Hey guys, I'm looking for some recommendations. I want to keep my XJ as close to stock suspension geometry as possible in order to have a low center of gravity and keep the mpg as is. However, I want to be able to haul loads, gear, people, rooftop tent, ect. I also want the best steering available. The biggest tire size I will go is the 235 75r 15, which is what I have now. I'm wondering are there any packages that upgrade the suspension without giving too much of a lift? The up country package would be ideal, does anyone know if that package is still available? As for steering, I'm going to put a zj tie rod. Anything else I can do to get better steering? Steering stabilizer? Track bar? Drag links?

Thanks
Al

 

A ZJ tie rod is plenty of upgrade for a stock rig

 

Thanks. is it possible to replicate the up country suspension with old man emu components?

 

If you ever have problems with the steering box, keep this in mind; https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/du...upgrade-3805/

 

Yes, Old Man Emu is good stuff

 

Maybe PM some of these guys:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/rep...-301-a-255460/

Also I found this recently at amazon concerning the MOOG CC782 coils:
Question:
Answer:
Variable rate springs are designed with coils that are spaced at varying distances. It is not uncommon the coils closer to one another touch when installed. Moog coil springs are cataloged and designed to restore non-modified vehicles to factory ride height and ride quality. Thank you

Technical Specialist, DRiV
· January 30, 2020

 

I did the Up country suspension like mentioned above/

Crown Heavy Duty leafs
stock crown shackles
Moog CC782 coils
3/4” (.75”) spacer

I went with the recommended- stock/cheap Monroe shocks for front and back.

Id also recommend the the full hardware kit from forum member @Tubur. His kit was amazing and saved a lot of time.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f74/fu...e-kits-248156/

Side note... start pb blasting things now! Haha

 

Oooohhh yeah!


BTW, the leaf spring bolts are Loctited from the factory. You must use a torch to get the out, or you are likely to break something. Happens all the time.

 

My build is similar, a mild "up country " look that serve as a competent daily and camping rig. I went with Rancho 1.5 springs and ome 930 coils. I'm running 30x9.5 bfgs but here's a photo of my setup with 235/75 15s

 

Looks good! Do you mean OME 2930 coils?

 

Of course 2930

 

A concern of the CC782 coils is that they can be a little rackety. Mine clacked a little for a while but then it disappeared and never resurfaced.

That said, I can't be sure that it was the 782's clacking because I had to rebuild the spring perches and the stabilizer bracket ended up nearly touching the coil on the passenger side. Tried to confirm where the noise was coming from by sticking rubber pads between the suspected areas of coil contact and that seemed to help.

Anyway, the noise is gone, I'm happy with the performance and you can't beat the price.

 

Would old man emu shocks work with the moog upcountry package specified above?

 

A lot of us here with the Up Country suspension use red or black (red being the stiffer of the two) oem shocks from a JK Rubicon. Here are the specs for them which you can use to compare to the OME shocks. They can be had on E-Bay cheap if you check frequently.
Lenghts:
Collapsed= 14.75"
Extended= 22.75"

 

This is the tie rod upgrade from the 8 cyl zj? Are there known weakness problems with the stock xj setup? wondering