Gabriel wolf

I have a 1997 xj sport 4.0 with UC package currently at 324,986 miles and am in dire need of new rear leaf springs and 4 new shocks. Does anyone have recommendations (with links to sellers) on a combination of shocks and leaf springs to get her riding like new again?

I am not looking for extra lifts or anything fancy just back to original Upcountry height and performance. Please and thank you.

Gabriel wolf

okay well....I had to make a move so i went with Dorman 929-301 leaf springs and the in the front and back. I wanted to get the bilsteins but I just can't afford that right now.

Any comments if this was a good choice or did I blow it?

Gabriel wolf

crickets....

crabmushrooms5

I got dormans from advance auto. Not sure of model number but they came with the eye bushings. Don't think they are the correct height, maybe half inch lower than front. Drives me insane. Next move on suspension will be the old man emu 1.5" kit for me maybe 3". Just don't want to lose mpg or extend brake lines.

96 XJ County without the upcountry package.

Never give up searching

crabmushrooms5

Nice amount of miles. Keep it going!

Gabriel wolf

oh man..i knew i might have blown it. The specs on the Dormans I ordered say they are HD with 5.5" arch so I thought i was on the money possibly.

Gabriel wolf

.....hope....is....fading.......

DieselD

I just ordered those same Doorman leafs (well leaf, I only ordered one gonna get the other next week) anyways, I'm pretty sure they are replacement leafs for the upcountry package and should give about an inch of lift.

It may give you a bit of a rake if you front it old and saggy though. You could always throw in a 3/4" coil spacer if needed without any ill effect.

crabmushrooms5

Just checked advance auto and I have 929-301's. It's not a terrible thing but I kind of have ocd when it comes to things I do.

I did a lot of research before I even bought an XJ and luckily ended up with a white/tan 96 Country model, almost bought a red one I hate red, that is how bad I wanted an XJ.

I read that Country's are supposed to have a 1.5" lift over others and that they do not have a rear antisway bars in the rear. Mine has a rear antisway bar but I think it is because mine did not come with the "upcountry package". I think the upcountry package has a chrysler 4.10 8.25? Mine is d35. I think the upcountry also had tow hooks in the front? At least I got high pinion diffs instead of low pinion. I got real lucky with this jeep and I love it.

I can say they are definitely better than the "W" shaped sagging leafs I had and came with bushings.

929-301's are also the recommended leaf spring for the 96 XJ sport. sorry but you asked

I got sensa tracs too and I can't say anything bad about that except I had to tap new threads into the body from the old shock boltheads breaking off. PITA it was like the first thing I did to mine

lilgription

You may as well lift it and get some better quality while your at it. I went with the Zone 3"with leaf springs. Love it.. my$0.02

RegularGuy

congrats on those miles!

im still a bit fuzzy on the Upcountry springs myself though, so ill do the wise thing annd not comment. however i think that if the rearend ends u a little higher, a spacer up front would fix you up.

russellj

I installed the heavy duty springs from General spring in KC. I think they were 100 bucks, nice springs.

Gabriel wolf

Thanks for the input everyone! I will post an update on wednesday on how the dormans fit and include a definitive spec on replacements for anyone with the UC package in case anyone else needs to know in the future.

They should be arriving today. I ordered through Amazon so I believe I can return them if it doesn't work out right and go with one of your suggestions.

Gabriel wolf

Update: So I have found out that the Dorman 929-301's ARE NOT the right leaf springs for the Upcountry package on 1997 xj sports. I will loose 1.5 inches in the rear and my *** end will now sit lower than the front... Live and learn.

crabmushrooms5

Could always just get a rear shackle I suppose. Don't know what your rust seize situation is like.