Sagging fairly new rear leaf, looking for solutions to help with load bearing
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Sagging fairly new rear leaf, looking for solutions to help with load bearing
First of all I've been reading through the forums here for a couple years now while I've been slowly maintaining and upgrading my rig. I can't thank you guys enough.
I installed new leaf springs about a year ago, and I'm starting to get a bit of sag. I keep a couple hundred pounds of tools in the cargo area in case of a random break down and I don't currently have any where else to store them. Anyway the springs in installed are HUSKY SPRING 97539 (97-539) rated at 745lbs. My rig is mostly stock, lift is stock. The only major changes I've added are accessories and a secondary external fuse block due to some wiring issues. I prefer to keep it at or close to stock ride height as this is my daily driver that I occasionally take off-road in my local rural hometown. I have been considering a 2" lift though.
I'm wondering what would be the best option to help increase load bearing. Should use a leaf helper kit, or something else. I'm somewhat familiar to making modifications, but still pretty new when it come a lot of lift and suspension mods outside most of the stock components.
I appreciate any feedback
I installed new leaf springs about a year ago, and I'm starting to get a bit of sag. I keep a couple hundred pounds of tools in the cargo area in case of a random break down and I don't currently have any where else to store them. Anyway the springs in installed are HUSKY SPRING 97539 (97-539) rated at 745lbs. My rig is mostly stock, lift is stock. The only major changes I've added are accessories and a secondary external fuse block due to some wiring issues. I prefer to keep it at or close to stock ride height as this is my daily driver that I occasionally take off-road in my local rural hometown. I have been considering a 2" lift though.
I'm wondering what would be the best option to help increase load bearing. Should use a leaf helper kit, or something else. I'm somewhat familiar to making modifications, but still pretty new when it come a lot of lift and suspension mods outside most of the stock components.
I appreciate any feedback
#2
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Santa Clarita California
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
If your looking for a 2 inch lift for the rear you can used something like this
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30444568680...3ABFBMiLX1rYlh
Pro comp says this about them ,Add-a-Leaf kits are the perfect solution when 1.5 in. - 2.5 in. of raised height is required. This strengthens the integrity of an existing leaf spring pack, which is helpful when trying to renew the spring due to age and heavy loads. ; Rear Add-A-Leaf Kit; Long; Boxed
Or there is this too
https://www.ebay.com/itm/25493467545...Bk9SR4q19a2JYQ
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30444568680...3ABFBMiLX1rYlh
Pro comp says this about them ,Add-a-Leaf kits are the perfect solution when 1.5 in. - 2.5 in. of raised height is required. This strengthens the integrity of an existing leaf spring pack, which is helpful when trying to renew the spring due to age and heavy loads. ; Rear Add-A-Leaf Kit; Long; Boxed
Or there is this too
https://www.ebay.com/itm/25493467545...Bk9SR4q19a2JYQ
The following users liked this post:
Jza Smack (11-06-2022)
#3
CF Veteran
Gas assist shocks maybe? I did that on my van, raised it up a bit nicely in all four corners. You may only need them in the rear?
#4
CF Veteran
I realize you just put out the cash for new springs and you want the cheapest option. However the sad truth is that quality control has gone south and manufacturing methods have changed since the prices dropped with the advent of the cheap Chinese lift kit. Instead of heating and forming and tempering the market has gone to cold rolled springs. Your spring has lost its temper and is a rabbit hole that will keep getting deeper as the spring continues to sag. You can try band aids like a a couple of air shocks, adding a leaf on one side etc but eventually you will be forced to replace the springs
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
I realize you just put out the cash for new springs and you want the cheapest option. However the sad truth is that quality control has gone south and manufacturing methods have changed since the prices dropped with the advent of the cheap Chinese lift kit. Instead of heating and forming and tempering the market has gone to cold rolled springs. Your spring has lost its temper and is a rabbit hole that will keep getting deeper as the spring continues to sag. You can try band aids like a a couple of air shocks, adding a leaf on one side etc but eventually you will be forced to replace the springs
#6
CF Veteran
Rubicon Express is usually pretty good stuff and I know they make at least some of their stuff in the USA
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
I've been looking at the Rubicon stuff for a while and considering going that route. In the end I think I'd like to install a 2" lift on the whole jeep. I probably wont be able to start that till next spring or summer. In the mean time, do you, or any other forum members know if leaf helper kits. Are any good for increasing the load bearing. Most if the part I get that are not performance parts, in get from RockAuto. They have a kit that's about $100 and seems pretty simple to install. Are these viable options to hold me over until I installed a full heavy or super duty lift kit. Or, are leaf helpers just a complete waste of time and money?
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#8
Newbie
Thread Starter
I don't know much about gas shocks. Are they relatively simple installs or do they need some kind of compressor to adjust the gas? I actually had my shocks replace shortly after I bought my jeep; maybe 3 years ago, and I question if the shop actually did the work or charged me for literally nothing. Its the only thing on my rig I haven't done myself.
#9
Newbie
Thread Starter
A separate question but related to Op. Could I use a 1.5" Lifted shock with the stock springs? It seems like it should be fine. But I did a google search but kept getting results for the reverse of what in asking or front end results.
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