I searched, but I didn't get quite the info I was looking for, so let's try this with a dedicated thread.

My original rear leaf springs are getting the usual sag with age (pretty much flat now), so I've been looking to replace them. I'm planning to go the heavy-duty route, partially because I wouldn't mind an extra inch of ride height in the rear and partly because I'll be doing some towing in the future.

I'm curious to hear your recommendations on the Doorman 929-301 leafs vs. the Crown Automotive 4886186AA leafs.

Doorman
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005VPS358...I361PNME9Z5VD5

Crown
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009X1YAZS...=IH5DSX56AL9YY

From what I can tell, these are pretty similar in that they both provide about 1" of lift above stock ride height, are stiffer than stock, and approximate what came with the Upcountry package. I'm leaning towards the Doormans simply because the bushings come already pressed in.

Any opinions on one vs. the other, particularly the stiffness (spring rate) and ride height?

 

I have a pair of dormans on mine and it raised mine about 2 inches. I like how the ride feels.

 

I also have the doormans.. Very good quality and very sturdy ride

 

I do a lot of towing with my Cherokee And my doormans don't sag at all with a trailer on

 

My crowns started sagging after a couple years.

 

Those doormans are OEM medium duty replacements, not HD. I have them on mine and they're great for not having to fight with the bushings, and the ride seems pretty good for leafs. Spring rate is something like 450lbs/in or whatever, whereas HD are 750. There's a chart somewhere with the numbers. Everything I read said the HD are pretty crashy unless your towing or hauling regularly.

 

^^^ That seems likens good compromise between increased towing performance and decent on and off road performance. Sounds like I'll go with the Doormans.

 

I have crowns, but a different part number that matched my XJ's originals. Been on for nearly 3 years and no sag yet. So far better than the originals, which were starting to sag when I bought the vehicle when it was 2 years old.

 

I really don't think the doorman 301s are considered heavy duty, despite what some of the reviewers have said about gaining ride height. My truck looks about as stock as it comes with them. They settled after couple of weeks.

If I were planning on towing something heavier than a motorcycle often I would have gotten the crown HD springs.

 

At the time I was on a limited budget and just wanted to fix the sagging back end. If I had known what I know now, I would have waited and gotten the OME 1.5" heavy duty all-around kit. Maybe someday...

 

Dormans on my stock 96, ride is good so far and no sag. They don't add any lift, but most people think they get something. What they are seeing is the difference between sagged old springs and new ones. I bought them over crown because the bushing was pre installed.

 

Haha, I just put the Dorman ones on my car last weekend. The only thing that I don't like at the moment is the amount of squeaking that I have. I've read a few different fixes, but for now I put some WD40 in between the places that I could reach and it's gotten rid of it for now. It will most likely come back but I might end up putting some WD on there until they break in a little bit. We'll see. If you're curious, here's my before and after. Overall I'm pretty darn happy with it. Really hard to believe that I was sagging that much on the old springs. I should also add this is with new bilstein shocks replacing my stock crap ones.

Before, when I had tools and stuff loaded up I would sit so low that I would contact the wheel well on anything more than a speed bump. I don't think that's going to happen now. I was also pleasantly surprised how easy it was to load and unload stuff from the rear of the car..I dont smack my head on the liftgate anymore