leaf springs

Are leaf springs a must, or is there another part that can connect the axle to the frame? I'm sure that this is second nature to a lot of you, but I really have no idea. If there is another way to go, please let me know. I want to lift a '76 CJ7 and hopefully, not be restricted by leaf springs...

I've got a '73 CJ5. I cannot get the suspension to move more than a couple of inches from rest. There's a complete fiberglass body kit on it, but it would seem that whoever put that on (previous owners) did many of the modifications to the Jeep, all of which were done well. My question is-...