[Guest]

Hi,

I have Rancho 2.5" spring packs on my 80 CJ. It's in the process of a pretty extensive rebuild… OK I really just got carried away with an engine/tranny rebuild and now it's stripped down to the frame! But it's finally getting put back together and one thing I really wanted to do is loosen the spring packs.

My question is each spring has 4 clamps, 2 in front of the axle and 2 behind the axle. What is the best way to do this?? Can I cut the rear clamps off and open the front ones slightly? Or should I just open all the clamps and then put a bolt through the top, or re-bend the top of the clamp, or weld a piece across the top?

I would like to hear what people have done and how the Jeep handles, both on and off road.

Thanks for the Input,
Kevin
80 CJ7

 

[elusive]

you really do make things complicated! just small prybar and pry them open until they are straight...i just wish i could do that to some of the guys around here.....

~~Elusive~~
it's sort of still a cj thingy....

 

[046]

If you haven't already figured it out, those little tabs are kinda hard to bend without heating them up with a torch. I just cut mine off where they bend over. This mod. ensures that you will not be able to corner at 60 and your days at the slalom course are over.

 

[Guest]

I used a torch and a pair of pliers to bend them vertical. It really does help with droop. Good luck,

Nick Hagen
1995 Wrangler
33" Mud Tires and a four banger

 

[Guest]

If you use a torch be careful not to get the spring too hot. It can lose it's temper and therefore it's spring rate. This mod is much easier to perform when the spring is off the vehicle. I just did my 4 new Superlift springs in about 30 min. this morning with a hammer and chisel. Also, make sure the inboard clamp in front of the axle doesn't interfere with your steering linkage when it is bent up. You may have to remove that one all together.

My other car is a BULLDOZER

 

[fratt77CJ7]

Hey guys, I may be dense but I can't picture how the clamps stay on the spring if you bend the sides straight up and down. What keeps the clamp from sliding down and of the spring? Am I missing something? I have the stock springs on my CJ-7 and the clamp is basically a band of u-shaped metal that goes under the spring and up the sides with another piece of metal w/2 slots in it that the tabs slide thru and are bent over. Uh, I thing I just confused myself. Enlighten me please.

fratt

 

[Guest]

On my springs the clamp is riveted onto the spring. Many aftermarket springs come this way.

My other car is a BULLDOZER

 

[Guest]

Stock springs clamps are rivited too... i just bent mine in a vice, after disassembling the spring pack....good luck
BJ

to hell with it, lets go wheelin'

 

[035]

the way you discribed the 4 straps holding each spring pack in-line kind of sounds like the ones that came stock on CJ's, but you say they are 2 1/2 inch lift.
So, How thick is it? about 1/4 inch or maybe 1/16 inch?
this link below is what i did to my spring packs when i added a add-a-leaf. the U-brackets could be done on any spring pack
http://www.geocities.com/yj3qtr_ton/addleaf.html

3/4tonYJ
My Jeep Page