I'm trying to keep my XJ as a somewhat comfortable dd while adding enough clearance for 31's and occasional light off-roading. School and my other car suck up most of my mod money so I'm also trying to do this with a small budget. After doing some research on here and reading the how-to on rock lizard fab's site, I'd like to do a bastard pack for the rear.


I've found a guy about an hour away with XJ tow package leaf springs that he claims still had great arch to them for $50 or there a few XJ's being parted out a lot closer that I'm thinking I could get the leafs from.Right now, my rear leafs are almost flat so I'm wondering which leaf packs I should go for and what would be the best configuration of leafs to put together for ride and 2-3” lift. Also, if you can, give me a better idea of how much of boost I'm going to get with that configuration so I can start trying to pick a route to go with the front to match.


I'm still pretty new to Jeeps so I'm open to any other tips or suggestions, too.

 

.....or I thought about it more at work today, and re-read the old thread on here by someone in a similar situation:

For probably close to the same amount of money that I'd have into piecing together a budget boot, should I just go with the RC 3" AAL kit. I've seen all the bad reviews of AALs, but if it can hold me over about a year until I can get full leaf packs I think it might be worth it. Will I still get around a 3" lift in the back with AAL if my leafs are sagging now?

 

Yes you will but aad will cost you more $ and dont last nearly as long. Theres a thread [93 cherokee country build] that did the bps . On this forum, check it out.

 

if you are thinking about the bastard packs in the rear. i used an S-10 4X4 rear springs added to my main to get 3.5 inches of lift. i have 265/16 BFG's that measure 31" actual height and have plenty of room

 

For 50 bucks I would just go buy some chevy drop shackles from a full soze rig.

 

same thing on the ford drop shackles. they give you up to 2" more lift 29.99 autozone.

 

thanks for the input so far, guys.

Is that still going to be effective with my leafs starting to sag?

 

I'm starting to really like this idea if I can still get enough lift for 31's to fit given the current state of my leafs. I can keep my stock spec shocks at 2", correct? The guy I got it from claims they put new KYB nitro shocks on right before selling it to me.

 

Those like add a leaves will eventually sag. By repositioning the spring, all the flex occurs in the rear half and takes the temper out of it. Plus you run the risk of getting driveline vibrations. Just use the S10 spring, it will give much better results.

 

You run the same risk of getting vibes anytime you add a lift. By running a longer shckle you increase the amount of drop/stuff you have. IT does rotate your pinion up a lil. Change your u-joints.. and more then likely you will not have vibes.

 

why dont you get some springs that lift it 2 inches higher and some coil spacers for the front?

 

I'm bastard packing with another set of cherokee springs, I'm told, I dont know yet, that 2 leaves from a cherokee nets about 3 inches. Add a leaf and coil spacers are not the way to go. Add a leaf is why I have to bastard pack and coil spacers don't ride as nice as 3 inch springs.

 

i know but its a real cheap way to go if you want it i was just throwin it out there

 

im the king of cheap. i got 5" from zj v8 coilsprings and spacers in front and 3" aal with ford lowering shackles in rear. = awesome

 

Nah is cool, it's budget, but I had a spring come loose on full flex using spacers to reach 3 inches of lift cuz I used longer shocks that allowed that much drop. Remember the piece that keeps the coil in place is only about 4 or 4 1/2 inches long. If your just looking for lift, it works fine, if your playing hard, I recommend doing it right.