bambam0417

Hey everybody
My leaf springs arent looking to good so I want to replace them. I was thinking of a couple options and would like to get some input. I have a 98 stock hight and everything is original with the suspention. My main use for it is a spare, hunting, putt around town, camping, and snow vehicle(since I am required to come to work no matter how bad the weather is).

My first option: Replace with standard height leafs and shackles from jcwhitney. Now if I do this should I just anticipate cutting out the bolts? I hear it is a common problem with the bolt rusting/seizing into the leaf spring sleave. Also where would I get replacement bolts? Dealer item?

My second option: I was throwing around the idea of adding a 2" budget boost. Obviously spacers up front but the back I was thinking shackles or bastard packs. If I do this Im leaning towards bastard packs just because I wont have to mess with the leaf spring bolts. My concern with this is if I put the dakota or s10 leafs under a weak main leaf would the whole thing eventurally start to sag again?

Tools and automotive repair experiance is nothing new to me. So any input or other options anybody has done I would appreciate it. Thanks!

j8benson

on my xj/xj bastard pack the main leaf from donor (cut just where it starts to bend) staightened out my saggy main. pretty sure it'll help your main leaf out and give u some lift.

Joe Green

I got heavy duty Crown leafs from Quadratec.
They are not stiffer, they just have a 5th leaf for towing.
They add 2" of height over stock & they are $99 each.
The standard rate springs are only $75, $50 less for a pair.
My total for shackles, bushings, U-bolts & HDsprings was under $400 shipped.
You can get HD coils for the front to even it out for ~$160.
My two cents. I really like the value vs "lift kits".

bambam0417

This sounds like a pretty good option. I was looking at one website they had standard duty medium duty and heavy duty. I just forget if this was on the jcwhitney site or somewhere else. but ill have to check out quadratec to see what they have. If I could get leafs with the extra 2" in it that would be nice.

Joe Green

IDK where to buy the bolts. I know u gotta cut them most of the time. I'll check my FSM for bolt specs. Plenty of ppl on here know this stuff. I gave a good shop $275 for cutting the old bolts, pressing the bushings and installing the springs. They had a bunch of rust on their floor from my old springs & hardware. lol...
I don't recall them mentioning obtaining bolts.
These guys tried to find my issue that continues to elude me. They wouldn't charge me w/o finding something to fix. I got my 235/57/15 tires & had them install them springs to give them some business since I don't have all the gear required. All you need is some kind of saw that I can't remember the name of right now. Good luck & enjoy your truck.

Joe Green

I noticed the 3 grades.
The medium duty packs on Q'tec are $150.
Pricing is based on demand and MD is a rare request.
A HD pack is a real suspension instead of wedging your parts farther from the ground and only $100.
I'm up to a quarter's worth now...

bambam0417

how long have you been running the HD springs for?

ProudXjOwner

You could do what I did and get some air shocks from AZ, been using them for about 2 years and still work awsome

Joe Green

I've had them on for 2 weeks now. I have 10 year old shocks that are within their mileage limit & they are working just fine with the new springs, btw.

Joe Green

The write up in the tutorial/how to section will give you all the info you'll need to remove/install, including sources for the bolts & what saw to use.
Rock Auto has the bolts for $5 each.

Joe Green

Here's my mostly stock '97 Country with HD packs in the rear.
HD coils are 1/2" taller than stock, which will even mine out since my front coils are almost 15 years old.

Scott_Sport99

I have the HD leaves also, ride nice and raised it up a touch. Get the HD coils also..mine is raked because I used stock ..gonna change that soon.

# for the springs http://www.quadratec.com/products/pr...0707&submit=Go

Joe Green

Mine's raked, too.
Doing HD coils soon.

bambam0417

Thanks guys for all the info and the bonus of pictures! I think Im going to go with the HD rear springs, New stock height shackles, budget boost spacers up front, and probably change all the shocks. Any opinions on some good shocks?

bambam0417

Check out the write up. I forget off the top of my head who did it but it was very good information.