Alternate Rear Spring Tech

[whitfimb]

I am very interested in beeing a rolling test bed for XJ Home Grown Rear Spring mods. I am looking to refab the front (rear) spring mount to accomidate an alternate spring (Ford Chev Toy, Isuzu ect.). As to not just run the Xj main leaf. My original main leaves are ruined from short AAL's and a 17 year old with a lead foot. Me adding some lift and big tires isn't gonna help.

I have some experience in fabbing in alternate rear leaf springs on Toyotas, and Samurai's with great sucess. I would never redrilled the center hole on a leaf pack, thought I have heard of others who have. I understand the drive shaft / penion angle issues and will addresss them as best I can thru front mount (of rear spring ) height and shackle legnth (No shims). As for centering the axle, I might move it rearward about 1" to give a little more rear door clearence (I've got A 4 dr) depending on how the tires fit. I will try to avoid this to keep from having to go with a custom or extended Drive shaft. I'd like to go 33's -35's on 4" - 6". Yes I'll be trimming it up a little... :thumbup:

As for the exact model of Spring I'm open for suggestions.

I'm thinking the lightest Full Size Springs I can find, 70's Ford F-100 short bed, Bronco, Blazer, all with No over loads Or maybe the 4x4 ext cab Toyota Tacoma with over loads (because I have a free set off of a 96's in the Garage), Or Early 90's Isuzu Trooper Or Amigo. If any one has any advice, criticism, or pointers just let me know. Which rear spring would you use. :farmer:

Michael

 

[red87cherokee]

I used an old AAL that I had laying around that I bought from JC Whitney for my 1970 F100 pickup. It was advertised to give 1-1/2 to 2 inches of lift on the pickup, I got over 3-1/2 on the XJ. It is really firm, but much better than the saggy original springs. BTW they have not dropped any in lift height in over a year.

Here's some other ideas, re: Dakota spring packs:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4208

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=384187&highlight=dakota+springs

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=396018&highlight=dakota+springs

 

[roXJeepr]

You may want to keep it in the family and use your XJ's cousin's packs. The MJ's main leaf is about 5 inches longer than the XJ and still posesses good articulation. I'm not sure which models, but full size chevy's ( I believe the newer ones) have loooooong main leaves, like 63" or something. Good luck in your search and project.