CJ-2a leaf spring question |
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HotBox
Member Joined: 25 July 2019 Location: NY Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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Posted: 25 July 2019 at 3:16am |
Hello all, I'm at the point of my frame off resto that I'm just about ready to put my axles and springs back on
I've driven in a few CJ-2a/3a, and I know without any load in the rear it's pretty rough, as it's supposed to be Right now I'm in the middle of a decision and am hoping some more educated minds can chime in. I have a local Jeep shop that has stock replacements in stock, Crown and Omix brand leaf springs. I can easily pick them up and install.... But I was wondering if this is the "softest" option. I'm not necessarily opposed to a very mild lift (1"-2.5"). I already asked around and found out SuperLift is discontinued so that's out... I'm not looking to have my Jeep ride like a Cadillac I just am looking for the smoothest ride possible. And before anyone asks I really did attempt to search, but I found no absolute answer I really appreciate any recommendations anyone has Thank you |
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TERRY
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 22 May 2007 Location: BOULDER COLORADO Status: Offline Points: 3400 |
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My Crown springs give a good ride.
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BOULDER 48 2A
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Mark W.
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 09 Nov. 2014 Location: Silverton, OR Status: Offline Points: 7982 |
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If your not going to be hauling weight with your jeep you can always remove one of the leaf's to soften the ride.
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Chug A Lug
1948 2A Body Customized 1949 3A W/S 1957 CJ5 Frame Modified Late 50's 134L 9.25"clutch T90A D18 (1.25") D44/30 flanged E-Locker D25 5.38 Since 1962 |
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smfulle
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 16 Sep. 2010 Location: Ogden, Utah Status: Offline Points: 6141 |
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Airing the tires down some will soften the ride.
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mbullism
Member Sponsor Member x 4 Joined: 29 May 2015 Location: MA Status: Offline Points: 4783 |
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I do this, but it comes with increased tire noise and wear...
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Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it... Welcome to 1930's Germany
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HotBox
Member Joined: 25 July 2019 Location: NY Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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I haven't heard that recommended before. Which leaf would be the one to remove, a small or large one?
Although I do have a 1/4 ton trailer I use, it's not very often compared to regular street driving I've got a 225 v6 under the hood so it's got a bit more pep than the L134 but normal conditions are just me and the wife, not much in cargo. Just trying to cruise around town a but more comfortable (within reason, I know it's still just an old farm tractor) As amother user said airing down the tires is good, I had down this in the past with some results but the back end was still super stiff Edited by HotBox - 25 July 2019 at 1:30pm |
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Stev
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 27 July 2016 Location: Cincinnati Status: Online Points: 2391 |
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The "softest" option might be to change out the seats and cushions to something that is not 70 years old and get something with more padding.
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Stev
1946 CJ2A Trail Jeep (The Saint), 1948 CJ2A Lefty Restored |
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HotBox
Member Joined: 25 July 2019 Location: NY Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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Definitely a good suggestion. Thankfully I have some re-upholstered low back buckets from my 67 Commando that are much more comfortable than the stock cushions it came with. The only real problem with the ride is that kidney punching bumpage from the light back end. Since its getting new leafs on all 4 corners I wanted to find out if comfortable is an option. Not luxury, just a bit comfortable
I've thought about keeping a permanent counterweight in the back but before jumping to any conclusions I wanted to ask what everyone else has done Edited by HotBox - 25 July 2019 at 1:43pm |
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Mark W.
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 09 Nov. 2014 Location: Silverton, OR Status: Offline Points: 7982 |
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You would remove one of the shorter leaf's
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Chug A Lug
1948 2A Body Customized 1949 3A W/S 1957 CJ5 Frame Modified Late 50's 134L 9.25"clutch T90A D18 (1.25") D44/30 flanged E-Locker D25 5.38 Since 1962 |
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Lee MN
Member Joined: 13 Aug. 2008 Location: Harris, MN Status: Offline Points: 4950 |
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I had a set of Crown springs, went flat in a year, complete waist of hard earned dollars 💵 be careful with the lift springs offered, usually very stiff. I ended up having a local spring shop make me a set of springs with 1” lift and I have been very happy with them and have held up well for 3 years now and several trips to the mountains.
Lee |
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LEE
44 GPW-The Perfected Willys 49 2A “If you wait, you only get older” 67 M715 American Made Rolling History |
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jpet
Moderator Group Sponsor Member x 5 Joined: 30 Apr. 2008 Location: Ramsey, IL Status: Offline Points: 11173 |
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X2 on the local spring company. I've been getting mine from St Louis Spring. I tell them exactly what I want, and they make them for me usually the same day. Price is approximately $150 per spring pack which is competitive and they stand by their work.
I sent them a drawing yesterday morning and they called me up that afternoon to tell me they are done. |
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CJ2A #29110 "General Willys"
MB #204827 "BAM BAM" "We do what we can, and we try what we can't" |
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3A Steve
Member Joined: 10 June 2016 Location: West Virginia Status: Offline Points: 879 |
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While I am still trying to figure out the issue of "which springs", I would note that a softer spring plus lower tire pressure will allow for going faster over rough terrain (at least with fewer lost teeth). Also, if you go with more lift, you need to pay attention to your shocks (more lift with original shocks may equal broken shocks... at least it did for me). Some have mentioned Rancho springs... might want to check on that.
Good luck, let us know what you come up with...
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oldtime
Member Joined: 12 Sep. 2009 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 4184 |
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I never buy the Omix junk but somehow ended up with a set of their front springs.
There was almost no flex to them. About 1" of flex with full front weight of the jeep on them. Omix Adda once again receives the Worst Product Award ! |
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Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B .
T98-A Rock Crawler using exclusive factory parts and Approved Special Equipment from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963) Zero aftermarket parts |
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ggordon49
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 30 June 2017 Location: Connecticut Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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Quick question hopefully on topic, what information does a spring shop need to make replacements? Can you just bring them your old ones? Any specifics we should ask for? Thank you in advance.
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- Don't Let The Fatherless Ones Grind You Down -
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HotBox
Member Joined: 25 July 2019 Location: NY Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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Definitely a good point to note 3A Steve. I wasn't sure I was going to go with any lift at all, but I had heard that sometimes with a minor lift (1" or so) could result in a softer ride due to the company you buy from has a better spring rate. Superlift seemed to be everyone's main choice years ago but after emailing the company they no longer offer sell them. For the shocks, I know I'd have to measure the lengths and find what works, I was almost positive I would go with Bilsteins since I have them on 2 other modern Jeeps and they're fantastic
As far as rancho goes, I've read on this forum and a few other so many mixed results I don't even know what to think about them. Of course it's all personal taste. I do have access to a local spring shop. They can make anything I'd ever need. They are also much more expensive than others... I don't mind paying more for the softer ride, but I honestly just wanted to see if anything online, or a specific brand can be suitable. With all the aftermarket Jeep companies out there I really thought I'd have an easier time finding something reliable that won't flatten or kill my kidneys |
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AKoller
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 19 Sep. 2018 Location: Moundridge Kans Status: Offline Points: 651 |
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I have the 2.5" Superlift springs. My opinion of them doesn't matter much since they don't offer them anymore but here it is anyways.... As far as ride quality goes I believe they offer up a softer ride than the stock springs which is great. As far as going off-road with them my opinion goes down. I don't think they articulate well at all. I honestly think the stock springs articulate better. It seems like I have tires off the ground all the time. The pictures below are fairly extreme conditions but still shows the lack of articulation.
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1950 CJ3A "Thumper"
1966 M151 A1 1942 GPW #70221 |
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Spinnas
Member Joined: 24 Apr. 2018 Location: AZ Status: Offline Points: 375 |
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Factory springs ride pretty smooth for me and lots of arch in them(not flattened stockers). That combined with new seat cushions, new tires at lower pressure, and bilstein shocks and it cruises pretty good. Night and day difference from when I got it. It had some aftermarket leafs, cheapo shocks, 20-year old stiff as hell tires, and would rattle your teeth out.
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HotBox
Member Joined: 25 July 2019 Location: NY Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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That's pretty damn interesting. So from what you can tell do you think the stock springs would've been able to hold the tires to the ground better?
I do plan to take mine trail riding, nothing as beast as what you're doing with yours, but I am concerned with the on oad manners a bit more than offroad. Of couse the superlift springs arent made anymore... but I must admit I'm probably leaning towards Crown brand stock replacements over ranchos minor lifted springs |
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