WANTED - EMU leaf springs

[Shaggy-XJ]

Hey all, new to the site so I hope its okay to post this here, but I am looking to replace the stock leaf springs on my 98 XJ and would love to use the EMU cs034rb springs, which of course they don't make anymore. I'll probably have to go with the 33rb's, but if anyone has the 34's out there and aren't using them I'd be interested in taking them off your hands.

 

[MrSimon]

ARB still has them listed on their website .... that doesn't guarantee they are in stock, but it's worth a call.

http://store.arbusa.com/Old-Man-Emu-Leaf-Spring-CS034RB-P20965.aspx

 

[Rock2pus]

Without searching the web, which ones are these, exactly? I run the 2" lift , "heavy load" ones on my 01. Contrary to their website, I can tell you to get a set of adjustable shackles like a Clayton, because they will sag somewhat with hard use. Granted, I've been VERY hard on mine. I will agree that coupled with some monotube bilstein shocks, they are by far the nicest riding leaf springs I've ever experienced.
Rich
*edit*...to clear things up I should also mention that I've been running the same set for 7 years, so I'm not bashing them in any way, I love them and would use them again in a heartbeat

 

[Shaggy-XJ]

Without searching the web, which ones are these, exactly? I run the 2" lift , "heavy load" ones on my 01. Contrary to their website, I can tell you to get a set of adjustable shackles like a Clayton, because they will sag somewhat with hard use. Granted, I've been VERY hard on mine. I will agree that coupled with some monotube bilstein shocks, they are by far the nicest riding leaf springs I've ever experienced.
Rich
*edit*...to clear things up I should also mention that I've been running the same set for 7 years, so I'm not bashing them in any way, I love them and would use them again in a heartbeat

These are the "light duty" springs that they discontinued a couple of years ago that were supposed to provide a 2" lift. I could go with the cs033rb springs, but most people in the forums say they are getting as much as 4" of lift out of them, even though OME says its a 2 to 3" lift.

I'd like to stay with OME because everyone raves about their products, that and I'm looking at some OME shocks to match. I just bought the XJ a few months back (only 89k original miles!!) and wasn't quite ready to start all the suspension mods yet but the stock spring broke this week.

 

[Rock2pus]

The heavy load ones will settle a bit. Some people may be seeing higher lift numbers after installing them because of a little known factoid: ask them if theirs is a newer model Sport. They are 1" lower than say, a Classic or Limited. So when they put a 3" spring on, it actually will lift them 4". Springs are advertised based on the higher of the stock trim lines so they don't get accused of not delivering on their promised lift. Most people don't complain if they get more. ��

 

[Shaggy-XJ]

The heavy load ones will settle a bit. Some people may be seeing higher lift numbers after installing them because of a little known factoid: ask them if theirs is a newer model Sport. They are 1" lower than say, a Classic or Limited. So when they put a 3" spring on, it actually will lift them 4". Springs are advertised based on the higher of the stock trim lines so they don't get accused of not delivering on their promised lift. Most people don't complain if they get more. ��

Thanks! That would explain it. I guess since mine is a 98 Sport that would put me in that category and I should expect a 3" to 4" lift with the medium load springs that are advertised as a 2" to 3" lift. I may not go that route then, only because I want to stay under 3. My ideal would be a 2" lift, at least for now. I haven't looked at the heavy duty springs - assuming their pretty stiff and not as nice a ride. It's my DD and for future family camping trips towing a popup.

One question - my xj measures around 17" in the rear with the stock spring to the fender, does that still mean I'm lower than other models and can expect a higher lift?

 

[dan1977p]

I think 16.5" is the standard height at the bottom of the flares. You also have a lot of options if you use a shackle relocation box and different size shackles.

 

[Rock2pus]

I'm running the heavy load springs with bilstein 5100's, a Clayton adjustable shackle, and a bumper mounted 33" spare with about 80 pounds of assorted tools and recovery gear in the cargo area. That's really not a lot of added weight, all things considered. And it rides amazingly smooth. The emus use more but thinner springs in their packs, which is the right way to do it, imo. I wouldn't discount them, especially if you plan on towing. I've used Rubicon express leafs as well in the past. They were acceptable as to ride, actually quite good, just not as cushy as the emus. You don't have an awful lot of options trying to stay low ( I know this firsthand), and I don't like any setup that keeps the stock shackles regardless. Which leaves you with add a leafs or custom springs.

 

[Shaggy-XJ]

I'm running the heavy load springs with bilstein 5100's, a Clayton adjustable shackle, and a bumper mounted 33" spare with about 80 pounds of assorted tools and recovery gear in the cargo area. That's really not a lot of added weight, all things considered. And it rides amazingly smooth. The emus use more but thinner springs in their packs, which is the right way to do it, imo. I wouldn't discount them, especially if you plan on towing. I've used Rubicon express leafs as well in the past. They were acceptable as to ride, actually quite good, just not as cushy as the emus. You don't have an awful lot of options trying to stay low ( I know this firsthand), and I don't like any setup that keeps the stock shackles regardless. Which leaves you with add a leafs or custom springs.

I think I'll probably go with the Dorman leaf springs at this point, heard they can give up to a one inch lift and as you said, finding springs for the low end is very difficult. Planning to use the Clayton/JKS shackle that will add another one inch of lift to the set up. I wish I could find something a little more heavy duty for springs that don't lift more than one to two inches, but doesn't seem like there is anything out there. Thanks for all the help. My hope is still to end up with one to two inches of lift without having to deal with the transfer case, YSE, etc.

 

[RoyalXJ]

Ive been running 1.5" ranchos with great luck. Leafs are over 10 years old and have been on 4 different rigs. They are still in good shape.

 

[Shaggy-XJ]

Ive been running 1.5" ranchos with great luck. Leafs are over 10 years old and have been on 4 different rigs. They are still in good shape.

Haven't done much research on the Rancho's but sounds like they are worth a look. What year(s) rigs did you have them on and what kind of lift did you experience? Are they a good ride? I'll probably be 90 percent road - 10 percent dirt.

 

[RoyalXJ]

98,92,96 & now on my 97. Not sure what they netted new. They were on a buddies rig. I get 1.5" out of them now. They ride good but that will also depend on your shackle angle and shock. They are gonna ride even better soon.l am redoing everything with my rear suspension except my leafs. I beat the leafs pretty good on the rocks and i also daily drive them.

 

[Shaggy-XJ]

98,92,96 & now on my 97. Not sure what they netted new. They were on a buddies rig. I get 1.5" out of them now. They ride good but that will also depend on your shackle angle and shock. They are gonna ride even better soon.l am redoing everything with my rear suspension except my leafs. I beat the leafs pretty good on the rocks and i also daily drive them.

Thanks! Did you ever get any vibes with them? Not looking to do an SYE or TC drop at this point on my end. I'm looking to pair up the leaves with some new shackles and Emu N36 shocks I found on Craigslist. Putting them on my 98.

 

[RoyalXJ]

Never experienced vibration but i always used a sye with any lift over 2" . tc drops are no good. Im set at 3.5" right now with my leafs, shackles and relocation brackets.

 

[Rock2pus]

If you're looking to avoid doing the sye, I used a longer slip yoke that Rubicon Express used to sell, and I believe they still do. From what I recall, it was around 50 bucks and I used it on a rig with 4-1/2" lift daily driven and never had a problem.