TwinTurboXj

Front Side Rear from all views

DWStiles

[QUOTE=sycoglitch;3128810]"


Then to you have to consider use. What "ride" one needs/finds tolerable in a mud/rock crawler and what one needs in a 25K mile/year daily driver at horses of totally different colors.
I'm trying to figure out what I need to get a setup that will correct the "sag", give a slight "raked" lift to clear 30/31 tires, and drive comfortably over the highway for long days/hours behind the wheel with occasional off road excursions and winter snow.
I'm guessing that 1.5 or 2" in in the front and 3" in the rear is all the lift I really need. A duplicate of the factory heavier deflection rear springs with one extra leaf added for the tools and stuff I normally carry might do it.

SteveMongr

What is interesting about BDS 7 leafs, the main leaf is actually 2 full leafs, not a full military-wrap but that is what they call it.
It improved my ride over the too soft 'Skyjacker Soft-Ride' (3 arched leafs and one flat overlaod leaf).

.Deleted original post, wrong rim size.

NewKindOfClown

[QUOTE=DWStiles;3130672]You're absolutely right about selecting spring configuration for its intended purpose, but I still contend that factory springs aren't durable enough for a Cherokee that sees trailers, heavy cargo, or offroad use. Even if you did use factory springs with an Add A Leaf, you now have the 3" lift (and all the weight) on one leaf in the pack. It'll wear out faster and compromise the spring rate engineering of the rest of the pack, which will deliver a harsh ride.

Bastard packs really shine when you use multiple leafs from the donor packs because they work together like the OEM springs used to. Multiple leafs will share the duties of creating arch and carrying weight, and they will generally last longer and deliver a smoother ride than by adding one donor leaf, which is equivalent to an aftermarket Add A Leaf. The problem with this is that adding multiple leafs will usually net more than your desired 3" of lift.

I suggest a Rubicon Express or Old Man Emu leaf pack if it's in your budget. If not, building a bastard pack with donor leafs may be your best bet. However, it may also require a good bit of trial and error to get it the way you want it.

sycoglitch

[QUOTE=NewKindOfClown;3130767]YESSSSSSSS.

And that's the problem. People dont do enough research before they lift their jeep. "I want to be 6.5" and you a Rough Country lift because its cheap." One year later, "I can't believe I wasted that money. Guys how can I get a better ride out of my jeep?"

So much goes into consideration in a lift. My current lift is Zone 3" Coils with an AAL bastard pack comprised of brand new (at the time) XJ leafs, and AAL and an XJ main put as the second leaf. I'm running a boomerang extended shackle and SR brackets. It's rides decent, flexes ok but that's because I don't have alot in the rear of my jeep. i can't wait to upgrade to a full leaf pack so I don't have to worry about leaf condition when I lug crap around. As for my lift, I hit trails maybe if in lucky once a month but jeep sees alot of on road use.

DWStiles

I like the idea of the "bastard" lift, but . . . . . . A) all our pic-n-pulls are gone and B) I wouldn't have a clue about what to match up.

I'll probably talk to the local commercial spring builder next week and see if/what they can do to make me a replica of the Heavier duty pac of the two on that list plus (745# deflection) plus a little more---maybe up to 800# plus some sort of an overload underneath. of course I have absolutely no clue what I'm really talking about VBG.

Waynerd

Looks like I'm jumping in at a good time. I'm planning my rear suspension redo. PO must have lifted it with the old worn out springs. It has 3 inch blocks and an AAL. The springs are shot and if not for the AAL they would be bent backward. So is it safe to assume the AAL IS a 3 inch? Also have extended shackles not sure how much they lift it. I want to buy a set of springs and remove at least the blocks and probably the AAL. Not sure if I should buy some 6 inch springs would like to try and match the front height as close as possible. Hard to tell front lift. Some unknown springs and 3 inch BB.

I would like it to ride as close to stock as possible. Have been looking at springs from http://www.generalspringkc.com
I like the idea of stock springs with blocks and shackles just because it would ride like stock. No heavy off-roading in the near future. Just trying to sort it out and would like to get it driving good so I can take it long distances and not feel like I'm in a rolling death machine. And the price of lifted springs isn't really that different from stockers.

WaywardTurtle

I just bought a 1998 Cherokee XJ and I've been looking around for information regarding a 3" lift for it. It's going to be my daily driver and I want it to look a little meaner. I've been shopping around for lift kits, but I'm not sure if I need any additional parts. Most of the kits include things like shocks and Add-A-Leaf, etc. so I was wondering if there was anything else I needed to buy to go with those parts included in most kits.

Dumajones

This will help>>https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/nk...8/#post3113317

WaywardTurtle

Thank you!

Dumajones

DWStiles

Today I went to the local Jeep dealer and gave them the VIN for my 96 2-door Cherk. they told me that it came with the standard (545# as i recall) springs. I had them give me the correct part number for the standard and also for the 700#+ heavy duty springs. they quoted me a little over 500$ for replacement standard set and close to 600$ for the HD set. I took the part numbers to a local business that is a commercial big truck parts repair and supply (Power Brake and Spring---probably most communities have a similar service for the commercial truck customers) They have been around at least 50 years serving the commercial vehicle market------but they also do spring stuff for other vehicles including jeeps. They quoted me about 550 to create a set of the HD+ plus an extra overload leaf, all bolts pins and clamps, plus a set of custom U-bolts. It will give about a 3 inch lift, have an added degree of weight capacity with out giving a harsh choppy highway ride. They can also make up custom shackles If I need to adjust the height even more, but they told me that any taller lift would necessitate brake line and shock changes etc. I forgot to ask about new rubber bushings, but that should be a pretty stock item. The new leafs should be in about a week form now and a couple days to get them assembled for me to pick up. I have a local suspension and muffler shop lined up to do the install at a very reasonable cost. I could DIY but it will be MUCH quicker and professionally done this way I'll try to get before and after pictures

4WD4EVER

FWIW, I've got the Rubicon Express 3.5" rear leafs on my '98 and they're a fraction of the price of your quote. Coupled with JKS HD shackles and Bilstein 5100's, it rides very smooth yet firm. The first week I had them on I loaded 480 lbs of concrete into the rear to try and break them in and I'll bet it didn't compress them more than an inch.

DWStiles

I know I could probably have saved money by shopping on line and mail order vendors. But that also adds freight and handling costs and if there are problems everything is long distance.
In addition I have made it a practice to support local businesses if possible. by working with a local spring builder I was able to sit down with their spring tech guy and discuss all the goals I had in mind. He had questions and I had questions and between us we were able to work out a pretty much custom package. We even went out in the parking lot and he slithers halfway under to look and measure.
I'm happy with the service and their guarantee policy. So while I may have saved some. I think I'm getting good value tailored to my specific needs

4WD4EVER

Understood DW.