Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Suspension and Steering Upgrades for Stock Height XJ

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-23-2020, 08:40 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
AlSpeciale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 244
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default Suspension and Steering Upgrades for Stock Height XJ

Hey guys, I'm looking for some recommendations. I want to keep my XJ as close to stock suspension geometry as possible in order to have a low center of gravity and keep the mpg as is. However, I want to be able to haul loads, gear, people, rooftop tent, ect. I also want the best steering available. The biggest tire size I will go is the 235 75r 15, which is what I have now. I'm wondering are there any packages that upgrade the suspension without giving too much of a lift? The up country package would be ideal, does anyone know if that package is still available? As for steering, I'm going to put a zj tie rod. Anything else I can do to get better steering? Steering stabilizer? Track bar? Drag links?

Thanks
Al
Old 02-23-2020, 10:29 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
4.3L XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 6,588
Received 493 Likes on 422 Posts
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
Default

A ZJ tie rod is plenty of upgrade for a stock rig
Old 02-23-2020, 11:04 PM
  #3  
Member
Thread Starter
 
AlSpeciale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 244
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
A ZJ tie rod is plenty of upgrade for a stock rig
Thanks. is it possible to replicate the up country suspension with old man emu components?
Old 02-24-2020, 10:54 AM
  #4  
Old fart with a wrench
 
dave1123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Posts: 14,398
Received 728 Likes on 632 Posts
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Default

If you ever have problems with the steering box, keep this in mind; https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/du...upgrade-3805/
Old 02-24-2020, 11:41 AM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
4.3L XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 6,588
Received 493 Likes on 422 Posts
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
Default

Originally Posted by AlSpeciale
Thanks. is it possible to replicate the up country suspension with old man emu components?
Yes, Old Man Emu is good stuff
Old 02-24-2020, 12:14 PM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
EZEARL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: WV
Posts: 5,676
Received 298 Likes on 253 Posts
Year: '96
Model: Cherokee
Default

Maybe PM some of these guys:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/rep...-301-a-255460/

Also I found this recently at amazon concerning the MOOG CC782 coils:
Question:
Since the top coils sag onto each other, what is an alternative to match the dorman 929-301 leaf springs?  Since the top coils sag onto each other, what is an alternative to match the dorman 929-301 leaf springs?
Answer:
Variable rate springs are designed with coils that are spaced at varying distances. It is not uncommon the coils closer to one another touch when installed. Moog coil springs are cataloged and designed to restore non-modified vehicles to factory ride height and ride quality. Thank you

Technical Specialist, DRiV
Manufacturer Manufacturer
· January 30, 2020
Old 02-25-2020, 12:50 PM
  #7  
Member
 
TylerA23's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

I did the Up country suspension like mentioned above/

Crown Heavy Duty leafs
stock crown shackles
Moog CC782 coils
3/4” (.75”) spacer

I went with the recommended- stock/cheap Monroe shocks for front and back.

Id also recommend the the full hardware kit from forum member @Tubur. His kit was amazing and saved a lot of time.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f74/fu...e-kits-248156/

Side note... start pb blasting things now! Haha
Old 02-25-2020, 06:29 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
BlueRidgeMark's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Posts: 7,964
Received 956 Likes on 771 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by TylerA23
Side note... start pb blasting things now! Haha
Oooohhh yeah!


BTW, the leaf spring bolts are Loctited from the factory. You must use a torch to get the out, or you are likely to break something. Happens all the time.
Old 02-25-2020, 07:07 PM
  #9  
Junior Member
 
Nfadude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 72
Received 15 Likes on 11 Posts
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

My build is similar, a mild "up country " look that serve as a competent daily and camping rig. I went with Rancho 1.5 springs and ome 930 coils. I'm running 30x9.5 bfgs but here's a photo of my setup with 235/75 15s

Old 02-25-2020, 09:41 PM
  #10  
IJM
CF Veteran
 
IJM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: District of Columbia
Posts: 1,330
Received 285 Likes on 215 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Nfadude
My build is similar, a mild "up country " look that serve as a competent daily and camping rig. I went with Rancho 1.5 springs and ome 930 coils. I'm running 30x9.5 bfgs but here's a photo of my setup with 235/75 15s
Looks good! Do you mean OME 2930 coils?
Old 02-26-2020, 03:49 AM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
Nfadude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 72
Received 15 Likes on 11 Posts
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

Originally Posted by IJM
Looks good! Do you mean OME 2930 coils?
Of course 2930
Old 02-26-2020, 05:04 AM
  #12  
CF Veteran
 
Dave51's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 3,285
Received 372 Likes on 332 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by EZEARL
Also I found this recently at amazon concerning the MOOG CC782 coils:
Question:
Since the top coils sag onto each other, what is an alternative to match the dorman 929-301 leaf springs?
Answer:
Variable rate springs are designed with coils that are spaced at varying distances. It is not uncommon the coils closer to one another touch when installed. Moog coil springs are cataloged and designed to restore non-modified vehicles to factory ride height and ride quality. Thank you

Technical Specialist, DRiV
Manufacturer · January 30, 2020
A concern of the CC782 coils is that they can be a little rackety. Mine clacked a little for a while but then it disappeared and never resurfaced.

That said, I can't be sure that it was the 782's clacking because I had to rebuild the spring perches and the stabilizer bracket ended up nearly touching the coil on the passenger side. Tried to confirm where the noise was coming from by sticking rubber pads between the suspected areas of coil contact and that seemed to help.

Anyway, the noise is gone, I'm happy with the performance and you can't beat the price.
Old 02-26-2020, 07:02 AM
  #13  
Member
Thread Starter
 
AlSpeciale's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 244
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

Would old man emu shocks work with the moog upcountry package specified above?
Old 02-26-2020, 07:22 AM
  #14  
CF Veteran
 
EZEARL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: WV
Posts: 5,676
Received 298 Likes on 253 Posts
Year: '96
Model: Cherokee
Default

A lot of us here with the Up Country suspension use red or black (red being the stiffer of the two) oem shocks from a JK Rubicon. Here are the specs for them which you can use to compare to the OME shocks. They can be had on E-Bay cheap if you check frequently.
Lenghts:
Collapsed= 14.75"
Extended= 22.75"
Old 02-29-2020, 05:22 AM
  #15  
CF Veteran
 
97grand4.0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: syracuse ny
Posts: 2,800
Received 179 Likes on 166 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 4.0, new lifters valve job with new springs and exhaust valves, preload set with shims
Default

Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
A ZJ tie rod is plenty of upgrade for a stock rig
This is the tie rod upgrade from the 8 cyl zj? Are there known weakness problems with the stock xj setup? wondering


Quick Reply: Suspension and Steering Upgrades for Stock Height XJ



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:55 PM.