How much of a lift do I have?

[Levi Ely]

I realize this is going to come off as an extremely novice question. My cruiser is in the shop, getting both front and rear drum to disc conversion. So I haven't had a chance to do measurements myself.

I would like some educated guesses on the amount of lift the current springs are adding. I bought it about 6 months ago, and have been fixing issues on it since I got it. I am now at the point where I want to lower it a bit. I won't be doing much off roading at all. Maybe light trail, for fun. I also am wanting to fit it in my garage and currently I am 4" too tall for that.

Here is what I know....
35" BFG AT Tires, 2-3" body lift, oversized shackles, and some sort of aftermarket springs. I can't remove the body lift, it was added to make room for the small block and turbo 350 trans. The front and rear springs are different (is this bad, good, doesn't matter?)

Anything you want to add about how the suspension looks is fine also. Its all new to me. I included a video if that helps at all.

 

[Levi Ely]

Make sure to click the HD button when watching the video.

 

[msahr]

I dunno I think the springs look basically stock, but the rear lower shock mount is definitely not factory. Not sure you can "lower" it enough to clear, plus you'll lose tire clearance. How do you know you "can't" remove the body lift? Hundreds of 350v8 conversions are done without one. Good Luck.

 

[Levi Ely]

I dunno I think the springs look basically stock, but the rear lower shock mount is definitely not factory. Not sure you can "lower" it enough to clear, plus you'll lose tire clearance. How do you know you "can't" remove the body lift? Hundreds of 350v8 conversions are done without one. Good Luck.

This is what a reputable shop told me. They may have just meant, It wouldn't be easy. I will ask them specifically why they can't remove them.

I don't need a ton of clearance, as I have quite a bit as it is, and will be driving 99% on the road.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Whoever did the exhaust should be shot. WTH?

I think the springs look basically stock

Front springs with three leaves look stock? To me they look not-stock and weird.

The overall lift looks to be about 5" or so. It's hard to comment on the shackles since you never show them in the pics or video.

 

[Mace]

Yeah, those aren't stock springs. And lowering it 4" with 35" tires without cutting a ton of the body off isn't going to happen. You could go back to stock springs and 33s if you really have to fit it in the garage. Or just air the tires down to fit..

Fast eddy is about right with the amount of lift you have somewhere in the 4 to 5" or so

Btw, the front is going to be a harsh ride with those old Rancho/Burbank springs.

 

[watrob]

Looks like you have around 4" of lift all up, if it was me I would get rid of the body lift and then see how it looks?

 

[cjgoode]

Looks like it is 4 inches. Clearly not stock springs. majority of the spring lifts are 2.5 inches or 4 inches. Looks like my 4 inch lift spring wise.

 

[Levi Ely]

It's hard to comment on the shackles since you never show them in the pics or video.

My bad. Here are a couple. Sorry, I don't have anything close up right now.

 

[Levi Ely]

Whoever did the exhaust should be shot. WTH?

I know dude. I have literally been fixing the previous owners mistakes since i got it.

 

[Levi Ely]

Yeah, those aren't stock springs. And lowering it 4" with 35" tires without cutting a ton of the body off isn't going to happen. You could go back to stock springs and 33s if you really have to fit it in the garage. Or just air the tires down to fit..

Am I missing something? Because there is like 8" of space between my tire and anything above it.

 

[White Stripe]

Im going to guess you have a 2.5" body lift and a 2.5" suspension lift.

 

[shawnfj40]

Here is what I would do if you want to drop it as much as possible without losing the body lift.
I would;
get 31 inch tires
stock springs and shackles (your rear may already be stock)
Stock length shocks

That should drop you at least 3 inches

 

[Fast Eddy]

You could look at the drivetrain and see about dropping the body lift some. A 1" body lift is only 1/2 as dumb as a 2" body lift.

You could get in line for the next build of these to fix your rear fender cutouts:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/possible-group-buy-flat-steel-fj40-rear-fender-protection.762198/