RE ZJ 3.5" or XJ 4.5" coils (heavy bumper)

[grizbait]

So here's my scenario - I've got a 99XJ with about 5" of lift in the rear. Currently the front coils are 3" coils with 1.75" coil spacers. Time to get full-length coils in the front.

I have an ABR bull bar, and now a winch on the front bumper, so that's probably around 180lbs additional weight I'd guess.

I want to be around 5" of lift and have the best ride I can given the weight up front.

I'm considering either the RE ZJ 3.5" coil springs (supposedly will hold the weight better) or the XJ 4.5" (which I'm told nets more than 4.5" - might be OK also)

Does anyone have experience with the 3.5" ZJ coil springs on an XJ? I would think being stiffer, they'd handle the load better, and net around 5".

Conversely - w/ the XJ 4.5" RE coil springs - anyone sag more than expected with a heavy bumper and winch?

 

[NorCalChris]

im pretty sure they are the same spring, but dont quote me. my coils are zj 4.5s, which are the xj 5.5s. same spring. my coils havent settled very much, over the past year. im on 35s and im around 6.5 inchs of lift with them. and they are stiffer then the tomkens i used to run, but the tomkens were supppppperrrrrr soft and rode amazing

 

[NorCalChris]

my bad. just checked the RE site. zj 3.5 RE 1341, xj 4.5 RE 1310. id go with the zj coil. i might be going down to there shop today, if i do ill ask them, but RE designs there coils and springs with the idea that you will be heavier then stock. (armor, bumpers, tools...blah blah.) so in that case you might be able to just run the 4.5s for the xj. and you should net 4.5 or even 5.

 

[justin_502]

I had RE coils and a winch, was too soft for me, I went with BDS lil more money but its a lot better ride! The spring had a higher spring rate then the RE and even looks much thicker. Rides good with the winch up front now.

 

[jdbwrx]

I have a pretty heavy front end between the bumper, winch and exo and I have a set of BDS coils that have worked out well. With 4.5" coils and 1" spacers, I am sitting around 5" of total lift. Even if you go with a longer spring, do not get a rate that is too soft.

 

[grizbait]

my bad. just checked the RE site. zj 3.5 RE 1341, xj 4.5 RE 1310. id go with the zj coil. i might be going down to there shop today, if i do ill ask them, but RE designs there coils and springs with the idea that you will be heavier then stock. (armor, bumpers, tools...blah blah.) so in that case you might be able to just run the 4.5s for the xj. and you should net 4.5 or even 5.

Ya - I think the 3.5 springs for the ZJ are supposed to be higher poundage (I thought like 240lbs). And the ZJ 4.5 and XJ 5.5 are the same spring though).

I'm just wondering what I'd net withe the 3.5" coils that are for a ZJ with the extra weight. If it's around 5" - and it rides better, then I'd go that route... I guess I could add a .75" spacer if I needed to.

 

[grizbait]

I have a pretty heavy front end between the bumper, winch and exo and I have a set of BDS coils that have worked out well. With 4.5" coils and 1" spacers, I am sitting around 5" of total lift. Even if you go with a longer spring, do not get a rate that is too soft.

So those were the RE springs too? I wonder how the RE 5.5" XJ coil springs would sit... and ride.

 

[jdbwrx]

So those were the RE springs too? I wonder how the RE 5.5" XJ coil springs would sit... and ride.

No, BDS.

 

[sunburned]

I've got a rigidco bumper and M8000 winch on an RE4.5 lift. In the front, I've got the RE 4.5" XJ springs and a 1.75" spacer with the stock spring isolator removed. In the back I've got the RE 3.5" leafs with the 1" RE shackle, plus a Detours tailbone and 32" spare on a steel wheel. Jeep sits totally level. I was worried about front sag when I added my winch, but it really didn't drop much, if at all.

 

[grizbait]

Having a tough time finding BDS coils for an XJ or ZJ... is this typically a spring from a different rig that is used in an XJ? Any links to a vendor you could through my way.

 

[grizbait]

I've got a rigidco bumper and M8000 winch on an RE4.5 lift. In the front, I've got the RE 4.5" XJ springs and a 1.75" spacer with the stock spring isolator removed. In the back I've got the RE 3.5" leafs with the 1" RE shackle, plus a Detours tailbone and 32" spare on a steel wheel. Jeep sits totally level. I was worried about front sag when I added my winch, but it really didn't drop much, if at all.

So you came out around 5" or so in the front? Does it handle well as a dd?

I would guess as far as the weight goes - this would probably be about the same set up I have in the front.

Would there be any disadvantage to getting the RE 5.5" springs, and no coil spacers? I suppose off-road it's more travel, but wondering about road handling... (pushing more on turns, etc.)

 

[jdbwrx]

Having a tough time finding BDS coils for an XJ or ZJ... is this typically a spring from a different rig that is used in an XJ? Any links to a vendor you could through my way.

www.bds-suspension.com

034452 84-01 Jeep XJ 4.5" Front Coils Springs $161.37

034453 ZJ Front 4.5" Coil Springs $161.37