? on RE 4.5 kit leaf springs

2001XJ

2001XJ

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Canton, MI
I plan on getting a Rubicon Express 4.5" lift with the full leaf packs in back, not the AAL's. However, I notice their leaf springs are only 3.5" and then they give you a 1" shackle to equal the 4.5" of lift. This could pose a problem if I ever wanted to add an inch or so to my lift. Since the kit is already using a 3.5" leaf spring plus the 1" shackle to achieve the height instead of just a 4.5" leaf spring, the option of adding an 1" shackle later down the road will not be feasible. I could add a block but I would rather not do that. Has anyone ordered one of their kits and bought 4.5" leaf springs from another company like Rusty's or Tomken machine? Would RE substitute 4.5" leaf springs into their RE 4.5" kit for me?

Thanks
2001xj
 
Couple things:
1. the 3.5" springs (I got just the 3.5" springs) sit at about 5.5" ~ 6" for me still!!! I guess I gotta get myself in gear and make a rear bumper or by one so that I weight that down a bit....

2. For flex you want to combine the shackle with the leafs. But yeah, if you're planning to go to taller lift not too long after go with the 4.5" springs. I don't think they would give you much trouble if you wanted to substitute. Btw, IIRC the kits used to come with just springs but they changed to this combo for the better flex.

3. Are you keeping in mind the vibes? and angles issue? You have a newer XJ and you WILL have to address that, especialy at 4.5" and especially since the 4.5" will be sitting WAY tall in the beggining (my leafs are in for close to a month with abotu 120 miles on them each day and I still can't get them to settle... maybe once I hook up the camping trailer to the XJ or maybe after Moab they will come down... or maybe not :D)
 
I agree with Kejtar 100% on this one!I originally just bought the springs when I did mine and it netted 5+".I did end up with longer shackles and a 3/4"poly up front to get the rear to flex better(Wow what a difference).As to "vibes" I can just say "good luck",been there done that!
 
I've GOT to have the freak Jeep...with the RE6130 (3.5" pack and 1" shackle) I ended up netting exactly 4.5" over stock measurements...21.5" from wheel center to lip of opening. I'd heard the same from everyone else though, saying that RE springs come out higher than advertised.
 
Yucca-Man said:
I've GOT to have the freak Jeep...with the RE6130 (3.5" pack and 1" shackle) I ended up netting exactly 4.5" over stock measurements...21.5" from wheel center to lip of opening. I'd heard the same from everyone else though, saying that RE springs come out higher than advertised.
Click to expand...

The last two XJ's we did the 6130 kit on(4door '99 and a 4 door '00) ended up at excactly 4.5 up front and 5" in the rear.

Dirk started suggesting .75" coil spacers with the 6130 lift and we followed suit.

then you have my rig...3.5" front coils with a 1.75" spacer...I sit at 5.5" up front with my ARB bullbar an Warn XD9000 LOL...

Out back I run the 3.5" leaf packs with a tera shackle for 5.5" of lift loaded up.
 
Thanks for the replies.....anyone else?

2001XJ
 
I friend of mine just contacted RE about this very subject... they told him that the reason they don't offer the 4.5" spring with the Re6130 is because other people have tried out that way and had nothing problems with that set up. The guy at RE didn't get into details about the problems, but his exact quote was " stay with what is tried and true". Also he recommended to get the 3/4" spacers for up front to even everything out.
 
My fav is when I get an email from someone all upset because their 4.5" lift kit only gave them...gulp...4.5" LOL.


I do understand their plight, but it's the princeple of the whole thing:D
 
JEONLYEP said:
Are you talking about relover shackles? Do they add two inches of lift?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Nope, non-revolver ...just 1.75 methinks
 
TOZOVR said:
My fav is when I get an email from someone all upset because their 4.5" lift kit only gave them...gulp...4.5" LOL.


I do understand their plight, but it's the princeple of the whole thing:D
Click to expand...

I have the RE1462's, with a Daystar shackle. So far I have measured 6.5" Very slight settling, I have had them now for 10 mos. , flexed them pretty good this summer so far: Rubicon, Ershim, Bald Mtn and next weekend Swamp Lk! :D
 
I have the RE 4.5" kit and when I ordered I asked for the 4.5" leaf springs (RE1462). I've been running this set up for a good year and a half with a 3/4" coil spacer to raise the front level with the rear. Initially got 6.5" from the leaf pack but now its at 5" and I generally have a lot of weight in the back. This is with the stock shackle and this is why its bad. It needs a longer shackle to allow the leaf pack to flex more. The way it is now, in the front I have mad flex but the rear is pretty sorry. A more balanced suspension front to rear is more ideal and would be more stable off-road I think. But it does work. The good thing is now that I want to upgrade to the 5.5" kit, I already have the leaf pack. :)

If you are planning to stay at 4.5" then go with the 3.5" leaf pack and extended shackle. If you think you might like the 4.5" leaf pack because you plan on going higher, then you might consider it, but keep in mind the issues I mentioned above.
 
Thanks for the replies.....again. It is helping me alot guys.

EricsXJ,

Yes, I am thinking I might go with another 1" or so of lift after I get the RE4.5 that is why this whole question came to mind. I thank you for your input and I think I will probably go with the 4.5 leafs in the back right off the bat. Even though there may be some problems....like others have had, I am assuming most of these problems stem from moderate to aggressive off-roading and during flex or whatever. Once mine is installed I will do offroading but it would mainly be two tracks...just dirt roads in the wilderness and some mild terrain. So I don't think I sould have the problems associated with using the 4.5 leafs on the RE4.5 kit. One I upgrade to add an inch or so, then I will add the spacers in front and shackles in the back.

thanks.....anyone else have anymore input?
 
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Friend John's rig we did today.

RE 6130 with 32x11.5 Dunlops

Today was an affirmation of why I hate doing Virgin Lifts...this was a 1995 and it's never been touched....nothing came off...we torched most off and sawzalled the rest LOL!!! This rig spend it's earlier life in NORTHERN (I mean REALLY NORTHERN) Maine...Man workin on my '99 that had had 6 different kits on it is such cake!!!!
 
What size tires are you trying to run, now and in the future?? Remember that the more lift you get from a typical set of leaf springs the more arch the leafs will have and the stiffer they will ride by default. Also, do you tow or carry heavy loads with your XJ on a regular basis?? I think that has a lot to do with what people are getting lift wise. I run a Rusty's 4.5" pack, with a 2.5" AAL and a 1" shackle, and I'm only getting a MAX of 5" of lift(sits dead even and I only have Rusty's 4.5" coils upfront). Then again I usually carry a full change of fluids(college life forces the back of the jeep to be my mobile garage), my hi-lift, and my tirecarrier/bumper with tire prolly weighs in close to 125#s. If i never carried stuff and had a stock bumper, I would prolly have 7" of lift like I should. Just something to think about. If you're not gonna ever carry stuff you might be just fine with the 3.5" springs and a 1" shackle. if you really need that extra inch you can always throw a 2" shackle in there. Just makes the springs easier to flex. Just some thing for you to consider. HTH

This is with 4.5" and 33s and bushwackers:
103-0331_AUT.JPG


Ary

P.S. The reason I was asking about the tire size is that you may find when you go up to 6" that you can't stand the ride anymore(I couldn't, and I didn't have money for long arms or drop brackets) so I dropped it back down to 4.5" and am still running 33s with no rubbing or other problems. Then again, I trimmed quite a bit. Depends on whether you're going for looks, functionality, or both. Nothing wrong with any of 'em, just helps make the decisions. Ok, "PS's" aren't supposed to be this long. I'll shutup now.
 
while every one is on the subject...i have a 3 inch lift with aal/s and am looking to go bigger. i was thinking an extened shackle and 1 inch blaock in the raer, with a spacer up front. does anyone think i'll be able to fit 32's with that setup??

or, i was looking through my quadratec magazine, and saw this tomken 2inch econo lift that came with a 2in spacer and 2 inch blocks?? i was also thinking about that. if anyone has any ideas let me know.
 
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