Ghettojeep1

Ik alot of peiple have done this mod, but I can't seem to find any build threads on it. Someone know how hard it is to convert to leafs all around and how much lift I can get out of it? Thanks guys

xjmarc

Lift will be determined by the leaves used but not sure why you'd go that route. A ZJ is 4 linked front and rear which is what most people replace leaves with. Kinda like going backwards. You'd need to do some unitbody plating and remove all the old mounts and make new ones. In the long run you'd spend more converting to leaves, if it's done right, than with a good long travel linked suspension.

PingPong

I know one or two ppl who have done this on ZJ's and TJ's. From what I remember they used MJ/Chevy 63's. In the front they used waggy leafs.

Obviously you will get lots of hate mail for doing it

Ghettojeep1

I know everyone thinks its going backwards, but in the long run leafs are alot cheaper to lift and maintain. Coils do flex better, but they are so expensive that I cant afford more than four inches of lift. Right now Im just gonna run 3" of lift and some 31s, but this summer Im going all out and I want about 12- 14 inches of total lift and running some 35s or 37s. Im an experienced welder so the fab work is nothing. After watching youtube vids and everything Ive seen that all rigs that run large tires have converted to leafs all around so Ive decided I might as well too. I'm not looking for anyone to dissuade me from doing it, Im looking for advice on how to do it and the best way to do it. If you buy it, everyone can have it. If you build it, everyone wants it.

Gee oh Dee

O.o

xjmarc

You don't need anywhere near 12" to run 35s. My old ZJ had 35s on 4" with very little trimming. With 12" of lift you better be running full widths for stability and you'd be able to fit 44s.

blackjack12982

Way to go OP!!! I can't wait to see your 12" leaf sprung ZJ "stuffing" 35's...

blackjack12982

Instead of watching more retarded hillbilly built rigs that belong on the Scary Steering website why not read through some well built rigs build threads. I can think of 5 or 6 off the top of my head that are on 37's or more, and that aren't running leaf springs.

DirtRoadXJ

lol

Bossokee

There seems to be a general notion mainly in the south that more lift is always better? Prolly has something to do with the deep mud down there

blackjack12982

Absolutely true! I can't go anywhere without seeing fullsize trucks with 4-5" of suspension lift, then he hicks add 3" body lift to run 33's.


Unfortunately that's probably a better platform than the OP's design of a leaf sprung ZJ with 10-12" of lift. At least the trucks have wide axles and a stable wheelbase.

98xxxj

watch your mouth calling people hicks mods need to treat this as a racial slur.

blackjack12982

Troll -

From Urban Dictionary...

hick 772 up, 444 down
Derogatory term for a someone from the country. Somewhere between a bumpkin an a redneck, though they tend to get wrongly lumped in either category. Unlike bumpkins, they are aware of the world beyond their rural setting, and probably have lived briefly in the city before returning to the quieter life they prefer. Unlike rednecks, they are generally educated, nice people who don't chastise non-religious people and aren't racist.

98xxxj

Not sure what a troll has to do with it but you need to let this go before it gets turned into something.

blackjack12982

Turned into what, the internet police? Someone offended you on the internet, do you call 911 everytime it happens, or only when you're on a messageboard? It has nothing to do with race you troll. Call 911 or your mother, whichever one...


Back to the OP's question, as stated, you don't need anywhere near 12" to run 35's. I run 35's on 5.5", and have been thinking about dropping mine down 0.5" or so. It's definitely doable. With a sawzall, grinder, and a BFH, you can run any tire size you want. Heck, 35's have been run on a 2" BB.