saggy rear
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
saggy rear
I own an 89 xj and love it. Problem is the rear leaf springs. I can't put much weight in the rear. I carry a full tool box and extra gear plus passengers and the rear sags where the tires are in the fender wells. What kind of vehicle springs are inter-changeable so I can have the strength to put weight on the back but still have some flex, preferably straight bolt on. Thanks for reading and any advice is helpful.
Last edited by 1stTimer; 11-05-2014 at 12:28 AM. Reason: wording
#6
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I own an 89 xj and love it. Problem is the rear leaf springs. I can't put much weight in the rear. I carry a full tool box and extra gear plus passengers and the rear sags where the tires are in the fender wells. What kind of vehicle springs are inter-changeable so I can have the strength to put weight on the back but still have some flex, preferably straight bolt on. Thanks for reading and any advice is helpful.
Their are aftermarkets such as OME leaf packs for the XJ, that use a two stage rear 4+1 , four leaves (primary) plus one flat spring (secondary) ( or 5+1)
Some S-10s use them, the main spring is the wrong size, can be cut down or removed and combined with the XJs main and other leaves of the leaf pack. Depending on the combination, would add from a small to higher lift for a constant load.
The primary stage behaves similar to an OE spring, with heavier payloads the secondary stage works with the primary, similar to a HD spring.
Dakota springs are also used to create bastard packs for the Cherokee.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1004504
Last edited by Muddz; 11-05-2014 at 03:33 AM.
#7
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Posts: 7,964
Received 952 Likes
on
767 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I own an 89 xj and love it. Problem is the rear leaf springs. I can't put much weight in the rear. I carry a full tool box and extra gear plus passengers and the rear sags where the tires are in the fender wells. What kind of vehicle springs are inter-changeable so I can have the strength to put weight on the back but still have some flex, preferably straight bolt on. Thanks for reading and any advice is helpful.
You probably just need to replace the worn-out springs with OEM. They work JUST FINE for such loads, when they are new.
I used to work for a company that issued Cherokees to the field techs. They carried a lot of tools and often spare parts, and some of the locations were accessible only by VERY rough 4WD-only roads.
No problem.
I suggest you NOT add any overloads or fancy replacements until you have corrected the basic problem - your springs are shot. Adding an overload to worn out springs is NOT a good idea.
You will likely find that's all you need. If not, you can add an overload, knowing that you are upgrading a sound spring pack.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
You probably just need to replace the worn-out springs with OEM. They work JUST FINE for such loads, when they are new.
I used to work for a company that issued Cherokees to the field techs. They carried a lot of tools and often spare parts, and some of the locations were accessible only by VERY rough 4WD-only roads.
No problem.
I suggest you NOT add any overloads or fancy replacements until you have corrected the basic problem - your springs are shot. Adding an overload to worn out springs is NOT a good idea.
You will likely find that's all y
ou need. If not, you can add an overload, knowing that you are upgrading a asound spring pack.
I used to work for a company that issued Cherokees to the field techs. They carried a lot of tools and often spare parts, and some of the locations were accessible only by VERY rough 4WD-only roads.
No problem.
I suggest you NOT add any overloads or fancy replacements until you have corrected the basic problem - your springs are shot. Adding an overload to worn out springs is NOT a good idea.
You will likely find that's all y
ou need. If not, you can add an overload, knowing that you are upgrading a asound spring pack.
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
You probably just need to replace the worn-out springs with OEM. They work JUST FINE for such loads, when they are new.
I used to work for a company that issued Cherokees to the field techs. They carried a lot of tools and often spare parts, and some of the locations were accessible only by VERY rough 4WD-only roads.
No problem.
I suggest you NOT add any overloads or fancy replacements until you have corrected the basic problem - your springs are shot. Adding an overload to worn out springs is NOT a good idea.
You will likely find that's all you need. If not, you can add an overload, knowing that you are upgrading a sound spring pack.
I used to work for a company that issued Cherokees to the field techs. They carried a lot of tools and often spare parts, and some of the locations were accessible only by VERY rough 4WD-only roads.
No problem.
I suggest you NOT add any overloads or fancy replacements until you have corrected the basic problem - your springs are shot. Adding an overload to worn out springs is NOT a good idea.
You will likely find that's all you need. If not, you can add an overload, knowing that you are upgrading a sound spring pack.
#10
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If the rears are sagging that bad I'm sure the front coils should be replaced also.
Dorman makes stock replacement springs and I might suggest you order a set for the "Up Country Package" for an XJ gives it about 1 -1 1/2" more lift than stock XJ.
For what your after forget about the Bastard setups there not what you want.
Dorman makes stock replacement springs and I might suggest you order a set for the "Up Country Package" for an XJ gives it about 1 -1 1/2" more lift than stock XJ.
For what your after forget about the Bastard setups there not what you want.
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
If the rears are sagging that bad I'm sure the front coils should be replaced also.
Dorman makes stock replacement springs and I might suggest you order a set for the "Up Country Package" for an XJ gives it about 1 -1 1/2" more lift than stock XJ.
For what your after forget about the Bastard setups there not what you want.
Dorman makes stock replacement springs and I might suggest you order a set for the "Up Country Package" for an XJ gives it about 1 -1 1/2" more lift than stock XJ.
For what your after forget about the Bastard setups there not what you want.
#12
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 4.0L
A dual rate spring requires a good primary leaf pack for the secondary spring(s) to function.
I carry a constant payload of tools and equipment using variable rate springs. Which allows me to add additional cargo, tow a trailer, etc.
My variable rear leafs (4+1), the spring rate starts out at around ~140 lbs/inch for the primary. When I add extra cargo the spring rate potentially increases up to ~259 lbs/inch Primary + secondary spring. Adds approx. ~2 inch lift. The Jeep handles well both on and off road with lighter and heavier payloads.
Spring packs for lifted Jeeps (~3 to 4+ inches) are typically from around ~150 lbs/inch to ~240 lbs/inch (4.5 inch lift). Spring rates good for flexing while off-road. (Requires to lift the Jeep to add heavier payloads.)
HD OE springs have a load rating of ~750 lbs. (the amount of weight a spring is designed to carry when deflected to a certain height.) which is different from a spring rate (# of lbs to deflect a spring one inch.)
HD springs (including the OEs and overloads) built for the Cherokee, have limitations, so some people build bastard packs to handle heavier loads or as lifts.
Last edited by Muddz; 11-06-2014 at 03:19 AM.
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee