stiffness is much higher, especially at the rear.

These trucks did not ride high like the Fords, for example. They were designed to have a mostly normal sill height - easy entry and exit - and this was a selling point. I'd also expect you can run 33s without any added lift.

First post - welcome from Boston!

[RandyJ20]

To clarify, I have a good 7 or so inches of lift going on since the SOA has already been done. I could easily run 35s right now, maybe even a little bigger, but I don't want to. I want to lower the truck some to fit the 33s. I had heard the wagoneer springs were softer, wasn't sure if they provided any less arch because of that. I would still be a little worried they would be too soft to use for a 3/4 ton truck

[tgreese]

Certainly the spring rate will be lower with the Wagoneer springs, but I would not expect much change in ride height. Indeed, with new springs, I would expect the ride height to increase. 50 yo springs are usually flat.

In '76, the Wagoneer and the J10 had the same GVWR at 6025. If that's ok for your needs, then you could use the softer springs from one of those. The J20 could have a 6500, 7200 or 8000 GVWR from the factory. It's in the VIN. You can read and download the '76 TSM here and decode the VIN. https://oljeep.com/edge_parts_man.html 6025,6500,7200,8000 is M,N,R,X in the 6th spot resp.

Looking at my J20, it has 265/75R16s which are 31.6" diameter. It could easily go to 33s with no change in suspension. There is at least another 2-2.5" diameter that could be accommodated. Looks like if you wanted to go back to spring under, you'd have no issues with clearance.

[Yeller]

The trucks are lighter than the wagons. Would only be too soft if you use it as a 3/4 ton truck. If that was the case, I’d be looking at using a spring off of a newer truck. I have rear springs from a 98-07 Chevy 1500. It rides great and still has adequate capacity for what I need. However it is far from a bolt in installation.

Tim is right, 33’s with the correct back space and width of wheel fits just fine with no lift, I ran mine that way for a good while.

[Stuka]

If you want it to be lower, you may need to have custom springs made that are either perfectly flat, or maybe even reverse arched, which is what ford did in the front of 80-90's F250 and F350 trucks (both TTB and Solid axle).

[RandyJ20]

Thanks for the replies, looks like going back to spring under with some lift springs in the front is what I might end up doing. Between the shackle flip in the rear and the military trailer I have as a bed I'm hoping they'll even out.

What's a popular lift for these trucks? I know Rustys and BDS make them. Rough Country too but I've never been a fan of their stuff

[Stuka]

Thanks for the replies, looks like going back to spring under with some lift springs in the front is what I might end up doing. Between the shackle flip in the rear and the military trailer I have as a bed I'm hoping they'll even out.

What's a popular lift for these trucks? I know Rustys and BDS make them. Rough Country too but I've never been a fan of their stuff

Rough Country is a budget kit with non-tapered springs that ride pretty rough.

In my experience, any 4" spring is going to be shorter than you want with a shackle flip in back. But maybe you will have enough weight to sag the back end like you say. But thats 3-4" of sag that you would need. As most 4" springs are actually closer to 3-3.5". The Skyjacker kit is closer to 4.5", those may be the front springs that would work the best. They are also known for riding well.

[RandyJ20]

Good to know. I read somewhere Skyjacker stopped making the lift for the FSJs but hadn't looked into it

[Stuka]

Good to know. I read somewhere Skyjacker stopped making the lift for the FSJs but hadn't looked into it

Its still listed on their site as being for sale. Though they may just be selling through current inventory.