Leaf spring question

[Zuul99]

So I want to put a Pro-comp Add-a-leaf to my '95 jeep Cherokee SE 2wd
(Yes 2wd, laugh now to get it out of your system), and this ADL should get me around 2in of lift. Do I need any hardware like u-bolts etc to do this or is my stock hardware okay?
p.s. if anyone has used this Adl or something similar I would like to see some pix (other 2wd are welcome ), oh and my axle is a Chrysler 8.25 if that helps anyone with the hard ware issue

 

[tbburg]

Need new center pins(the bolts that hold the leaf packs together, have a round head to engage the hole in the spring perch) The U-bolts should be long enough to cover the new leaf.

If you have more time then money, you might want to consider building a "bastard pack) with a main leaf from another XJ.
Here's a pretty good writeup:
http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com/home_brew_budget_boost.htm

 

[OVJeeper]

I had a procomp add a leaf in mine rode like crap and sagged after a couple years, recently built a bastard pack using a set of s-10 leafs much better ride now. But either way you probably in the least need new center bolts and should replace the u-bolts.

 

[Zuul99]

Thanks mate, now do most add-a-leafs sag? or should I go with a block set up or a full leaf, because i need at least 2in of lift because the monkey at the repair shop gave me ZJ springs

 

[kidarkitect]

Don't do blocks... That's the word on here anyway. I've seen a lot of pictures of broken leaves do to blocks. I've got zj springs with crown hd springs from quadratec and teraflex shackles. Do something like that or aal or bastard pack. Just my op

 

[xcm]

does adl mean add DA leaf? it should be AAL, add a leaf. even though "a's" usually get left out of acronyms....

the sag of an AAL isnt dangerous... what is dangerous is the axle wrap. i cant be any happier to be rid of mine, on loose dirt/rock hill climbs, my rear end was playing the bongo's.it rides much better now with a 3.5" pack, plus a 1.5" shackle.



2wd is fine, just dont think it's a crawler without front wheels doing werk. ive currently got a couple of 2wd's in the family, they do well =). drive carefully, and you can have fun. 2wd locked is the way to go for a fire road queen though, especially in the desert.

are you only doing the AAL? or anything for the front too? are you trying to fix an existing sagging pack? throwing an AAL at a 20 year old pack will not end well.

 

[Zuul99]

Sorry about the "adl" thing it was suppose to be AAL although Add Da leaf does sound kind or cool. but the thing with blocks is that ford and Chevy trucks used to have blocks from the factory and they were of good size so i hear. And if these blocks are such a safety hazard and cause things like axle warp and in some cases them sliding off the axle in some cases how come they have not been banned?

 

[RCP Phx]

Sorry about the "adl" thing it was suppose to be AAL although Add Da leaf does sound kind or cool. but the thing with blocks is that ford and Chevy trucks used to have blocks from the factory and they were of good size so i hear. And if these blocks are such a safety hazard and cause things like axle warp and in some cases them sliding off the axle in some cases how come they have not been banned?

Totally different animal as they have much more rigid spring packs!
"Just say no to blocks"!

 

[Zuul99]

what do you mean by a totally different animal? are blocks a pain long run?

 

[tbburg]

Blocks give more leverage to the axle by moving the axle further away from the spring. This contributed to axle-wrap. Axle wrap is a condition where, when you apply power(step on the gas), instead of pushing the car forward, the axle rotates under the car, bending the spring into an "S" shape. Usually, when this happens, you will get shaking from the rear as the springs quickly load and unload while the axle whips back and forth under the spring. The more power you apply, the worse it is. Over time(in some cases, very short time) The leaf packs will loose arch(go flat), the springs will bend up in the front, and eventually, leaves start to break.

As far as AALs: I don't have any experience with Pro-comps leaves, but generally, the AALs are really thick springs. When you put them in the pack, it greatly increases spring rate. Also, the XJ spring packs are marginally short to begin with. Adding arch(that's what an AAL does) shortens the leaf even more, causing an increased shackle angle. both conditions(high spring rate, vertical shackle)cause harsh ride.
There are 2 kinds of in-the-pack AALs: short and long(or full-length). The short AAL goes on the bottom of the pack, closest to the axle or one leaf up. The full length goes against the main spring(the leaf with the spring eyes on it) If you have a choice, get the full length. Because of the comparatively high spring rate of the AAL compaired to the other leaves, the short leaf will cause the longer leaves above it to bend down around the end of the AAL. The full length spring won't ride much better, but will more evenly distribute load over the rest of the leaves in the pack. It'll last longer.

 

[carves]

Short, thick, harsh riding causing AAL's are fine .... If they are used for what they are meant to be used for ..... beefing up the rear suspension so you can hang a big boat, trailer or caravan on the back ... or filling up the rear cargo area with concrete blocks.

As daily driver suspension they are generally useless and uncomfortable.


X 2 on avoiding blocks.


If you want height and ride .... A new leaf pack - set to give you the lift you want .... or a made up pack using a suitable main spring cut to fit as an extra leaf is normally the best choice.

 

[Zuul99]

Blocks give more leverage to the axle by moving the axle further away from the spring. This contributed to axle-wrap. Axle wrap is a condition where, when you apply power(step on the gas), instead of pushing the car forward, the axle rotates under the car, bending the spring into an "S" shape. Usually, when this happens, you will get shaking from the rear as the springs quickly load and unload while the axle whips back and forth under the spring. The more power you apply, the worse it is. Over time(in some cases, very short time) The leaf packs will loose arch(go flat), the springs will bend up in the front, and eventually, leaves start to break.

As far as AALs: I don't have any experience with Pro-comps leaves, but generally, the AALs are really thick springs. When you put them in the pack, it greatly increases spring rate. Also, the XJ spring packs are marginally short to begin with. Adding arch(that's what an AAL does) shortens the leaf even more, causing an increased shackle angle. both conditions(high spring rate, vertical shackle)cause harsh ride.
There are 2 kinds of in-the-pack AALs: short and long(or full-length). The short AAL goes on the bottom of the pack, closest to the axle or one leaf up. The full length goes against the main spring(the leaf with the spring eyes on it) If you have a choice, get the full length. Because of the comparatively high spring rate of the AAL compaired to the other leaves, the short leaf will cause the longer leaves above it to bend down around the end of the AAL. The full length spring won't ride much better, but will more evenly distribute load over the rest of the leaves in the pack. It'll last longer.

Holy Cow dude you know a lot that is truly the best answer I've seen thanks.The plan is for it to be a daily driver. Would new shocks help with the spring rate? or to keep the stock ride should I just use a Shackle?

 

[Builderxyz]

If it was me i would build a xj bastard pack.if thats noy in the cards for you i would buy a old man emu full length AAL, this is the only one i would use personaly.OME Add-a-Leaf Springs to a Cherokee XJ. and u can buy a 1"lift shackle also or a 1" all steel block like this Add a Leafs, Zero Rate for 4x4 Suspensions from Offroad Design this is what i use.thier is absolutely nothing wrong with a small all steel block. rockyroad outfitters sells all steel blocks in 1/2" increments as mentioned in OME AAL article.both are easy safe ways to get the amount of lift your looking for.. enjoy the xj..

 

[tbburg]

Holy Cow dude you know a lot that is truly the best answer I've seen thanks.

Thanks, I do OK when I'm hitting on all eight. (Feel blessed, it doesn't happen often :rof: usually more like,... four, or maybe three)

Would new shocks help with the spring rate? or to keep the stock ride should I just use a Shackle?

Shocks don't affect spring rate.
New shocks will improve ride(greatly improve ride if your current shocks are shot/damaged)
'Nothing wrong with a longer shackle, but there's a problem: You only get about 1/2 the extra length in lift. So if you get a two inch extended shackle(2 inches longer then stock), it'll only lift the vehicle about one inch. To get a full 2" of lift from shackles alone, you end up with ridiculously long shackles, which turn out to be rock-magnets.
If you do get a shackle, get one that can take a factory rubber bushing. Don't run poly bushings on the street. You will be disappointed.
I got the impression you are trying to match the rear to a set of GC-V8 coil springs up front?
How much were you planning to spend on the AALs? Might want to post in the AZ chapter and see if anyone close to you has a set of springs they are parting with: either lift springs or a set of stockers to make your own.
Link to the AZ chapter forum: http://www.naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=172

 

[Zuul99]

The AAL are Pro-comp and they were about $34.99, shipping is free because I planed to pick them up at 4wheel parts and as I said earlier they had no hardware so the total came to around $45-$50 I believe.

 

[CharlesS]

The AAL are Pro-comp and they were about $34.99, shipping is free because I planed to pick them up at 4wheel parts and as I said earlier they had no hardware so the total came to around $45-$50 I believe.

When I started my lift process I too started with the ProComp AAL when I didnt know any better.... YOU WILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH THIS SETUP !!!
As others have posted... the ride is harsh, they dont flex worth a darn, even if the advertised lift height is 3"; you only will get 2" at best and they will not last very long.
If I were you I would save my money and look for a used set of leaf springs.
Check the forums FOR SALE section; they turn up regularly.

Charles

 

[muddypunk]

we made a bastard pack from xj leafs and got 3.3/4 lift from it and we used grade 8 allen bolts for the center pins 5 years no problem ford 3/4 ton van springs was the first lift for the front around 3.1/2 lil stiff but work great on washboarded roads and street I put 150 bucks it to my first lift right about 3.3/4 inches

 

[Zuul99]

Yeah Began to notice that too, so pretty much the best bet is to do a bastard pack. But my leafs are not sagging they are sitting at 17.25in (I believe I read that the rear ride height is 17.0in don't know were the other .25 in came from) with a full tank of gas. So does this make making a bastard pack easier and cheaper?