Kerrdog

I have been reading other threads about longarms, and other fab jobs. Lots of stuff that can be done that adds efficiency to the Cherokee. I have also been PMing Rusty's over on JF. He commented that I don't need longarms at this point. Since this is NOT a radical ride, and it will be a DDer for awhile, I think I'll forego the LAs for a bit. I am concentrating on getting it level and driveable. I need to pull my 7 off the road for repairs, and I will be driving Fal's XJ for awhile.

Likely, I will make a TC drop from some 1" square tubing. I will be ordering some 6* shims Monday (as well as front springs). Anything wrong with the less expensive aluminum shims?

JRT1393

With that much lift I can about guarantee an SYE will be needed at some point. But for now, you can do a TC drop. I would suggest a 5 speed crossmember, it drops the TC by .75" without a loss in ground clearance

Kerrdog

Ironic! I have never seen an XJ with a manual. Virtually every single XJ around here, in the JY, is an auto. I have a very limited Jeep resource in used parts. I would love to have an AX15 in my 7!

JRT1393

Yeah from what I understand a 5 speed XJ is pretty rare. A buddy of mine has one, every once in awhile one will show up at pull a part around here. I've thought about doing a swap to my XJ

pittman71

Any updates? Hopefully parts have arrived!

Kerrdog

Funny you should ask...

Rusty's springs arrived yesterday. KUDOS to Rusty's for their blazing speed in delivering these parts (ordered Monday, rec'd Wednesday). The front coil springs are 6.5" and plenty beefy. I sure hope I chose correctly.

6* shims also arrived.

Soft 8 rims came Tuesday. COOL!!

I should have everything assembled this weekend (which is Friday/Saturday for me). Then we'll discover what else we need, like extended brake lines, shortening/lengthening the DS, etc, etc...

Can you guys give me a heads-up what to expect?

pittman71

Woohoo! Nothing like parts on your doorstep!

Sometimes you can just change the mounting point of the brake lines. But with the amount of lift you have you may extended ones.

I vote you throw on the rear wheels and tires to see how you like the stance. Then you will know if you chose correctly with the springs before you put them in. Alot of guys plan an inch or two more lift in the front compared to the rear. This levels it out nicely.

Looking forward to pics!

Kerrdog

We started to install the new 6.5" Rusty's coil springs on the front of Fallon's XJ today. It has not gone like the YouTube videos showed! I guess because the video showed a 3" spring going in. So I went and rented spring compressors, but they won't work! This set has the threaded rod going up inside the spring instead of two rods that clamp to the outside. There's no way to get the threaded rod OUT of the spring. The upper control arm is disconnected, the brake lines are disconnected, the driveshaft is disconnected, the shocks, draglink, swaybar... all disconnected. What else can I do? I'm thinking I am going to have to drop the whole front axle.

Help!

Pulled the wheels off my 7 and loaded up the new rims. Went to a friend's shop, and he swapped over all the tires. My 7 is on blocks, and the weather is becoming amazing here right now. I will miss riding topless this fall! Got a set of 15X8 5X5.5 available...

My house looks like white trash lives here! Mower is broken and at the shop. I am painting the van hood, and it got wet during the last rain. Broken down Cherokees... ai-yi-yi.

Tires going on the XJ.

Here are some random pics...

pittman71

Any other parts places you can "rent" from? A friend of mine did his springs a while back and the place her rented his had the type of compressors you need. Don't remember what parts place though.

Have you put the the rear tires on yet?

Weather was nice today here too. It will all come together for you. Just keep steady at it.

Kerrdog

Rear tires are on. Looks COOL! Picked up correct spring compressors, heading back out to the shop. Wifey has camera, so no pics yet...

Kerrdog

I had gotten the wrong style spring compressor, and it wouldn't work for this application. So I had to go get the correct set. Installing the coil springs was much easier, but it was still a chore! After all was said and done, the axle protrudes out, to the left, by several inches. Is this due to the trackbar?

If I disconnect the trackbar will the axle return to its normal position? How do I determine the length trackbar I need? I am thinking about cutting it, removing a portion of trackbar from the donor car, then welding it in to the proper length.

My front DS is now too long. Is this normal? It is currently disconnetced.

I love the stance, and I like how the tires look. It easily clears 33s. The attached pics are from my cell, as wifey took the camera today. Hope you can see the changes.

The Rusty's springs are the bomb! The service was fast and exceptional. The springs are all beef! I am looking forward to future business... if I ever have money again!

tssguy123

Yes, the axle is pulled to the left because of the track bar. There are adjustable track bars you can buy. The reason the front DS is too long is because you're using stock LCAs, so the axle is being pulled backwards.

pittman71

Looks good with the meaty wheels and tires!

Is it sitting pretty level, or still higher in rear?

As said above, adjustable trackbar, lca's and ds should be next on the list.

Unfortunately, more lift = more problems and $$

tssguy123

And probably a SYE.

Kerrdog

I was expecting SYE, but I had no real clue about LCAs and trackbar. I will do some research and see if I can find a "rule-of-thumb" for determining length of said parts. I'm wondering if I can make them??Thanks.

Sits pretty level. Maybe slightly higher in the rear, but it doesn't draw your eye. I think with gear in the back it will be perfect. Just gotta work out the LCAs and trackbar. Also have to install the shims under the springs, and remove the helper spring. I ran out of time over the weekend.

I appreciate ya'lls input. It's just what I need to hear. Thanks!