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Zone 3" full spring lift question

b00001

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Colorado
Hello all!!

My '01 has stock springs which are sagged out and she drives down the road like a boat. Thought I would replace with a full coil/leaf spring kit of about 3 inches and call it a day. Bang for the buck, I have been leaning towards the Zone kit but I have 2 issues, both concerning ride quality. While I do not want it to ride down the road like a wallowing boat, I do not want it to ride down the road like a stiff, jarring train car either.

Per Zone, the spring rates are 240lb/inch for the front coils and 263lb/inch on the leaf springs. Vs roughly 150lb/inch stock. That seems to be a HUGE difference in stiffness just in the springs which would give me the impression of an equally stiff/jarring ride.

On top of that, I have read where upon installation of the new leaf packs, your shackle ends up at about 90* vs the stock 45* angle. This adds even more rigidity to the system.

Having not installed a Zone lift on an XJ nor experiencing the ride of this lift, I was hoping to get some FACTS from those of you who have this lift.

(This is a stock XJ and I do not plan on adding HD bumpers/winch at this time.)

Thank you so much for your info in advance!!
 
Your choice of shocks will have greater effect upon the ride quality than the brand of leaf spring or the shackle angle. The Control Arm angles after the lift will have a greater effect upon the rider quality than the brand of coil spring you choose. Many people make the shackle angle thing a bigger deal than it really is.

My 3.5 RE lift rode very nicely with the stock shackles.


Read this >> https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1148036



From a recent spring thread:

stock coil springs are 180lbs per inch (for comparison)
IRO 3” 200lbs per inch -(verified)https://www.ironrockoffroad.com/prod...l-springs.html
RE1300 (Cherokee) 3.5” 240lbs per inch https://www.naxja.org/forum/archive/...t-1090144.html
RE 1341 (Grand Cherokee) 3.5” 150lbs per inch - ignore figure (can’t find supporting documentation)
Rustys 3” 150lbs per inch - https://comancheclub.com/topic/19121...ring-any-good/
Rustys 3” HD 180lbs per inch (verified) - https://www.rustysoffroad.com/rusty-...-hd-front.html
BDS 3” 240lbs per inch - https://northeastoverland.forumotion...-for-jeep-guys
 
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Thank you Tim, I will give that thread a read as well. I have been reading threads from all the forums I can find for a decent 3" lift. OME was my first choice, been looking at Rocky Road but they only offer a "2 to 3 inch lift" or the 4 inch lift. Then by the time I tack on shipping, it is just way out of my price range. Anywhere else to source OME?

Thank you again!
 
OME - Dirk at DPG Offroad. Also, there is a vendor KOLAK who I think sells OME. I have dealt with both. Both are good with their advice. The newer OME rear springs, are a dual rate. They are suppose to be soft, until they contact a helper spring. I did get a 3-1/2 set from DPG. I just haven't installed it yet. Also, OME rears do not come with bushings.
I do run on Bilstien 5100's, RC rear springs and Pro Comp fronts. Its a bit stiff ride. Bilstein does make a 4300, that is suppose to be softer. Also, I think OME changed their shocks. The newer ones are suppose to be a bit stiffer. I do have a set, but never installed them. I few XJ acquisitions over the past few months, makes the transfer of parts an issue.
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Some people like ZONE lift kits. That thread reference was the first I heard of negative review. I was looking at the 3.5 springs to replace my RC 4.5's. I did see some in person, that I think were ZONE. They looked good. They had friction pads. RC ( Rough Country) does not.
Also, Iron Rock and Ironman 4X4 Fabrication are good to deal with. I do have Rustys', CORE and JKS control arms. Mine are old Rustys and they change their design. The CORE one I have are the top ones, to replace the Rusty's. They have 1/4 inch brackets. Metal Cloak does too. I'd make sure if purchasing control arm to check that. I haven't measure my JKS ones.
On shocks I really can't advise much. I am doing a 2 inch lift. I went with KYB Mono MAX for the front. Then some over stock 2" shocks from IRON Rock. They look to be Doetsch. Iron Rock does sell Doetsch.
 
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