leaf spring help!!!!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L stock
so i am very confused on leaf springs! how are they measured and what vehicles can i pull them off of to help with my lift? i have a 89 cherokee and i want to know wat vehicles stock have a larger spring so i can swap it out on my cherokee to get a little lift or what size i need to buy?
any help is greatly appreciated!!
any help is greatly appreciated!!
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 495
Likes: 2
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L High Output
I don't know of any direct swaps, but you can use springs from an S10 or a Dakota to build a bastard pack. Basically using the XJ main leaf and all the subsequent leaves from the other leaf pack, sorta like a DIY add a leaf. Here's a decent writeup on how to build your own packs.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/s10-springs-bastard-pack-1380/
And here's another link to a well outlined budget lift that even includes ideas for the front suspension too...
http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...udget_Lift.htm
Hope this helps!
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/s10-springs-bastard-pack-1380/
And here's another link to a well outlined budget lift that even includes ideas for the front suspension too...
http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...udget_Lift.htm
Hope this helps!
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,989
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, WA.
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter RENIX I-6, DIY Cold Air Intake, 2.5 FM Exhaust, 3 Core Radiator
X 2 on using rear leafs from an S-10 or Dakota. You can also use front coils from a Ford F-150. Really rough ride but, will give an XJ 4 inches of lift.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 495
Likes: 2
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L High Output
The F-150 springs are the ones they used in the lunghd article, and they said they were very stiff too. Of course some V8 grand cherokee springs and a 2" spacer would net about the same amount of lift with a bit better ride. I've also heard that the Dakota leafs make for a slightly flexier, smoother riding bastard pack due to having about the same spring rate as the XJ springs do. Combine all this with some inexpensive (RC, Rustys, Pro-Comp) shocks and it's a heck of a good lift for very little money IMO!
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 495
Likes: 2
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L High Output
I'm pretty sure the colorado uses the same width rear leafs, but I'm not sure on the length or the spring rate.. If you can get them for free, might as well get them and do a little "experiment", then let us know how it goes.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L stock
o nice thanks for the tips guys that helps alot! so just to sum it all up i can pull the leafs from an s-10 and use some f-150 coils to get about 4in.? correct? wat year for the s-10s and f-150s?
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 413
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From: belleville il
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
what really matters is that the springs are the same with and make sure the doner springs come off a truck that had the spring under the axle because from what i understand that is where u really get ur lift from. i did an s10 pack and it worked great. good luck
I would use a set of ford t-bird coils instead of the f150 coils. That is what I have sitting in my back seat waiting to pick up a set of leafs. They will net about the same lift at the f150 with a WAY softer ride!! Plus they are variable rate coils which makes for a great on-road ride as well as great flex off-road.
Here is a write up about the setup:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6487279
If you find a dakota for the leafs take the rear brake line also - it will give you more travel length than a wrangler (about 5-6 inches instead of just 3)
Here is a write up about the setup:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6487279
If you find a dakota for the leafs take the rear brake line also - it will give you more travel length than a wrangler (about 5-6 inches instead of just 3)
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 495
Likes: 2
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L High Output
The years for the Ford springs are 65-79 F100 & F250, and 75-79 F-150. The grand cherokee springs won't give you the sam lift as the Ford springs will, so a spacer would be needed, but the ride would be much better. I have also heard of the T-bird springs working, definately worth a shot I'd say! And as for the leaves, I have always heard the Dakota packs ride better than the S-10 due to the Dakota packs having a nearly edentical spring rate to the XJ springs.
you can use any leaf springs that are 2.5" wide for lift.
spring under axle trucks will have more arched leaf springs providing more lift.
dodge durango leaf springs provide about 5" of lift over stock, but ride and flex terribly and you will need offset leaf spring perches because the leaf centering pin is a little off.
I have also heard to chevy blazer zr2 leaf springs bolting up and giving about 3.5" of lift
spring under axle trucks will have more arched leaf springs providing more lift.
dodge durango leaf springs provide about 5" of lift over stock, but ride and flex terribly and you will need offset leaf spring perches because the leaf centering pin is a little off.
I have also heard to chevy blazer zr2 leaf springs bolting up and giving about 3.5" of lift
Pretty much any year - just look for under axle leafs with little or no rust that are 2.5" wide. You will be cutting the eyes off the new leafs and adding them to the original leaf pack.


