Xj88

If you want OME in bigger lifts check out dpg offroad.

jeeperscreepers92

holy crap a regional mod. lol. first time i seen one of those.

ok. so if im at stock height. and i trim off my fugly flares how big of tires can i fit on it. stickin to my 15" rims with reasonable amount of flewx clearance

Lowrange2

35s

McGuinness

So I've got a 1985 Chevy s10 blazer with a 2.8 v6 and its knocking and I've been told I can use the leaf springs from the rear of it but does it require any real bad fab to get them to fit or what?

brdavis9

Thanks. I'd come across the 45 degree thing before.

That being understood, I wonder why the engineers didn't make it that way from the start? Was it just a matter of cost? Or am I missing something.

Money's an issue: it's always an issue LOL. I have to budget for new shocks, even. I don't mind saving up for stuff though, as necessary. And I'd rather do it right the first time ...especially if it saves me going back and doing it again a short time later. And it's not like the XJ has any serious problems: we drive it almost every day for errands and such (our jobs let us both work from home).

I can post a picture, but after reading your description of what to look for, I went out and actually paid attention to what I was looking at. The stock leaf springs are possibly flat, leaning toward de-arched (lower at the long ends)? The bottom leaf has a slight positive arch to it.

Am I correct in inferring the stock condition should be a kind of U-shape when viewed from the side? (Honestly, I dunno if I've heard that before. I thought flat was stock; and so these weren't all that bad. Guess not.) They are certainly not an upside down arch shape (they don't look "springy" or in a U shape).

If I'm just confusing your answer (wouldn't be the first time, lol), let me know and I'll get some pix of 'em to clear things up.

If I could use rear leaf springs off something else (I just started reading about bastard packs), any recommendations? I see Quadratech has factory springs at $75, HD at $99, and Old Man Emu (2 inch lift) at $120 (all in each). Since I don't care about lift, is the extra $90 for the Emu's the way to go? I assume I should go ahead with new bushings, and u-bolts at this time too? (I read someone saying that old u-bolts should always be replaced?)

And I guess I should ask: with new springs, do I even care about the relocation brackets (well, "as much")? Or should I do that too, even so, now, just because of the work to do it later would be easier to do it as part of replacing the springs?

Thanks. I'll just plan on a pick-n-pull run then, and grab coils & tie rod (making sure it's a V8 ZJ).

I'm not sure I understand this? Would the shackles need replaced (in addition to being relocated>?

Thanks!

jeeperscreepers92

lol i have nevber heard of such a small v6. my camry had a 3.0 v6 and even then it was barely a v6... lol i just messin with ya
they might fit.
try this thread
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bud...herokee-58797/
most people stick with 90s s10s. but its maybe worth a try.

Lyferxb9s

Ok I will save for the SYE and then add the extra lift. can I use extended shackles and a 1'' spacer for up front with my current lift?

NewKindOfClown

Wasn't the Chevy V6 in '86 XJs a 2.8L?

xj_maniac_newb

Yes, Yesss it was.

BNJeepsta

Any leaf spring that is 2.5" wide will work. Just gotta cut them down if they are too long

JerrytheJeep

In order for the springs to do their job they need to be able to move a bit as they contract and expand, that's why the shackle is there. they designed it for a 45° angle. But over time the springs deteriorate and don't contract or expand very much, so they dont ride very well and they put the shackle out of wack. Oem springs should be just fine if you aren't looking into lifting it any higher, they'll ride a he'll of a lot better I'm sure. Zj coils will give you an extra inch up front, and this will give your xj a "reverse rake" which is just the front sitting higher than the rear, so be aware.

What I would do in your position:
Take a pic of your leaf springs, get a few well trained eyes to see if they still have juice. Get one of your shackle as well, from the side so we can see the angle.
The next step would probably be new springs, depending on the condition yours are in. Then I would wait until the new leaves are in place before going anywhere. That will tell you if you need a shackle fix or more lift in the front to level it out. Keep the questions coming, someone else may have the same situation.

chrispack63

rather than reading all 800 pages I figured i'd just post new. I'm currently sitting on 32x11.50 inch wide tires on some d window rims with spacers that like to loosen up on me, that the prevoius owner had on here. what i'm trying to figure out if i can achieve is getting the tires as close to tucking into the stock fender flares as possible. I've been pulled over a couple times for that and its getting sickening. looking at picking up another set of d windows and would like to keep it under 400 if possible. i was looking at the ones on serious offroad with 3.75 back spacing.

BNJeepsta

3.75 will stick out past the flares. What is the backspacing on the wheels you have now? Why not just ditch the spacers?

Lowrange2

Should be no problem.

3.75 bs sits nice.

96xjclassic

Jegs has some d-window knock offs for 45 bucks each. They offer a few different backspacing options also. If you can, i would try to remove the spacers first.