Rancho 3" lift Springs - Early FSJ

[Tonka J200]

Has anybody used Rancho's 3" lift front springs for early FSJ's? Part number RS24043 is for '63 to '74. I got a quote locally of $227.00 a pair. Anyone have a set? How'd they work out?

[Kaiserjeeps]

Tonka j200 I have a set on the front of my 69 wagoneer. In a nutshell I hate them. They ride like a pogo stick. They didn't lift as high as I wanted, and they could have made the main leaf an inch or so longer to have a decent shackle angle. I read somewhere on this forum that they were rated at 640?? LBS spring rate which is significantly higher than any others. Maybe the person who posted the spring rates will post again. I have yet to find a good lift spring for my wag. The local shops won't touch it. I would not buy rancho's springs. Have some custom made if you can find anyone to do it. There's my .02 cents.....Kaiserjeeps....(Al)...

[Tonka J200]

Hmmmm..Thanks for the feedback. Are you saying that they are too stiff for your tastes?

How much lift do you think they actually gave you?

The front springs on my '63 Panel are sagging so bad that they are arched backwards. It must be sitting a good 2" lower than stock. I need to figure something out.

[dharmabum]

Rancho claims that the 24043 springs give a 3 inch lift but they are rated at 604 lbs. Heres a post with alot of springs and their ratings along with their lengths.
http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=014391#000013
I used the Rough Country springs on my 72 but don't think I would do it again. They are still pretty stiff although I havent really gotten to break them in yet but they were too long and I ended up needing to move the front hanger forward. I'm still not really happy with them. BDS seems to be a good spring and their length is supposed to be good...you might want to look into them?

[RustyJeep]

Hmm...I'd call up AB Spring in Grand Rapids. I got my 4" springs there, custom, and I love them. They have no harshness at all.

[Kaiserjeeps]

Yes way to stiff for my tastes. I hit a bump and its like the spring does not want to compress. The whole front end bounces up and then back down.
I would say they gave me 2 1/2" of lift, I dunno, I really want a 4" spring. Maybe if I put a buick 455 in there it would add some weight and stop the bouncing. It looks like you have some pretty nice rigs there. I don't think the rancho springs would do them justice. Go the best quality you can afford.

[Kaiserjeeps]

Hey Rustyjeep, I'm interested in your 4 inch lift from AB spring. I have a 69 wagoneer, do they make a 4 inch spring for that model? Shipping would probably be a killer though....

[Tonka J200]

I think I'll give AB Spring a call. It's only an hour from me to GR.

Rustyjeep- Did they do all four springs for you? I saw in another thread that you paid $115 each - is that right? That's a decent price. Did they have bushings for them too?

[Josh D]

Tonka J200, have you considered a hybrid pack? Scout II springs are the same width, and you can add either stock or lift leaves to your Jeep mainleaf to get the desired lift and springrate. I used 4 leaves from a 3" lift pack and got 3" of lift and a nice ride. It might take some trial and error, but the results can be good for cheap. A lot of Scout owners are going SOA and just about giving away their lift springs (thats how I got mine). Is the panel SUA with mounts under frame, or SOA with mounts side hung like the J-trucks?

[Tonka J200]

Josh D-
I was thinking of giving that a try too. I have several springs from trucks and one Wagoneer that I parted out. I could try building up some custom packs and see what happens. I went through the archives and looked at some past threads on this topic and it sounds promising. Like you said, a little trial and error and I might be able to get what I want with stuff I have lying around.
Hey, maybe being a "pack-rat" will payoff!

[james1414d]

rancho springs for early fsjs... total garbage! fyi if you are going to get some, they dont come with u bolts or any way to level the rear, and did i mention they are garbage? im now running dodge durango springs in the rear,with a schackle flip, no blocks, and soon to have stock springs back in place with a soa.