Opinions wanted...

[MAKsXJ]

Currently i have a 2" spacer in the front and a 1.75" shackle in the rear of my 2001 XJ. Since i need to replace my rear leafs(because they are sagging) i am thinking about getting a 2.5" procomp leaf pack for the rear and getting my cousin's stock springs from his ZJ(currently not in use) for the front. that would put me at 3" in the front and about 4.25" in the rear. I also will replace my front lower control arms.

Q #1. Will the stock ZJ coil spring give an XJ an extra inch of lift like my cousin says it will?

Q #2. Is the 1.25" of lift difference going to look/operate funky?

Q #3. Would i need a t-case drop?

Q #4. -->IF I HAD TO<-- could i stack another 1" spacer on top of my 2" spacer? Or is that just a stupid and dangerous idea?

Note: I'm a college student so im on a budget.

All advice and opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

[5-90]

Just some scratch answers - someone with more experience than me will probably clarify what I've got to say..

1) They should - the stock ZJ springs usually have a slightly higher spring rate - especially the V8 springs.

2) 1.25" is no worse than a "rake" I've put on street cars - I wouldn't think it's a problem. It should actually help on the street with launches and handling under acceleration. That's what I'd called a "mild" rake back when I was building Road Warriors...

3) Difficult to answer this one - some say yes, some say no. I tend to play it save - so I'm going to say Yes.

4) Could you? Probably. Should you? No. Either find a 3" spacer, or get 3" springs somehow. I just can't trust stacked spacers - it's just as bad an idea as stacked blocks under the leaves. It's a lot cheaper overall to do it right - when you don't get in that accident because you didn't screw everything up.

Given a choice, any spacer should be solid steel (this includes blocks, if you absolutely have to use them!) so you don't have to worry about galvanic corrosion between steel and aluminum, or structural collapse of hollow shapes improperly loaded (ever see someone using square tube stock for leaf blocks? Brr....)

I can appreciate the "on a budget" thing - if it weren't for Financial Aid and the VA, I'd not be in school meself. I can't wait until I can afford parts...

I'm glad you're asking BEFORE you do some of these things - always a capital idea!

5-90

 

[MAKsXJ]

Thanks 5-90. I appreciate your input very much. I think im going to go ahead and get the 2.5" leafs and get my cousin's coil. 1.25" isnt that much of a difference especially when i have a full load in my jeep or im towing the jetski.

A lot of people viewed the post but didn't write. so that must mean they all agree with you 5-90 =)

 

[5-90]

Depends on who read it. I try to give good advice based on sound engineering and mechanics, but that doesn't mean I know everything (but I try - man, I try...)

Simply put, keep asking before you do something you don't know about, and you should go alright. Whatever it is, chances are, someone here has either done it or had to fix it after someone else did it. I'd guess there are about 300 man-years of XJ experience here - and that's a conservative guess. That's what first got me hooked into this place.

5-90