Help me pick leafs
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Lifting isn't inhibited so much by the front sway bar, but perhaps the sway bar links, and certainly the track bar. I could have gotten by with the stock SB links. I just wanted QDs so I made some. I still have the stock track bar and brake lines.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
I don't know how to link to another thread, so here's what I posted regarding the front coils and spacers I used in concert with the Crown HD leaf springs:
And another post listing part numbers:
The Crown coils I posted about earlier are stock height. The spacers are what gave me lift. Mine (part# 52001125) are considered heavy duty, but they make some that are considered light duty (part#52001122). I've seen good reviews for the HD springs, and I am happy with them. Online pricing seems to be around $50 each. Sometimes you can get 15% off that thru JC Whitney. I got them directly from the Crown retail store at the recommendation from the guys that work there.
I'll measure the spacer and estimate ride height with the spacer removed a bit later. I'll post results here.
MEASUREMENT RESULTS: Spacer measures at 1.5" tall. Measurement from the center of the wheel to the lower, outer edge of the fender flare is 20". Remove the spacer, the same measurement would then be 18.5"
I hope this helps.
I'll measure the spacer and estimate ride height with the spacer removed a bit later. I'll post results here.
MEASUREMENT RESULTS: Spacer measures at 1.5" tall. Measurement from the center of the wheel to the lower, outer edge of the fender flare is 20". Remove the spacer, the same measurement would then be 18.5"
I hope this helps.
I got 2.5" from where I was with old, sagging springs. Look at my "after" numbers, measured from the center of the wheel to the bottom outside edge of the fender flare. Compare to your existing height measured in the same manner.
This is a combo put together by one of the guys at the Crown retail location in Canton, MA. It's not an official "kit", it was just recommended by one of the guys there when I asked for an inexpensive lift alternative.
Leaf Spring, Rear #4886186 2ea
Bushing, Leaf Spring #52000503 2ea
Bushing, Leaf Spring #52000504 2ea
Spring, Coil, Front #52001125 2ea
U-bolt #52004010 4ea (for 8.25 rear end)
Nut, Flanged Hex #6502697 8ea
No part number given for the front coil spacers
I'll recommend you call the retail shop in Canton, MA to get individual prices, but I paid $327 for everything, including tax.
UPDATE: I talked to the guys at the Crown retail shop and they said they can't ship out of state. If you can't pick it up you may consider ordering from one of their distributors.
Thanks
This is a combo put together by one of the guys at the Crown retail location in Canton, MA. It's not an official "kit", it was just recommended by one of the guys there when I asked for an inexpensive lift alternative.
Leaf Spring, Rear #4886186 2ea
Bushing, Leaf Spring #52000503 2ea
Bushing, Leaf Spring #52000504 2ea
Spring, Coil, Front #52001125 2ea
U-bolt #52004010 4ea (for 8.25 rear end)
Nut, Flanged Hex #6502697 8ea
No part number given for the front coil spacers
I'll recommend you call the retail shop in Canton, MA to get individual prices, but I paid $327 for everything, including tax.
UPDATE: I talked to the guys at the Crown retail shop and they said they can't ship out of state. If you can't pick it up you may consider ordering from one of their distributors.
Thanks
Last edited by ElMartillo; Mar 5, 2017 at 08:26 AM.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 494
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
very nice, Martillo!
im thinking of getting a lift and a roof basket with the money i make selling the wrecked XJ and im thinking this is how i'll do it. seems to me to be easier and better in the long run to just replace the whole leaf pack with a "stock" sort of option as opposed to just getting a Rusty's AAL kit
So you did keep the stock shocks? did upcountries have their own shock in a longer style?
im thinking of getting a lift and a roof basket with the money i make selling the wrecked XJ and im thinking this is how i'll do it. seems to me to be easier and better in the long run to just replace the whole leaf pack with a "stock" sort of option as opposed to just getting a Rusty's AAL kit
So you did keep the stock shocks? did upcountries have their own shock in a longer style?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
very nice, Martillo!
im thinking of getting a lift and a roof basket with the money i make selling the wrecked XJ and im thinking this is how i'll do it. seems to me to be easier and better in the long run to just replace the whole leaf pack with a "stock" sort of option as opposed to just getting a Rusty's AAL kit
So you did keep the stock shocks? did upcountries have their own shock in a longer style?
im thinking of getting a lift and a roof basket with the money i make selling the wrecked XJ and im thinking this is how i'll do it. seems to me to be easier and better in the long run to just replace the whole leaf pack with a "stock" sort of option as opposed to just getting a Rusty's AAL kit
So you did keep the stock shocks? did upcountries have their own shock in a longer style?
I'm a fan of Rusty's, but I think AALs aren't a good long term solution.
I didn't change shocks, and imagine what I have is for stock height. I plan to upgrade the shocks on my '89 that came with the Rusty's 3" advanced kit I put on it, so at that point I'll put the Rusty's shocks on this one as an upgrade.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 26
From: North canaan Connecticut
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Just a suggestion but the best way to measure how much lift you have over stock would be measuring from the axle tube to bottom of frame. I for one would like to know how much over stock height all of these replacement springs end up.
Here are front measurements I copied and pasted from another forum
With Standard or Soft Ride Suspension, vertical distance should be 17 cm (6-3/4 inches) plus or minus 13 mm (1/2 inch). With Heavy Duty Suspension, vertical distance should be 20 cm (7-3/4 inches) plus or minus 13 mm (1/2 inch).
And rear
With Standard or Soft Ride Suspension, vertical distance should be 15 cm (6 inches) plus or minus 13 mm (1/2 inch). With Heavy Duty Suspension, vertical distance should be 18 cm (7 inches) plus or minus 13 mm (1/2 inch).
Here are front measurements I copied and pasted from another forum
With Standard or Soft Ride Suspension, vertical distance should be 17 cm (6-3/4 inches) plus or minus 13 mm (1/2 inch). With Heavy Duty Suspension, vertical distance should be 20 cm (7-3/4 inches) plus or minus 13 mm (1/2 inch).
And rear
With Standard or Soft Ride Suspension, vertical distance should be 15 cm (6 inches) plus or minus 13 mm (1/2 inch). With Heavy Duty Suspension, vertical distance should be 18 cm (7 inches) plus or minus 13 mm (1/2 inch).
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 26
From: North canaan Connecticut
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
These were taken from an early FSM. So newer models may vary. I have a 98 that's right around 7 inches in the front. And an 01 that's about an inch lower. I m assuming the 01 springs are sagging an inch. The leafs on it are reverse bent they're so shot.
I have some 2" lift coils for the 98 so when I do the swap the stock could are going in the 01 and I'll need to purchase leafs for it. So I know the front will be and inch higher but at stock height, and I need to figure out where the rear will be sitting. I'm still leaning heavily toward general springs. Probably the middle weight rating. $99 is a fair price for USA made springs with bushings pre installed.
I have some 2" lift coils for the 98 so when I do the swap the stock could are going in the 01 and I'll need to purchase leafs for it. So I know the front will be and inch higher but at stock height, and I need to figure out where the rear will be sitting. I'm still leaning heavily toward general springs. Probably the middle weight rating. $99 is a fair price for USA made springs with bushings pre installed.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 494
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
My 96 XJ Classic had "AHGP Spring Special Group" as an option, is that what it is? maybe its just been a while since i rode in it but the two seem to ride the same
Also, it seems that MOOG's CC782 coils are an option for upcountry springs up front. one review said they still needed a 3/4 spacer, but maybe he just meant the isolator?
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 4
From: WV
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Just curious as to why HD springs are wanted unless you are doing a lot of towin or carry everything under the sun with you. IMHO soft ride springs / leafs would be preferable, then add or use longer shackles with relocators to get your ride height. I'm all about the ride!
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Just curious as to why HD springs are wanted unless you are doing a lot of towin or carry everything under the sun with you. IMHO soft ride springs / leafs would be preferable, then add or use longer shackles with relocators to get your ride height. I'm all about the ride!
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 494
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Just curious as to why HD springs are wanted unless you are doing a lot of towin or carry everything under the sun with you. IMHO soft ride springs / leafs would be preferable, then add or use longer shackles with relocators to get your ride height. I'm all about the ride!
Plus, for me, id rather jut let the springs give me the lift.
Now, my brother's 92 toyota P/U rides like a darned tank! i think it would be hard to get the XJ as stiff as that thing is