x91j

ive been thinking very long and hard about this. ive searched and searched and searched, ive found that one website where he does f150 coils and dakota leaf packs for for inches but he doesnt say how he arranges them. anyways i was thinking about doing v8 zj coil springs and 2.25 spacers for the front and then im trying to figure out what will give me 4 in the rear?

do you think v8 zj coils and 2.25in spacer and the stock isolator will give me 4inches upfront?

xjmarc

If they are brand new, maybe for a while. Most give about an inch so you'd only get about 3-3.5". As for the rear I've used S-10 leaf packs. I used the top leaf and cut off the eyes and put it under the stock top leaf. I used the ZR2 springs and got about 3". At 4" plan on some lower control arms at least.

x91j

can i get away with 32s on 3-3.5? i had 3.5 inches on my zj with 32s and had plenty of room

littleredXJ

no such thing as a 4 inch budget boost (if you want a jeep that doesn't drive like ****). You WILL run into driveline angle and allignment issues that will cost money to correct. The actual lift hight is easy to get, it's all the other stuff to make it work that costs money.

mdcmn7

There are two types of ZJ coils guys are using for lifts. The standard V8 coils seem to run in the 1-2 inch range depending on how old they are, and how much abuse they got. There was an up country package available with a longer spring that gave the ZJ another inch of lift. Someone on one of the other forums said they have him 2.5 inches of lift??

I just got a set of free ZJ coils, and I have a 97 dakota leaf pack that I am going to set up on my xj in the next week or two. I will post how it goes on the wifes bane build thread. My thread is a little weak so far, I think I need to make it a little better!! I will let ya know how much lift it gets me, but I am thinking it will be in the 3-4 inch range

I am noticing as I get into this "budget lift" that it really isnt all that "budget" I got free coils;

the leafs from the dakota cost around $45
U-bolts, center pins, bushings, shipping, paint $100
Shocks $175
Adj Track bar (stock was shot) $150
Disco's $50
T-case Drop $20

Holy crap that is over $500!!

Add that to stuff I havent found i need yet, time in the JY, time prepping the dakota pack, crap I break, I still have 30' tires, will I need an SYE, bla bla bla.

I am just sayin, look at some of the kits that are out there first before you commit to a BB.

Of course there is something awesome about building it yourself

x91j

its 2wd so i dont have worry about the tcase and stuff. as far as ride quality. its a freaking jeep for god sake

mdcmn7

well, if you are 2wd, then you may as well pull a transfer case and front axle while you are at it

xjmarc

Not without cutting fenders. The ZJ has larger fender wells. I ran 31s on mine stock and 33s with a 3" lift. If the 32s are an AT you might get away with it but they will rub especially if you use factory control arms because they will move the tire back towards the rear of the front fender and pinch weld.

x91j

I'm going to use 2 stock isolaters, v8 coils and a 2.25 inch spacer for the front. In the rear I'm going to bastard pack it. Its a DD prolly won't see off road.

Cherockee

Does anyone know if there is any difference with the front coils from a 5.9L GC rather than the 5.2- Are they the same coils?

xjmarc

If it's a DD you are going to need lower control arms otherwise the steering is going to be sketchy due to camber (or caster I get them confused).

x91j

There's a guy on here with 5.5 inches of lift and his is fine.

xjmarc

I'd like to see it. Not only will his steering be off but his tires will be all in the back of the front fenders.

TheJerm

I got 3.5" for about 200 bucks

rusty's 3" coils - $100 (really 3.5" and i think the 4.5" ones are $130)
bastard pack - s10 packs for $45+ like $15 for hardware
JK shocks - $20

Did my own alignment and thats it. Put about 5K miles or so on it and have been saving up money for trackbar, LCA's, shackles/spacers to get ~4-4.5" and better tires since then

Gee oh Dee

I'm still trying to wrap my head around why anyone would do this to a 2wd Cherokee that "prolly won't see off road."

Seems like alot of work to do to a perfectly fine truck.