athenscj5

Just got back from a raod trip through the Rockies, the Black hills, and the Badlands in the XJ. I knew before the trip I needed to replace the suspension. I am not ready to buy and install the lift yet. My thought was to replace the sagging leaf springs(almost inverted on the front side) with factory replacement heavy duty leaf springs and later on doing an add-a-leaf with these new springs. Adding to that new shocks that will allow me to use them now with no lift and also later once I have my lift ( I am thinking th RE 3.5"). Do springs with that much travel exist? Does anyone know which ones or how much travel I will need to accomplish this or is it possible?

93XJRay

i imagine you could use some type of a 3.5" lift shock. just like the ones you get for the lift kit. i think it only matters the size once its lifted, for example you cant use stock shocks on a 3.5" lift because theyre not long enough, but if you wanted more travel, you could put 4.5" shocks in it... get what im saying? i dont think you would have any issues.. someone can correct me if im wrong...

athenscj5

OK, so the shock length is more for the maximum travel than for the minimum travel and ride height.

Does the replacement HD leaf springs and an AAL later down the road sound like a bad idea? I really don't like the AAL on worn out springs, but i imagine on new springs it isn't as bad of an idea. Besides I have to do something, 2000+ miles through CO, WY, ans SD made it obvious those springs have to go.