What would you do...?

[Biernuts]

I'm in the process of reviving an old XJ. I should have the motor up and running soon (I hope...).

The entire brake system is shot (the drums and rotors will be replaced along with all the bearings, MC...etc)

So here's my next dilema...the suspension.
The shocks are a no brainer but the rear leafs are completely shot and the front coils aren't much better.

So since I need to replace the springs ANYWAY...Might a 3.5" susp. lift just be a few more $ and hours at this point?


Thanks

 

[bajacalal]

Since youre brakes and suspension are shot why not hit the junkyards (pick&pull your part of possible) for a ZJ rear disk brake conversion. While youre there, you can consider suspensions, whether youre going with stock, lifted or consider pulling larger springs from another vehicle (certain older ford fullsize gives you 2in I believe) and grab some better xj leafs.

 

[Biernuts]

Thanks! That's good info.
I wonder about using other non- 89 XJ parts that may be bolt-on, or at least not require a ton of fabrication.

 

[bajacalal]

Well thats what I'd do anyway, if it were my xj. Now, an 89 it might have the Dana 35 rear which isin't that well favored. You may consider an axle swap. The ZJ discs are on a D35 C with different suspension setup need slight modification to install them on a Chrysler 8 1/4. The Ford 8.8 axle w/ discs (from explorers) is an option, depends on what youre building.

Anyway, I'm hoping the others will chime in on the "non-OEM xj parts" modifications, I don't have much experience there. Direct your questions about this stuff to others.

I just recommend salvage yards for certain things as I have had good luck there...Do you have the Ecology chain nearby? I shop there, but they don't often have much jeep stuff.

 

[sidriptide]

a 3.5" lift on 30s or 31s is a good combination and still very streetable. and as you seem to know already it will basically be the same amount of labor as replacing stock springs and a few $ invested into it. i'd say a Dana 35 will be perfectly suitable for you currently intended purposes. when you get the wheelin bug and want lockers and stuff then re-evaluate your axle choices then. that being said, a chryslaer 8.25" rear axle swap from a post-97 XJ with matching gears would be a good strong choice rather than spending the $$ to make an 8.8 work.. and there is a write-up floating around on the ZJ rear disk swap.. (on MADXJ.com maybe?)