Ricksxj

Thank you sir.

mcnerd

This thread is awesome. I am looking to add a little bit of height to a fully stock 1989 Laredo 4.0L AW4, 130K original miles. and rust free on body and frame. Plan is to piece together the lift with the list of parts below to try and get 1.5" to 2" overstock lift and put on some 30" Falken Wildpeak ATW3's and keep the stock wheels. This car will be seeing a fair share of highway driving then a few weekends offroading down at the farm every year. Trying to keep it safe for my 16 year old driver but give it a little bit of an upgrade and possibly improve the ride from stock. So any feedback on this list would be great. The only thing I am thinking about adding is spacers for the front coils? Included a picture for those who care. Also want to keep the lift down so no replacement of track bar and transfer case drop (or SYE). I was considering the OME 2" kit but this actually cheaper.

EDIT: Currently is sagging about 1/4" front and 1/2" in back.

Parts list:

Moog cc782 Front Springs
OME CS033RB Rear Leafs (plan on removing one leaf to keep lift down)
Bilstein 5100 Shocks all around (2-3" lift models)
Prothane 1-1007 Leaf Spring Bushing Kit
Daystar KJ09122BK 3.9" Bump Stops for rear
Daystar KJ09101BK 5" Bump Stops for front
U-bolt kit for Dana 35
Skyjacker 7009 HD Steering Stabilizer Kit

Appreciate any feedback on parts or items I should expect to need.

downs

This is the second XJ I've had that I'm keeping in the nearly stock category not 100 percent but probably 98 or 99 percent. I'm doing little odds and ends here and there but for the most part mechanically it's going to be pretty much stock.

I had to rebuild the suspension front and rear with the Doorman HD springs in the rear so went with UPCOUNTRY spec parts, 235 tires, Installed a 2 inch reciever up front for recovery and winch plate use while keeping the stock bumpers and also not having to lug 70 lbs of winch around on the front of my Jeep when it's not needed. Installed a front Powertrax NoSlip locker and left the rear open. HAM radio in an overhead mount.

Other than that stuff it's just been getting it back into tip top shape or as close as I can afford to get it to make it a decent exploration wagon and daily driver while still having some decent capability. The only stuff left on my wish list is really a TrueTrac limited slip for the rear, rock rails and some underbody protection. I've got a rugged ridge seat in the driver's side till I can figure out how and if I want to restore the original driver's seat which I would like to do. And one day I'd like to save up the money to have the paint fully restored to original condition, that'll be a long way off though

Here's my last XJ which was s 97 Sport. I ran that thing all over Southern California and loved it. I enjoyed it more than my modded XJs. I also had the Doorman HD springs on the back of it and the MOOGs on the front to simulate Upcountry suspension







And my current 95 which is probably a little more stock than my 97

Idunno

I guess I'm one of the few remaining 100% stock. But, it is a 2WD that will never see off-road so a gain in altitude is pretty much pointless. Otherwise, there's some pretty nice looking iron in this thread.

5-Speed

My old stock 2wd.

third coast

I love that color combination on your '89. I drove a '92 for several years with the same basic color combination and just about every factory option available including the off road package. My father-in-law ordered it from the factory and drove it for several years, then I drove it for several years, sold it to my nephew and now my son has it. Unfortunately it is rusting away and beyond restoration. Would love to find another. As far as your setup goes, I would be tempted to leave it as is for now. It is not off by much and with a new driver it might be best to leave it that way for a couple of years. Maybe just replace shocks and any worn front end components so it handles like new. I have also looked at the OME mild lift as you have. You need to remove one leaf in the rear to approximate the factory off road package ride height. The OME is reported to give the best ride of any. The '91 I recently acquired will likely go that route.