3" and 31, build me a kit
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 689
Likes: 2
From: Longview, TX
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Definitely go straight to the 33's. I went 3" and 31's a little while back and I am kicking myself. Just sold my 31's with about 500 miles on them at a big loss and ordered the 33's like I should have done in the first place.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 3
From: SLC, Utah
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Im not really sure you know what rear flex is lol. That thing is about as stiff as an ironing board. Heres a picture of my 230,000 mile leaf pack
Here it sits today, no sagging, low arch(a lot of arch is arch is actually not a great thing), soft riding leaf pack.
This is pretty much what rear flex look like.
So why put a bandaid on worn out springs? Because it works better then you $300 springs at an 1/8th the price.
And off topic, how are those KM2's treating you on rocks?
Old School CF Moderator
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9,652
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I know what rear flex is I can assure you once i replace these springs with alcans or deavers it'll get better. As for how the km2s are holding up on rocks they are doing great The edges of some tread blocks are chunked a little from spinning on sharp granite trying to get up some stuff. But other then that they are great.
I've ran that exact setup..it sucked as far as articulation goes
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,952
Likes: 17
Model: Cherokee
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Anything else out back with the leafs. Did you actually find old man emu leafs listed at 3in or did you get ones listed at 2in and get what they call "medium duty" or "heavy duty".
I would get the leafs listed as "med" or "heavy duty" because one of those actually gives a stock cherokee 3 in(I forget, have to look that up), but because I'm going to be running shackle relocation brackets to get a better shackle angle I'm going to go with the "light duty" leafs.
To the O.P., if you don't know what the shackle relocation brackets are you should really consider them. They replace the flimsy sheet metal shackle boxes, some brands can add lift, some have lo profile, and most importantly are adjustable to get the shackle angle to the desired 45°. If the shackle angles is straight up and down or close to it when you hit a bump in the road all that force is applied straight up into the body instead of being absorbed into the leaf spring.
Last edited by jon with the jeep; Aug 24, 2013 at 12:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Northern Michigan
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 V6
Thanks for all replies guys, lots of info and looks like a lot of options.
I.know Forsure I don't want to use JY leafs. Don't know much about the relocators.
Will a LP and a 3" be fine? I have a HP I'm waiting to gear but won't be for a while. Just don't want to run into driveline binding.
I.know Forsure I don't want to use JY leafs. Don't know much about the relocators.
Will a LP and a 3" be fine? I have a HP I'm waiting to gear but won't be for a while. Just don't want to run into driveline binding.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Hagerstown, Md
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
a low pinion will be just fine, the stock front driveshaft is a double cardon and cn bend more without vibing. dont quote me on this but for a a high pinion 30 to work in our jeeps(00',01')(mines a 2000) we need to have a custom exhaust built. header back. reason is because in 2000 they put pre cats on the headers to conform to new emission laws. what happends is the driveshaft will be pushed up into the pipe and smash it. ive read that they get smashed even at 4in lift with proper bumpstopping. it gets smashed just driving down the road and hitting pot holes. there has been guys that do install high pinion 30s but the ended up spending 8-900 dollars on a custom exhaust. another reason why 00' and 01' are far less desirable the 99's. but like i said look it up, this is just wht my understanding is. someone else can provide more info and i could be totally wrong lol
at right around 100 dollars you cant go wrong with the relocators. like i have said and others have, less arched lefs, longer shackle but not to long, and the correct shackle angle wil flex more, allow the axle to droop more resulting in longer shocks, and have the ultimate on road quality. id would only buy FST or HDoffroad enginering shackle relocators.
at right around 100 dollars you cant go wrong with the relocators. like i have said and others have, less arched lefs, longer shackle but not to long, and the correct shackle angle wil flex more, allow the axle to droop more resulting in longer shocks, and have the ultimate on road quality. id would only buy FST or HDoffroad enginering shackle relocators.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Hagerstown, Md
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
haha i know. i dont even have them. when i started hearing about relocators and slider boxes i spent a solid month researching the two, comparing them and what the advantages you they give. i drive 140+ miles round trip to work every day so ride quality is a must. they will take a stock hard hitting rear and turn it into a caddy with air ride. alot of people say its the best upgrade theve done to the jeep. comig in 1st is h4 style headlights. while slider boxes are completly awsome, the word on many forums is they need alot of maitnence. replacement parts, silcone/teflon spray everyweek, and get wore down if you wheel around mud. there great in the west where its rocks and dry but i live on the east coast in maryland so theres alot of mud and mostly trail riding
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: long island NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
haha i know. i dont even have them. when i started hearing about relocators and slider boxes i spent a solid month researching the two, comparing them and what the advantages you they give. i drive 140+ miles round trip to work every day so ride quality is a must. they will take a stock hard hitting rear and turn it into a caddy with air ride. alot of people say its the best upgrade theve done to the jeep. comig in 1st is h4 style headlights. while slider boxes are completly awsome, the word on many forums is they need alot of maitnence. replacement parts, silcone/teflon spray everyweek, and get wore down if you wheel around mud. there great in the west where its rocks and dry but i live on the east coast in maryland so theres alot of mud and mostly trail riding