razor02097

yesterday I completed the e brake repair. Found that the auto tension spring broke on one side which was the reason I have been hearing the "clunk, clunk" sound when I slowed down.


Fabricated a catback exhaust using a cherrybomb glass pack, OEM over axle pipe and a 2.25" pipe extension.







Got the tip from a previous project. Total money spent on exhaust.... about $40

razor02097

Received budget lift kit and assembled leaf springs. Still have to purchase u bolt kit.

Rockstar_Tendencies

Cool good job man

razor02097

Thank you




Update:

Yesterday I planned on installing the leaf springs, shackles, spacers and shocks. Also planned on removing the rear sway bar.

Well I ended up installing the shocks and removing the sway bar......

I snapped all 4 upper bolts for the rear shocks! I thought about drilling and tapping but #1 it is too close to the floor and #2 it would take a long time. I ended up using an air chisel and knocking out the nuts welded to the back side. I then fished in some bolts with a lock nut essentially making a stud mount instead of bolting in. I then had to beat the crap out of the shocks to get them off the axle... there was just no mercy for me. Cleaned it all up and installed the new Rancho shocks.

I must have fought with the damn rear leaf spring bolt for 4-5 hours! The bushing fell apart and the inside sleeve was seized to the bolt I decided to reassemble and let someone else install the damn things.

The sway bar was the easiest thing. Removing it took me about 5 minutes. I bought a U bolt kit thinking the U bolts where toast anyway. They actually came off and didn't fight much. I still replaced them though.


I swear with the new shocks she sits a little higher, but I think it is my imagination


I will try to get to a trusted shop to remove the old leaf springs and install the new ones. If my XJ wasn't my daily driver I would tackle the rear leaf springs myself but I can't be without a ride for more then a few days, and don't always have enough time to work on her after the job.



EDIT: Oh yeah I forgot I found one of the front sway bar links broke I guess it is a good excuse for some discos.

razor02097

Well.... Miss blood lust is in the shop... I guess we will see if she cooperates with the mechanic.... or will she bite him too?

hitalonit

hey i had the same problem with my rear shocks .. if you look at my thread.. progect budget box u can see waht i did... i welded up a new bracket... tested them out this weekend at silver lake and they held up amazing .

razor02097

I was thinking about building a bracket but I just wanted to get it over with. I used BMF bolts and nuts to hold the shocks at bay for now.

razor02097

I just got a call from the shop.... they want $190 to install the springs and shackles.... OMFG....

Then they want another $190 to install spring isolators!

No thanks I will install those myself!

razor02097

Got her back, she looked ridiculous....



Huge rake!

Installed the spring isolators. Fighting the whole way... being that the sway bar link broken the other side didn't want to come off... I ended up stripping the right side spring holding bracket bolt... wtf! Also found the axle has some rot


I took the time and cleaned it up, burned the holes closed then gave it a coat of rattle can black.

After all the BS was done I finally got it all back together. She still has freekin rake! Although not nearly as bad. I'm wondering whether or not to get some grand cherokee springs and use them with the stock isolators.




It seems the exhaust is squished between the shackle and the factory towing bracket.

Before...


After...



Here you can see what I'm talking about...



I guess I will try to fit it, maybe get a different tip.

razor02097

I'm going to try out some ZJ springs in the front. I will be picking up a set at the auto parts store because I checked 3 different JY and none have springs for a ZJ.... stupid C4C! I figure the lift would have been good if I kept my old springs but with new springs and shackles it is just too high in the back. If I can get the front up I will be happy.... for now.

Eventually I would like to go ahead and lift her up 6" or more. I did a lot of thinking and I believe that would offer me quite a bit more advantages. One reason is with the rear up in the air more I can get my welder out without having to bend as much.... and I don't smash my head on the lift gate anymore!


Eventually I think I will either order a kit or piece something together. I have 1.5" + shackles right now so 4.5"+ leaf springs, 6"+ coil springs, new shocks, drop pitman arm, track bar, sye kit, and a long arm kit like this...




XJ Cherokee Long Arm Upgrade
Code: RK-LT10-XJ Price: $790.00

still thinking. That is the beauty of budget lifts... you can get an idea of what direction you want without spending $1000. You also get it in the air until you can get the real lift you want.

offroadnut36

Normal zj springs won't lift it any, you have to get the springs from a ZJ with a v8.

I know how you feel about hitting your head on the tail gate...I'm 6'6"

razor02097

Sorry I didn't specify... They are for a 95 ZJ with the 5.2L The springs are progressively wound on the top which didn't appear on my XJ springs. They seem longer but I will have to see the 2 springs together to know.

razor02097

Well there is a big difference in the springs. On the left is the stock Cherokee spring. The right is the GC spring.

I am happy to report that with GC springs and the 1.5" spacer the front matches the back!!!

By the time I got done it was pitch black out... I was called in to work so I snapped a pic in the lit parking garage.



There is a few hundred pounds of tools in the back and the camera wasn't straight, which is why it appears the back is lower. I will unload them and take a proper picture today.

Deathwagon

Looks great man! IMO I think xj's should have came from the factory at around that height.

razor02097

Thanks, I agree.


Done so far.....

New rear leaves
ZJ front coils
1.5” lift
Remove rear sway bar
Discos for front sway bar

Total gain = about 3"!
I think I will be going for electrical next. The alt upgrade, duel battery and inverter.