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- Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ 1993 to 1998 Tires General Information and Specs
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All Lift & Tire questions go here!!!
Herp Derp Jerp
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Parham, ON
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
hey guys, I have been installing a bastard leaf spring pack from an s10 the past two days on and off on my 1993 cherokee, and have had zero problems until now. I've gotten one side completely put in and done, but on the driver side I've got the leaf springs bolted in but I can't get the axle to line up. The axle seems to be tilted to the left(towards front) a good 4 inches. And no matter what I do I can't get it to budge. I've connected ratchet straps and tried pulling it and I've even hooked up my other car to see if I could get it to move at all. But nothing is working and instead of the axle moving forward the entire jeep moves.(tires drag and everything). I was supposed to get the new tires on today but had to cancel because I couldn't get this figured out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Well first of all you need to get the axle hanging, supporting the XJ with jack stands by the frame rails.
How is one side 4" off? Did you put a leaf spring in backwards? No centering pins?
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Tennessee
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Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
that was my original thought, but it still didn't budge. Finally I found out the u joint at the front of the drive shaft was stuck/jammed due to the angle after the leaf springs. The s10 bastard pack is only supposed to achieve around 3.5 inches of lift but I am now stuck with 5 inches... does anyone have any experience with this pack and could maybe give me some advice as to which leaf I should remove to rid of the extra 2 inches or so. I think I would much rather go down to 3 inches so that I can match the front but also save myself some money from having to worry about sye or driveshaft extensions. Maybe one day in the future but not now. Thanks!
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Tennessee
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Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
No, I don't lick fish.
CF Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Northern New Mexico
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6 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I've been using the fender flare method since I found out about it years ago and it's usually spot on with the axle tube method..... but of course that is from original stock not sagging.
No, I don't lick fish.
Only problem with the fender flare method is - sheet metal bends and flexes and eventually knocks the flares out of square.... not so much with the rear flares, but the front flares for sure.
CF Veteran
I put a hold on some rims I ordered locally until I get some feed back on wheel backspacing. Their 15x7 w/4.25" b/s. I'll be running nothing bigger than 235/75's. Seen pics of some that just look out of proportion to me. Too wide a stance for tires so short and narrow. I've got other rims picked out with b/s of 4" and 3.75". So what y'all think.
Last edited by EZEARL; 07-23-2017 at 06:40 PM.
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
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165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by EZEARL
I put a hold on some rims I ordered locally until I get some feed back on wheel backspacing. Their 15x7 w/4.25" b/s. I'll be running nothing bigger than 235/75's and I'll have the Upcountry suspension in a few weeks. Seen pics of some that just look out of proportion to me. Too wide a stance for tires so short and narrow. I've got other rims picked out with b/s of 4" and 3.75". I trashed my last OEM steel wheel and finding another locally isn't an option. Took forever to find the last one. So what y'all think.
These are 235/75r15 on 15x8 with 3.75 backspacing. So the 4.25" backspacing would be about an inch narrower track than mine.
No, I don't lick fish.
Well 4" and 3.75" will be wider than the 4.25" backspacing. Attachment 303127Attachment 303128
These are 235/75r15 on 15x8 with 3.75 backspacing. So the 4.25" backspacing would be about an inch narrower track than mine.
These are 235/75r15 on 15x8 with 3.75 backspacing. So the 4.25" backspacing would be about an inch narrower track than mine.
CF Veteran
OK. Lower the number the farther out the tire sits. I just thought with 3.75" b/s they'd sit out farther than what the pics above show. Didn't know you could run 235's with 8" rims. What kind of differences would a 7" rim of equal backspace make (although I think all 7" I've seen only go down to 4")?
Last edited by EZEARL; 07-23-2017 at 06:41 PM.
No, I don't lick fish.
OK. Lower the number the farther out the tire sits. I just thought with 3.75" b/s they'd sit out farther than what the pics above show. I could live with that set up. Didn't know you could run 235's with 8" rims. What kind of differences would a 7" rim of equal backspace make (although I think all 7" I've seen only go down to 4")?
But yeah, all the 3.75"-4" backspacing is going to do is, move the tires from completely inside the wheel well to lining up with, or barely peaking out from, the fender flare.
This is a pic of my Jeep (many years ago) with 235/75r15's on American Racing 15x8 alloys with 3.75" backspacing (don't mind my saggy rear springs).
...and same tire size with 15x8 Pacer D-Windows w/ 4" backspacing.
The difference in track with is really pretty subtle. It doesn't start getting really super noticeable until you remove the fender flares and go wider in tire size...
Note - the above pic is still 15x8 wheels w/ 3.75" backspacing and NO wheel spacers.... but the tire size is 33x12.50r15 and no flares. Sticks out quite a bit from the body.
CF Veteran
Laws pretty strict around here when it comes to tires being outside the fenders/flares. If they can stand a 2x4 up against the tire and it's away from the fender/flare it's no good. So going by your pics 3.75" and 4" b/s won't cut it. Bottom pic is completely over the top. LOL
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by EZEARL
Laws pretty strict around here when it comes to tires being outside the fenders/flares. If they can stand a 2x4 up against the tire and it's away from the fender/flare it's no good. So going by your pics 3.75" and 4" b/s won't cut it. Bottom pic is completely over the top. LOL
Last edited by SatiricalHen; 07-22-2017 at 09:38 PM.