Anyone have any advice on new suspension systems? I'm looking to remove the old worn-out leaf springs and shackle lifts on my '72 CJ5 and replace them with a decent suspension lift. The Quadratec catalog has a few of the more common brands I've seen around but I don't know much about them. Most kits seem to include all the leaf springs, bushings, U-bolts, shocks etc. I can get a 4" Trail Master lift kit for $595 but that seems a little tall for my needs and the catalog doesn't offer it in 2" or 3". There's a 2.5" kit (which sounds a little more like what I want) by Skyjacker that costs $637 with hydro shocks or $660 with nitro shocks (not sure the difference in feel or usage between hydro and nitro). Black Diamond makes a 3" lift kit for $488, which sounds like a good deal -- unless of couse it's a piece of junk. Same with Superride that makes a 2.5" kit for $409. Can anybody recommend or warn me against any of these systems? Is there anyplace that rates them for street usage vs. mud vs. rocks? Thanks

Try  www.4wd.com   I used thier 2 1/2 lift kit on my CJ5 and I am happy with it..  

I did see the 4wd.com lift. But I'm about sold on the Black Diamond 3" lift. Anyone try it? Any complaints?

do you have a blacksmith in your area? our local blacksmith rearches old leaf springs for about $100 a set. James 69 CJ5 >

Machine shops? Yes. Blacksmiths? I wouldn't even know where to start looking for a blacksmith in Tampa. In any case, my goal is to get lift as well as a decent ride. I know those can be mutually exclusive concepts. Thanks for the idea though.

What about a SOA? With a set of new shackles. New U bolts and shocks should work wonders without too much expense and can be done in the weekend at home.  

Done right - expensive - good Done cheezy - cheap - bad

You could always do what i did. I just got done with my 4" lift. I cut all the spring mounts off the frame and used 2x4 tubing to relocate all mounting spots 4 inchs lower on the frame. Then just buy new factory springs you get the nice stock ride with 4 inchs of lift. I havent done the springs yet but as of right now i have $0.00 into my 4 inch lift. I'm ordering my new shocks today so that will be the only cost in my lift. I wouldnt say it was the easiest way to go but for me with the tubing and know how it wasnt that bad. I think i have about 15 hrs total into the lift but i just worked on it when i had the time. If you have to buy the tubing i dont think you would have more then 20 bucks into everything. Big thing is just making refrence marks on the frame to messure off when you get ready to weld everything back on. I'm looking at getting my new springs this winter and i think they are going to run me about 79 each for front and 85 each for rear. I dont think thats to bad for stock ride with a 4 inch lift. I did this lift on my 66 CJ5

Josh,
I would love to see a picture of the relocated spring

Give me a few days and i'll see what i can do. I have tomorrow off. It wasnt to bad of a deal my buddy did the same thing on his 66 bronco and that is actually where i got the idea. When I pulled the body off I was just going to do some welding on the body then desided that is was sitting a little to low for my likings and that is where it all started. From the time I bought it to the time i started on the suspension was 5 days...lol....some think i was nuts for paying $1000. and cutting it apart only 5 days after i bought it.