Suspension Lift for 71 J4000?

[ElJeepo]

Hi.. I've been lurking around this forum for several days but have not seen any discussions on lifting pre-74 J trucks. I just bought a 71 J4000 and want to lift it 4" so I can put 33 inchers under her. I called Rocky Mountain Suspension today and they told me that I should call one of the manufacturers because Rancho, Skyjacker, Rough Country Etc do not list any kit for pre 74 trucks.

I haven't had a project like this since I was 18 and I cobbled together a 72 Chevy 4x4 with bailing wire and duct tape. This takes me back to my high school days and I haven't been able to sleep at night because I want to get going on this thing. If worse comes to worse, I can always use blocks to get the lift in the rear, but the problem is in the front. I would prefer to do a spring lift front and rear. Can anyone help me?

Dee

[joe]

I've got 33x9.5's on my stock sprung 72 J4000 and they work just fine, no rub anywhere/anytime. My springs are in good shape though. If yours aren't then YMMV smile.gif

[ElJeepo]

Thanks Joe...

I appreciate the info. Hopefully I will be able to do the same and if not, maybe an add a leaf would be sufficient to make it work. Where is Nordlund? I don't have my map in the house and I don't remember where it is.

Thanks again

Dee

[joe]

Dee, Nordland is on Marrowstone Is. It's about an hour north of you on the way to Port Townsend.

[ March 09, 2002: Message edited by: -joe ]</p>

[67Gladiator]

Hey ElJeepo
I did the rear shackle flip and put a 3" block lift up front and still had terminal rubbing at the front of the front flares (actually bent the steel). That's with 12x35's that are worn to an actual diameter of 34".
I haven't gotten the difference I need out of add-a-leaves. I believe my only option is to go to a springmaker and have a set built.
Good Luck
Geoff

--and Welcome to the boards.

PS The blocks up front are for sizing purposes only; not for driving on.

[ElJeepo]

I went down to my local 4x4 shop yesterday and invited their assisstance. They told me just what you said...i.e. I would have to go to a springmaker and have them made. They pointed me to Rightway Spring in Tacoma WA. I am going to call them tomorrow and find out if they can do what I want, and just how dear it will be.

I bought this truck last week for $1400 with a brand new Chevy 350, GM 400 AT, D20,D44 in front and ? in back. The body (with the exception of the paint) looks like the truck was garaged...no dents and no rust. I was hoping to do a (fairly) inexpensive lift and a Maco paint job and have a Kick #$% rig for around $2,500. My guess is having springs specially made is going make this goal un-attainable. We'll see.

[frozen]

Sounds like you got a pretty sweet deal. The Chevy 350 was never stock, you might have the buick 350. I have a 72 J-4000 and I bought a new set of custom front springs from a local spring shop. New SUPER heavy duty front springs (they added a bunch of leaves over stock, and made each leaf considerably thicker than stock) with any arch height over stock, new bushings, new U-bolts (don't reuse the old ones,) cost me about $350. I live in Alaska so things are generally more expensive then down in the "lower 48" so you might find something a little cheaper. Good luck with the project.

-pete

[frozen]

Oh yeah, if your stock springs are in decent shape you should be able to slip 33's under it. Just my opinion. Let me know how it turns out.

-pete

[Josh D]

ElJeepo,

I also have a '71 (J2000), great trucks!! I lifted mine by using 3" lift Scout II springs in the front and 3" blocks in the rear. I removed the mainleaf from the Scout pack and added the mainleaf from the Jeep pack to get the proper bushings and length. I don't know the brand of spring it was but used very thick spring clamps that had to be heated with a torch to bend out of the way to remove and add mainleaf. I believe any more than 3" added to mainleaf will cause the spring to be to short and invert the shackle when sitting flat. The good news is, is the with 3" of lift I fit 33x12.50 on 15x10 with plenty of room, no rubbing, and it looks killer! I'd look for a used set of Scout lift springs first, then look into the cost of 2 new Scout lift springs. Might be cheaper than custom made springs. Good luck!

[porkchop]

Never use blocks in the front! This can be very bad. Like 67gladiator said "The blocks up front are for sizing purposes only; not for driving on."

You can go the route I went and lower the whole spring mount. If you look back a few pages you see my post with the pics. It is titled "No more lift blocks, lift for pre '74 wag". The front of the trucks are the same as the rear of the wags as far as I know and you should be able to ffab something up. This is the cheapest route IMHO. Just giving you another option.

[ElJeepo]

Hey Josh D and Porkchop...

It sounds like I may have a couple of options. Rear Wag springs for the front or Scout II springs for the front. Will any year Wag springs work and how much total lift will they provide? About the Scout II springs what year? I would like to do an all spring lift in the rear as well. Any ideas?

[67Gladiator]

Hey El
Don't forget the rear spring shackle flip. It's quick, easy and you will not beat the price. There's your 4 or 5 inches out back.
For the front you can get front springs made [brand new!] for $110 to $160. Front U-bolts are $5 to $15, shocks are $8 to $Way-too-much, and you are in business with ease.
I don't know how this front lift will compare to PC's mount lift for cost and simplicity, but for our trucks the shackle flip for the rear springs is near perfect

take care
67

[Josh D]

ElJeepo,

All ScoutII front springs should work (73-80). The ones I used where off a '76 of a buddy of mine who went springover with stock springs on his ScoutII, so they were free. I'm very happy with the results. You can add or subtrack leaves to get the desired lift and ride quality. I was going to flip the rear shackle to get the 3" in the rear, but had read a thread that it would move the axle forward an inch or so, so I sprung the $30 for the block lift. My truck is not used for hardcore wheelin', so the block doesn't bother me. If this was my wheelin' rig, I'd definetely go for the shackle flip. I do need longer front brake lines, and I'm looking for some that work w/the stock brakes, or I'll get some made. Good shocks are worth the $$$, this I know from experience with my trail rig, a SOA YJ, as I've went through a few lower end aftermarket that I've blown out the seals. Very happy with the Rancho 9000's. I have Rancho 5000 on the J-truck. Can't remember the part#, but I believe ones for a lifted J10/J20 will work for the older J-trucks. You just have to be creative with the springs!!