I have a stock 1996 Country 4x4. Put new factory replacement shocks on it not long ago. I haul around a lot of tools and junk, tow a little, and my rear is sagging pretty bad. I'm also running slightly taller tires. I need to upgrade my leaf springs.

What are my options? I have a 1996 donor XJ with good leaf springs. I could swap those. Or, can I just add a leaf or a few to my existing set? Or should I look to Quadratec for their medium duty new leaf springs?

I'm not looking to "lift" at this time. I just need a little more rear oomph.

 

I, for the past year, continuously haul around 150-200 lbs. in the rear of my XJ. I have a stock leaf pack with AAL's. Miles on the packs as well as the AAL's are unknown, I got them used.

 

With a donor vehicle (I have one too), I'd take the good springs, bust the other set apart and use them to make a bastard pack. Cut off the eyes on the main spring and put it under the good top spring and see how that sits. It's what I'm going to do soon myself.

 

I plan on just buying new Dorman OEM leaf springs. I like new parts. Everything is cleaner and easier to maintain.

If you aren't planning on getting a lift, buying OEM new ones from eBay or Rock Auto will do you fine.

I did that with my old XJ and the ride quality was greatly improved.

 

The OEM Dorman springs from Rockauto are $195 a pair, including ground shipping. That's what I'm doing. Gotta be better than the saggy situation I've got going on now.

 

The dorman springs are a great deal. I got about 1.5" lift from mine. I also carry alot of tools and they have not sagged in 35K over 1.5 years.

Ron

 

I've got the Crown HD leafs. They sit about 1-1.5" over stock height, after settling.

I think I paid $180 in-store for them.

 

I used Chevy S10 leafs to make a bastard pack by swapping the bottom leafs and retaining my top one. Try swapping one leaf each side?

 

The only Dorman springs I see on RockAuto.com are DORMAN Part # 929301*Heavy Duty with Bushings, $87.79 each before shipping. Is this the leaf spring you guys are talking about? If so, the "heavy duty" part isn't a ride killer?

 

I went with some RE springs a year ago, and all the hauling they are still sitting like the day I put them in