I've got a superlift 4" lift on my 84 CJ-7 and I have been pretty happy with it, but I am getting a little tired of it all but knocking my teeth out on every little bump in the road. I was wondering if anybody had a suggestion - I was thinking about replacing it with a Black Diamond XCL kit, but I haven't found anybody that has tried one yet. Anyway if anybody has a suggestion or some feedback on the XCL kit I'd really appreciate it.

If you're already running 35's, and obviously don't mind doing some fab work yourself or paying someone to, why not just go spring over with YJ leafs?

Perfect topic: I was just looking into what type of suspension to use on my CJ build. I first thought about a 4" SUA and have since read soo much about SOA. Correct me if I'm wrong SOA is a better ride? What other mods will a guy have to make when doing this? steering flat tops-anything else? What are a guys best options for springs YJ or buy a custom set? What will a shackle reversal do for it also?

Thanks in advance
Brian

I haven't ever tried a Black Diamond lift, but I've heard from others that it is a pretty stiff setup. I went with the Skyjacker lift, and it is great!! Much softer ride. Just my 2 cents.

DONT KNOW ABOUT THE BLACK DIAMOND. BUT I RUN A 4" HELL CREEK SUSPENSION AND LOVE IT.

Hey Boss, I have a shackle reversal on my 82 and can only report that it helped the ride a little if at all. It did improve my steering considerably so IÆm not sad that I did it.

I had heard that longer springs and softer springs would both help but after putting Cherokee springs in the rear which are six inches longer then stock and suposidly as soft as yj springs, I canÆt say that itÆs riding like a Cadillac. I have also installed Rancho 9000x adjustable shocks all around and have them set at the softest setting but still I bounce. IÆm sure that my expectations are too high but IÆm ready to chuck it all and switch to a coil conversion.

Boss, look in the tech sections, Nutter did some awesome write ups on SOA, along with the theory of why when using flat springs that a shackle reversal becomes redundant and counter-productive. Yeah, if at all possible, do a hi-steer conversion at the time of the soa. After a bunch of research and asking a lot of questions, I'm going to be running BDS 2 1/2" YJ springs, which have a double military wrap, and yet still a pretty soft flexible ride. The guys who have tried out a lot of different YJ packs, adding leaves here and there, have found that those BDS springs work just about ideally. I guess you just have to think of it in terms of a total build up when doing soa. That much lift necessitates 35-36's, so you have to think of axles, driveshafts, etc.

Damon,

thanks for the info--I'm just gathering info before I start to build so I can change my setup. I'm going with ford 9" front and rear, however not sure on SOA or SUA. Dont know if all the extra work and cost is justified for my situation. I'm just looking for a better ride and want 35 in tires. Can you post an address to nutters tech articles, I think I may have read some of them.

Brian

In time I am going to be lifting my CJ. Someone mentioned Rubicon Express lifts to me. I looked up their website, but it seems similar to other lifts. Has anyone had/heard of these kits?

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/cjyjsoa/ http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/ladbar/ http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/axlewrap/

Zac...I have heard a rumor that the Rubicon Express lifts vary a little bit. Rumor goes that the standard duty springs are identical to Explorer Pro Comp's...stiff! While the extreme duty is made by a different spring company. Who knows, but you may want to check it out.