Hello everyone!
I'm looking to replace my suspension in my 98 XJ. I was looking around on Quadra tec and found several options. But I am unsure what parts that I really need other than my leafs. (They are wasted) Thinking about going with the h.d. ones.
I'm also pretty sure my rear shocks are wasted too. But I am unsure about the front though. How would I check it? I reason that since I'm upgrading to h.d. in the rear I should so the same up front.
My problem is though,it starts running into some real cash just in shocks and springs. I am interested in doing a small lift and I think that it wouldn't cost anymore than a small lift. But once again I am at an impass. Most lift kits in my range only come with helper springs and that's not going to work with my wasted leafs.
Just looking for some advice or a point in the right direction is all. I realize a lot of you will say lift it but I doubt it would be in the cards at the moment.
Stats on my rig: 98 xj 4.0I6 D30 hp C8.25 Bone stock. Help me get my girl perky again. I love her to death even if she's saggy and pissed at times lol. Thanks for reading my long winded post C.F.
I appreciate any and all help.

 

So you want oem parts?

 

rockauto.com

 

I suppose that I do want oem parts. I just am unsure as to what to get though. I don't want to cheap out here at all but I don't want to buy unnecessary parts either.
I've read good things about ome products but the 3" lift is almost $800 and with my tooling around on Quadratec I figured OEM would be around $500+.
Got the ok from the misses to get a new suspension,I just don't know what to get.
Would shocks and springs be fine or am I missing something here?
Sorry folks I just got up and haven't even started the coffee pot lol. I'll check out rock auto btw.

 

Jesus christ, if you got the ok from the lady then go ahead and drop money and lift it instead of replacing stock. You dont have to get an ome lift (it would be sweet) but you could get a decent 3 inch kit for pretty reasonable...

 

I'll look into that. But I do know that I need new leafs though. The lifts that come with new leafs cost about half as much as my XJ did to start with.
I'm past $2000 that I've got in her now just fixing broken worn out parts and I'm looking to keep her till her wheels fall off.
(Watch, one will fall off today lol.)

 

Just
Empty
Every
Pocket

Checkout the Vendor Forum here. Ya might be surprised at what can be found there.

 

Look into up-country OEM leafs (approx. $90 apeice) Up country coils (approx. $40 apeice) It will give you 1.5" of lift. If you want a little more lift add a spacer and greaseable shackles.

 

Thanks folks. And yes I know all too well about the just empty every pocket thing. Which led to my second signature.
Had one of my friends trash my XJ cause every time he went by the hood was up. He didn't understand why I under there if it wasn't broke down. Maintenance is a word this guy didn't understand lol.

 

If your gonna keep her then your money is going to be an investment, not a splurge on a short term rig that youll keep for a year and then trade or set aside. Invest in QUALITY suspension components and you will be set for years to come. You could honestly get a darn decent 3 inch lift under 1000 bucks..including new leafs, coils, shocks, maybe a couple steering upgrades....It will be a HUGE improvement over stock, and if you go with quality parts and brands your ride quality can stay the same as a stock cherokee.

 

Cream of the crop 3 inch kit: http://dpgoffroad.com/products/3-inch-deluxe-xj-kit/
or you could piece your own 3 inch kit together with other products.

 

I guess I'm on the fence about the lift...... Only a few more hundred dollars more really. She's my daily driver btw. And I'm trying to approach this with the "when it's time to replace..... upgrade." mentality. Hasn't steered me wrong yet.
So far I've only bought the best parts for her. Timken hubs,APN header,spicer ujoints& ball joints. Mudfrogs super 44 set up with a high flow cat ect. ect. ect.
Yeah I TOTALLY agree with it's an investment not a splurge lol. Wouldn't 235/75/R15s look a little odd paired with a 3" lift? I like the look of 30s or 31s though but I'd want to get a tranny cooler before all that. I am somewhat concerned about MPG though. Sorry my mind is racing lol.

 

I looked around and the only thing that I could find for the Upcountry suspension was nothing more than fodder for reading. I read in my search that, heavy duty doesn't equal the Upcountry.
Read a rather informative thread on Jeep Forum on suspension systems and I decided for what I need my XJ to do, the Upcountry is the way to go for me.
Can anyone please provide me with a direct link to purchase these? Recommendations are also welcome. Thanks again C.F.

 

Id honestly just spend the extra cash on the lift..
235's wont look horrible with 3 inches but youll want 31's.
Gas mileage really isnt much worse with 31s

 

Had a long and precious day. at work lol.



I've only taken my XJ out on light trails but nothing crazy though. Based on my past escapades in my 89, I'm very confident in what my 98 could do. I just don't wheel her hard cause she's the only vehicle we have and being on a TIGHT budget too. Between kids and all the other overhead associated with running a household; Upcountry seems to be in the cards for now.
Anyways, to help me weigh options:

Any of you folks running heavy duty shocks, springs, and leafs? How do you like them? How much sagging you seen since the installation? How about your overall handling and performance?
To those of you who has a small lift.

Which one do you recommend? Looking for the best bang for my buck. What are some of their merits? How do you like it? Yada yada yada.......


I'm more motivated buy QUALITY VERSUS PRICE personally. Im just wanting to do this right the first time. Thanks again C.F.
Any and all help is appreciated.