It is extremely difficult to build a trailrig on an XJ platform that can accomodate a decent size tire, on a moderate amount of lift THAT HAS BALANCE. For me, I found it extremely difficult to incorporate the standard leaf springs that gave the lift height I needed, while keeping the spring rate in check. Most pictures of xj's you will see crossed-up, you'll notice in most cases that the rear leaf springs will dictate the attitude of the body....not good IMHO. I believe that the rear end is the most difficult challenge. There may be way to build 12" travel coilovers for the front, but try fitting those in the back without some serious cutting mods! I went to great lengths to design and build a BALANCED suspension system on an xj platform, that gave me 14" of travel....6" of compression and 8" of droop is the formula that works best for me in both front and rear. After a couple rounds of body mods, this is whats left:
not exactly an xj anymore is it? This set-up is almost exactly the same as another naxja members (one ton) however, he used coil overs (don't know the specs) Cost, timing, and an interest in designing a 1/4 elip system prevented me from experimenting with coil overs, which would have been the most direct route, and offered almsot instant gratification!
I would take a guess, and place xj-owners, those who would be coil over candidates, into a category of suspension "tuners" whose priorities would include (in no particular order) 12-14 of suspension travel (maybe 17 for those without sheet metal in the way!) wanting a bit more droop than compression...60%? ..........33-35-37-38-39" tires on moderate lift maybe 5-8" who aren't afraid to trim fenders.....who would be willing to partake in more serious metal removal mods to make the rear work? who knows? Cost is always a concern, its what prevented me from going in that direction.....I don't know what you do with that one, I figured its a pay to play sorta deal....
I don't know where bumpstops come into play, I never used them, but there's one or a few speed bandits in here that like to spank-jeep across the flats after rock crawling all day long.....
I wouldn't mind seeing if there were any "snubber" type products available to aid in some kind of lift height adjustment thingy for my 1/4 elip set-up.....
hope this helps.
cool to see a reputable company like SwayAway taking interest in our forum and club.