I have been browsing different threads trying to figure out a 1" to 2" suspension upgrade for my 99 XJ. I am thinking about going with the Crown 4886186AA HD Leaf Springs and the OME 2930 Front Coils. Does anyone have this setup? Will the front end up a lot higher than the rear?

I am also in need of shocks as well and was trying to figure out which to go with. These were the few I was considering.
Old Man Emu's:
Old Man Emu 60052 Front Nitrocharger Sport Shock Absorber for 84-01 Jeep Cherokee XJ with 1.5-1.75" Lift | Quadratec
Old Man Emu 60053 Rear Nitrocharger Sport Shock Absorber for 84-01 Jeep Cherokee XJ with 2-2.5" Lift | Quadratec

or I have always heard good things about Bilstein's but the only options I have seen are for a 0" lift or 2-3" lift. Not sure which option would be better suited for my proposed 1.5 - 2" lift. Curious on what others think on these options?

Bilstein's 0" Lift:
Bilstein 24-017985 Front Heavy Duty Gas Shock for 94-01 Jeep Cherokee XJ & 93-98 Grand Cherokee with 0" Lift | Quadratec
Bilstein 24-010467 Rear Heavy Duty Gas Shock for 84-01 Jeep Cherokee XJ with 0" Lift | Quadratec

Bilstein's 2-3" Lift:
Bilstein 24-185622 Front B8 5100 Series Gas Shock Absorber for 84-06 Jeep Cherokee XJ with 2-3" Lift | Quadratec
Bilstein 24-185639 Rear B8 5100 Series Gas Shock for 84-01 Jeep Cherokee XJ with 2-3" Lift | Quadratec

Any advice or other recommendations would be appreciated!

 

Depending on your budget, you should definteiyl looka t Dirks kits. I bought the 2.5 OME kit for my 98 and 99. No complaints whatsoever. OME is high quality. https://dpgoffroad.com/product/2-5-u...mu-hybrid-kit/ . Dirk is always happy to have a call and ask what you are looking for.
I don't think he's raised the price for awhile either. The kit has everything you will need excpet the bigger tires.

 

Here is my thread from when I did my suspension. I received a lot of great advice in it, hopefully, it will be some help to you!

 

Alright, I think this is the setup (see below) that I am leaning towards. Do you think this will come out pretty level or will the front be sitting higher? Do people typically always replace the shackles and bolts? Should I consider a 1" longer or adjustable shackle? I am hoping to get 1.5" lift in the rear and 1.75" in the front.

Are the Bilstein 5100 a good shock option for this setup? Will they be too long or overkill on this lift? I want a comfortable ride as this is my daily driver (mostly highway miles), but I like to get it out on some trails a few times a year (but nothing too crazy).

Also, I have pretty new 235/75/15 tires that I plan on keeping for a few years. Will they still look good on this setup for the foreseeable future? I would probably go up to 30" tires in the future.

Parts setup:
Old Man Emu 2930 Front Coil
Crown Automotive Heavy Duty Leaf Spring with 7" Free Arch +bushings
Rubicon Express RE1225 - U-Bolt Kit

Bilstein Front 5100 Shock
Bilstein Rear 5100 Shock

Will these require longer than OEM sized front bump stops?

Any other modifications needed for this proposed set-up?

 

Just a post to let you know the Crown Springs are cheaper here:


Not on the payroll, but have purchased them before and will probably get a set for my "new to me" 96, soon.

 

Thank you for the heads up! Were you pretty happy with the ones you had before? I’ve seen some reviews saying the springs went flat, but I am wondering if some of that is the springs settling in too?

I think I might pair them with the Ironrock offroad adjustable shackle (0” or 0.75”) setting, so I can get another 0.75” if needed to keep it level in case the front ends up higher at some point. I also thought about getting a heavier duty front bumper which might help me pull the front down if needed.

 

Yes, I was happy with the way the springs performed. I had had the XJ about 6 months after installation and they were still holding up. I paired them with some Moog CC782 coils in the front along with a .75 spacer and I was still higher in the rear. It (rake) wasn't a difference I was bothered with, but I was not real happy with the Moog coils. They seemed to be "soft" on the bottom of the coils to the point the coils were almost if not touching. On my present XJ, I will probably just change the rear springs as I don't think the front is squatting too bad. I want to tow a jetski and the little bit of tongue weight makes it sag pretty badly right now otherwise it rides good. Good Luck and start hitting all the bolts with PB blaster or the like for a couple of weeks before you plan to remove them as often as you can to make removal easier! The hardest part for me on replacing the springs was getting the bushings in before installation. Found that if you put the bushing in the freezer for a hour or so and then used a big thick screwdriver to expand the loop on the spring ends made it pretty easy. Once they are started, just put a scrap piece of wood on the bushing and use a 4lb hammer to push them in the rest of the way.

 

Got this job to look forward to, having bought the back springs when they were a not to be repeated price - & they came with bushings!

However, I can vouch for the freezing the bushings trick as that's what a did with my drag link, which I left out in the sun 'til it was almost too hot to handle. Would add that plenty of lube can only help..

 

When I purchased my '96 the PO had installed the Crown leaf springs and Moog coils as mentioned above. I call it the Amazon Lift.The lift was exactly 1 1/2 front and rear and after 2 years plus since I bought it its now sitting at 1 inch front and rear. I have added sliders and a 90 lb roof rack and that pretty much caused the settling. I like the ride, but will be switching to the OME 2 1/2 inch next. I've had a CJ7 and Land Rover with OME and it doesn't get any better in my opinion.

 

Would upcountry springs meet your needs? That’s probably the easiest way to get an inch if replacing springs and shocks. On worn springs it’s likely sitting well below stock so it’ll be a larger change than expected.

Hindsight, I mess up just about every job I attempt on the Jeep my first go at it, so my current self is telling my future self to keep it simple.

Sorry to make that one about me, but best luck whatever you decide!