Raising front end for plowing

[mattski]

Greetings to all from new member,

I recently purchased a 1987 GW to use as a plow for a group of neighbors. The springs are somewhat settled and the plow hangs up even in its raised position in a couple of spots. I could use some advice on the cheapest way to raise the front end by ~3 inches.

I also replaced the alternator with the highest rated one I could get from NAPA. I think it is rated at 80 amps. However, after plowing the starter still has a tough time turning over so I wonder if the alternator is still not keeping up with the demand or it is something else. Could I benefit from better grounding? Also, could I run a wire directly from the distributor to the battery to improve charging? Thanks in advance.

Matt

[mccullough_89_GW]

sounds like you need to get new springs up front...
the weight of the plow is sagging the front end that badly, you will definately need new springs....
but I don't understand....are you saying with the plow all the way up to the top,,It still drags?...if that's the case....i can't see how
that plow can't be hooked up right(or it's a hack job on the jeep)...my plow on my chevy is like a 2 1/2 foot off the ground all the way up....

regardless sounds like springs are your only hope....

a couple add-a-leaf I don't think will cut the mustard for a plow that hangs that low...if it does help, they won't last long....
you could try to add another leaf to the front springs...might also work...
good luck

[mattski]

It has a Fischer plow which has a structural member across the bracket which prevents the plow from raising as high as a Western plow I had on a Scout. It raises ~1 foot off the ground but the plow hangs up at the bottom of my hill where it transitions to a flat road. Not that big of a deal but if I can find a cheap fix, I might do it.

Is there a cheap supplier of springs? I have read some threads about a 3 leaf spring which was used for heavy duty applications instead of the 7 leaf springs for that Luxury ride. How difficult is the swap?

[CheapJeep]

I have a set of add on coil springs (package lists them for something like 72-78 jeep pickups) that i found at a flea market. they bolkt to the frame and clamp to the axle to add extra support. they dont add any lift, but they keep it from sagging. need to remove front sway bar though. Keep an eye out for something like this. also, and there was a thread on this i think (a long time ago) about using air lift shocks in the front (front and rears are the same) some have said that teh ride quality suffers greatly, but i haven't tried this idea yet.
Scott