bobpat

I swear I did several searches on this but no luck with my question (btw this is one long thread) I am still looking for a xj but have lots of info learned so my search is more focused, any way question can u run 31.5 with no lift but doing the fender cut and tuck? I like the idea more and more of staying low but flexy.

StuckBuck

Stuffing big tires on a stock height jeep will not give you any flex. All it will do will give you less travel till your tires stuff the fender.

Jaster343

Anyone running the metalcloak double adjustable aluminum control arms? Are they worth the money?

Basslicks

Well... the lift has been on for a few weeks now. I LOVE the ride height. No complaints there. I removed the flat overload leaf from the pack because it was COMPLETELY impeding articulation in the rear. So I lost 1/2" (thickness of the leaf) from that, but it's still plenty of tire clearance and height. Sitting on 3 very arched springs now. Articulates much better now.... in the rear only.

The front springs feel like I took the springs out of a super duty and put them in my Jeep.

Honestly, I miss the ride and flex quality of my stock suspension. There was no bouncy reaction to the springs, they just "rolled" over the contours of the land. All I really wanted was the jeep to be taller. I genuinely feel I'm close to achieving that in the rear. So I'm pretty set there. What I want now is to achieve that in the front... because what I have in the front is literally, a spring. You roll over something and it bounces the front up instead of just allowing the axle to travel up on over the object.

I'm considering the RE 3.5" coils.
I know they're good coils and that they are quality made. That's not the issue. How close are they to stock ride quality and suspension characteristics?

chipmaker

I run the 4.5" RE coils and they ride better than stock. Don't know if the spring rate is the same as the 3.5" though.


Edit: Just noticed you linked the 4.5" if those are the ones you want they're awesome.


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cbs_24

What setup do you have?

Basslicks

3.5" Tuff Country. It's a cheapy lift thati scored for free. Gets it up in the air but I definitely wouldn't have paid money for it.

Ha. Didn't pay attention to that. Good to know though.

RedJeepster1

Here is my xj when I was running 31's on stock suspension. For anyone who says it won't flex, you didn't cut enough and push it hard enough. It won't flex like something with aftermarket components, but if your willing to cut for clearance and disconnect the sway bars, you can go more places than you would think. This picture has sway bars still hooked up and bone stock suspension.



And yes it did rub in the rear, the front did not as long as the swaybar was connected. Rear springs were sagged about an inch. Front was sagged about 1/4" from stock, measured from the "frame" to the axle.



I have since upgraded to 33's and 1.5" of lift

RickJames Bish

Wanted to thank everyone for their input but also wanted to post my findings in case anyone else has the issue.

It was my engine mount, which explains why it happened under load without the front driveshaft installed. I took it up a hill and my son walked along front driver side tire, which is where it seemed to be coming. Couldn't tell anything so I lifted the hood and let him in the drivers seat while I walked outside. Found you could not always hear it outside even though it was very audible inside. I peaked over into engine compartment and had him gas on it a little and saw the engine move quite a bit. Replaced both in about an hour for $38.

chipmaker

Hells yeah! Glad you got it figured out.

StuckBuck

I wasn't saying it wont flex, I'm just saying it wont flex very well. I works I guess but I wouldn't consider it "low and flexy" like PO wanted.

I would suggest if you want to stay "low and flexy" and still be a decent offroad rig then get these:

-A three inch lift that replaces your control arms.
-Adjustable track bar
-Sway bar quick disconnects
-31 inch tires

NewKindOfClown

Exactly. Low Center of Gravity (LCoG) builds are so much more than "Look, these big tires fit under a little lift!" You need downtravel, long travel shocks, skid plates, and quite a bit of fab.

Yes, a stock Cherokee does well off road, but there's so much more that can be attained with proper modifications

RedJeepster1

I could agree with that. It gets the job done, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be better. I am on 1.5" and 33's now and have about 5" of uptravel. My next upgrade will be JK Rubi shocks to help with the down travel. With stock shocks, it is severely limited. Also looking into adjustable lowers if I keep the Jeep long enough. Staying low definitely has its benefits. Especially if on a college budget.

RickJames Bish

So does anyone make a somewhat all inclusive under chassis protection package or is it basically individual parts purchased ? I started pricing some parts but it got high really fast.

NewKindOfClown

Don't bother with JK Rubi shocks. You won't get much out of them. Disco your shocks and swaybar, flex and measure each corner, and order shocks that meet your dimensions