I've got all the same issues. Replacing part by part in hopes to get the steering issue cleared a bit. "Once a Jeep, Always a Jeep" basically they ride like crap, I mean like a jeep.

The one concern that I have (like you) is the play in the steering box. In one of the build threads they swapped out the XJ steering box with a Dodge Durango steering box. They said it was an easy swap and quite a bit bigger. Anyone have thoughts about that?

My XJ (2001) had terrable steering as stock. The last XJ I had, (1999) didn't have any steering issues.

Ride/comfort: Tomkin Lifts seem to really ride nice, I like the kits that have complete sets of rear leafs. The Add-a-leaf kits seem to give you more bounce since the OEM leafs are typically beat by the time you install the lift...(just a note)

 

"I had a similar problem as you. I had recently put new everything on the front of my jeep-steering, RC upper control arms, track bar, drop brackets, etc. I kept feeling like I was kind of driving a boat at high speeds that would want to drift in different directions randomly and when going over bumps. I bet you have the same issue I had. My problem was that the UCA joints were bad and they were only 2 months old. I replaced the axle side bushing and retightened the xjoints and it drove great...for about another month. I ended up rebuilding my uca's 4 times across a 7 month period and said screw it and went out and bought a Clayton 3 link system with huge very high quality Johnny joints on all ends. Jeep drives amazing now at 6"+ of lift and 35's going 80mph."

-Sounds like my ride exactly. I have new RC upper and lower X-flex control arms. They seem solid as crap, but I'm sure that what you thought each time you have to rebild yours. What brand failed on you????

drewjharper1900-Where are you in Tampa? I'm in St. Pete and your Cherokee and mine look similar. Cool. "There jeeps, we love them, and thats why we look past the s***ty ride and horrible gas mileage!"-I don't know why, it's so hard to hate this thing. My wife drives it on the weekdays (her truck I'm driving now, it's too unreliable for her) and I get "giddie" everytime I drive it. It doesn't make sense.

I may have to do that Clayton thing one day! Solid at 6" and 35's, it doesn't even seem possible.

Your advise is invaluable guys!

"Ride/comfort: Tomkin Lifts seem to really ride nice, I like the kits that have complete sets of rear leafs. The Add-a-leaf kits seem to give you more bounce since the OEM leafs are typically beat by the time you install the lift...(just a note)"----Good point coronaxtr.


Here are the best pics of the rear leaf/shackle:

First four are right rear wheel, fifth picture is left rear-

 

Hurt me with honest......I have thick skin and am learning the 4x4 lifted thing.

My AAL/bastard hybrid started out with 5 leafs. It literally hurt to hit bumps in the road. I swapped in and out the used Blazer springs with the original XJ ones, but was still too still. Four leafs was as good as it would get and have the same height.

 

Are those lift blocks or axle shims? If there blocks you should ditch those.

And im in citrus park. Right off the veterans. Where in st. pete are ya?

 

Oh and your shackles look like there at a crappy angle. Looks like strait up and down to me. They should be more like 45*

 

They aren't blocks, they are billet wedges for the pinion angle.

I'm downtown St. Pete.

The shackles, I didn't touch, so they are at the stock angles....right????? Is that bad? Should they be 45* pointing "in" toward the axle or what? How do you get them to do that?

Is there anyway to fourwheel around here????I don't know anywhere yet.

 

Okay yeah shims are fine. And no there not at stock angles anymore. Since you gave the main leaf more arch, in turn you shortened the length from eye to eye. So you brought the bottom of the shackle closer towards the axle. It should be 45* with the leaf spring bolt pointing away from the axle. Better shackle angle will greatly improve the ride quality. Rough country makes a good shackle relocation bracket. Im gona get one sometime in the furture. It lets you adjust the mounting point of the shackle. And there only like $100 bucks.

As for wheeling, there isnt much thats less than a 45 min drive. Most places i go to play around arnt exatly legal(i dont think). But look around on google maps. Easy way to find woods and you can see trails that run through them. Look around where the power lines run. You gona go to jeepbeach?

 

To answer your question they were rough country upper control arms. I know yours are new, but I'm just saying mine were brand new also. I ended up going through and replacing every single part from my ball joints to steering to wheel hubs and two aftermarket steering systems before I figured out those were the actual issue. If I were you I would just unbolt them and take them out and tighten those joints on the uca's it only takes a couple hours max and if anything let you cross that off you list.

Did you check out your ballpoints and wheel hubs? Also make sure the bolts holding your track bar mount and steering box to the frame are tight.

 

Thank you so much for the tips.

-Where is Jeepbeach? Never heard of it. Is it a one time thing or what?

 

Its at the daytona speedway in the infield. They build a whole offroad course. It happens every year. Its at the end of april this year. Heres the link for it. Its $50 to pre-register and $60 the day of. I know im going and a few other guys from the forum will be there too. We will be staying at the KOA campground.

http://www.jeepbeach.com/

 

Okay maybe I can help some.

There is basically 2 problems I can tell. Sways in the wind which is normal because of the bax shape and high center of gravity being 6 inches higher. u can help this some by widening the stance with wheel spacers or different wheels.

The harsh ride in town has to do with the springs. The pucks r not problem. Some progressive rate springs or quality springs will help that.

For the rear I would change ur setup a little. Try using more shackle and less spring to help with ur shackle angle. Also the way ur pack looks is the main stock leaf is doing most the flex while the one extra installed is of a much higher rate and therefore making it a harsh ride. Try using thinner leaves and a more progressive rate. dont be afraid to take out the thick one and add 2 thinner ones.

Hope this helps Ill check back to see if u have anymore questions.