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Post by jpnut on Jul 22, 2003 7:56:30 GMT -5
Well, Diane's 98 XJ needs new springs at least in the back (thought I was going to say rear didn't you?) After towing a trencher over the weekend and having to use a hi-lift to detach the 2, I thought maybe I should investigate this a little. First of all, it doesn't need to be lifted in the sense that bigger, BIGGER, BIGGER. It won't be off roaded, it is a grocery getter and animal transportation vehicle. But being a guy and not being about to leave well enough alone, I thought what would a 3" lift hurt. I've thought of spacers in the front and AAL in the rear but the rears I think have been overloaded too many times. Oh that and the fact that I would like to put 30X9.50X15's on it and since it is getting close to needing tires, I don't want to buy tires twice. So what are your thoughts.
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Post by bensredyj on Jul 22, 2003 10:35:39 GMT -5
HAHAAH You chime in at the perfect time. Iv been bustin my hump on Robs XJ over the weekend. SO far iv realized that the cheap block kits at Advance aren't worth their money. I have 1.75 spacer on the front after two days struggling and being answered with the bottle jack. It will need longer brake lines , shocks, and sway bar links to maximixe its potential. SO on to the rear AGAIN. I am thinking of going the Dodge Dakota Rear spring swap way. I called Harry Wrights, wants $125 for the packs though. Maybe as cheap to find a set of MJ springs for the rear. Then there is the problem of finding longer UBLOTS and centerpins. BOlts will have to be ordered and centerpins I think can be picked up at advance.
SO What do you think?
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Post by toynrnd on Jul 22, 2003 11:16:45 GMT -5
MJ springs are a lot longer than XJ stuff. I have seen a couple XJs in quite a predicament because of the aluminum rear lift blocks.
If you don't want to mess w/ the front, a cheap way to go would be add a main leaf from another pack (with the eyes cut off) and see where that gets you. New centers are $2 ea. Just make sure you stock u-bolts have enough room for another leaf.
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Post by jpnut on Jul 22, 2003 11:22:55 GMT -5
Well for Diane's XJ, I think I want to stay away from spacers and longer shackles. Since it really won't be off-roaded, boss' orders (it's her Jeep and I have mine). I guess the real reason that I want bigger tires but not by much is the ones on there look small. Is that price at Wrights for a pair? If they are in good shape that might not be a good price. Who did you talk to over there? I only talk to Alex or his son Morgan. I did find a link www.espo.com and they list the Dakota leaves for a pair at $170 but only goes up to 96 year model. Try Specialty Fastners right around the corner from Wrights may had u-bolts or ESPO on the web.
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Post by bensredyj on Jul 22, 2003 12:21:30 GMT -5
The dakota springs are inbetween the length of the XJ and the lenght of the MJ leafs. I thought that maybe with the MJ leafs and shackles would net you 3". With the Dakota, you use the main XJ leaf and add the dakota underneath, figure it ups the payload towing capacity, and you get the overload springs. lookn for 86-96 rear dakota leaf packs. Ill check out those sites and see about ubolts too. THanks BEN
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Post by bensredyj on Jul 22, 2003 12:23:06 GMT -5
ALSO on tires, I was runin 31's on Robs XJ on the street and didn't have any rubbn issues. SO figure with the spacers, shouldn't be anyproblem till we upgrade some parts. SO maybe think of 31's instead of 30's. Just have to figure out what to do with the spare. BEN
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Post by jpnut on Jul 22, 2003 12:33:08 GMT -5
Oh I think about 31" tires for the XJ, I know where I can get a set of 4 31x10.50x15 already mounted on Jeep rims. Then I could put 33's on the TJ.
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Post by bensredyj on Jul 22, 2003 13:31:04 GMT -5
there you go, now were cookn with fire I do remember calling up a few places in town and them having some 33 MTRS for a decent price at least with a set of 31's you could do a tire swap between vehicles too. BEN
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Post by jpnut on Jul 22, 2003 13:35:54 GMT -5
Well it would be easier to explain why I needed tires, since mine would be on the XJ.
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Post by BIG J on Jul 22, 2003 19:03:44 GMT -5
i would do like chris said and put a full legnth add a leaf in the back, a leaf out of an old pack is the way to go, and you could do an overload leaf too if you need it. the 30s will fit just fine stock, but a little lift would be nice for 31s
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Post by jpnut on Jul 23, 2003 7:26:49 GMT -5
The cheaper the better. More to spend on the TJ that way. The rear leaves are currently flat so it is sitting a little low. But when I looked at the price of replacement springs I thought why not put a little lift in there. I could always say- "See, it really was sagging." But it won't be off roaded so no need to go crazy with it. But then on the other hand, Diane has seen me leave the property with it and it wasn't via the driveway but over the bank. She found no humor in that. I have been wary of add a leafs because if the stock leafs are toast, I don't think that it would cure it.
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Post by bensredyj on Jul 23, 2003 9:13:18 GMT -5
on the same notion, the stock packs only have four leafs. UNLIKE the YJ that had 5 and six leafs in the rear packs. I was wondering if adding a couple YJ leafs to the pack may help. I know the XJ are different with the not centered pin and all. Would adding a main leaf to a pack make that much of a difference? maybe .5in with the leafs thinkness alone. SO are there any stock XJ donor leafs out there BEN
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Post by bensredyj on Jul 23, 2003 9:15:29 GMT -5
Had an idea, but requires money, could ya buy UPCOUNTRY springs as replacements? or is that just grands? and where to look for those?
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Post by jpnut on Jul 23, 2003 9:35:09 GMT -5
I've thought about the up country springs which would probably be a dealer item, that was why I was thinking about aftermarket.
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Post by bensredyj on Jul 23, 2003 13:25:28 GMT -5
well do a search for Upcountry springs, came across a link of someone who ordered a 3" rough country for $100 from JCWhittney. sounded like front coils and a rear ad a leaf. Reason so cheap was no shocks included. But the things iv encountered, I will need shocks, break lines and new sway bar links. Just some interest in the price really, then came across a like of an Ausssie, who added a Ranch AD-A-Leaf and block for 1" or so. ALSO add it to his trailer for travels. Wondering if adding 2 ad a leafs, NOT 1, would net some lift and life out of the packs.
AND WHERE TO BUY REPLACEMENT CHEROKEE SPRINGS?
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