Can we talk leafs and brackets?
03-28-2017, 06:08 PM
#31
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Louisville KY
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Year: 01
Model: Cherokee
I'd highly recommend getting new nutstrips and grade 8 hardware to match.
but yeah the list goes
IRO u bolts
dirtbound plates
rustys leafs
HDOR no lift brackets
core4x4 shackles (have them made 7" eye to eye)
xjwonders nutstrips-he can tell you the right hardware
a couple tips. When cutting out the old shackle brackets, make sure the piece that is welded to the frame rail is ground completely flush. You have to slide the shackle nut between the new bracket and that rail and if there's any material sticking out, your nut won't fit. Also i drilled out some of the spot welds on the top which let me peel the old bracket off.
Also make sure that your hardware fits through all the holes in the bracket. It's almost impossible to make the holes bigger once it's installed. One of the holes I used was a smidge too small for the bolt to slide in. Very annoying but an easy fix if you check before install.
Core4x4 sells optional hardware with their shackles. They sent me 2 short side bolts that worked fine, but the long ones they sent were so big they wouldn't fit through the leaf bushing or the shackle bushing. Something to think about. Maybe ask them about those big bolts. Really, 4 of the smaller ones would work great. Give them a call when ordering. They make these to order so just specify what length you want. I had them made at 6.5" but you could get them made at maybe 7.5 to have a little extra adjustability.
but yeah the list goes
IRO u bolts
dirtbound plates
rustys leafs
HDOR no lift brackets
core4x4 shackles (have them made 7" eye to eye)
xjwonders nutstrips-he can tell you the right hardware
a couple tips. When cutting out the old shackle brackets, make sure the piece that is welded to the frame rail is ground completely flush. You have to slide the shackle nut between the new bracket and that rail and if there's any material sticking out, your nut won't fit. Also i drilled out some of the spot welds on the top which let me peel the old bracket off.
Also make sure that your hardware fits through all the holes in the bracket. It's almost impossible to make the holes bigger once it's installed. One of the holes I used was a smidge too small for the bolt to slide in. Very annoying but an easy fix if you check before install.
Core4x4 sells optional hardware with their shackles. They sent me 2 short side bolts that worked fine, but the long ones they sent were so big they wouldn't fit through the leaf bushing or the shackle bushing. Something to think about. Maybe ask them about those big bolts. Really, 4 of the smaller ones would work great. Give them a call when ordering. They make these to order so just specify what length you want. I had them made at 6.5" but you could get them made at maybe 7.5 to have a little extra adjustability.
03-28-2017, 06:19 PM
#32
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Piketon ohio
Posts: 34
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
So you still running around a 4" lift? What size tires you running? I'm getting ready to redo the entire rear of mine. Thanks for all the info too! Very helpful
03-28-2017, 06:49 PM
#34
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Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: SoCal
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
I'd highly recommend getting new nutstrips and grade 8 hardware to match.
but yeah the list goes
IRO u bolts
dirtbound plates
rustys leafs
HDOR no lift brackets
core4x4 shackles (have them made 7" eye to eye)
xjwonders nutstrips-he can tell you the right hardware
a couple tips. When cutting out the old shackle brackets, make sure the piece that is welded to the frame rail is ground completely flush. You have to slide the shackle nut between the new bracket and that rail and if there's any material sticking out, your nut won't fit. Also i drilled out some of the spot welds on the top which let me peel the old bracket off.
Also make sure that your hardware fits through all the holes in the bracket. It's almost impossible to make the holes bigger once it's installed. One of the holes I used was a smidge too small for the bolt to slide in. Very annoying but an easy fix if you check before install.
Core4x4 sells optional hardware with their shackles. They sent me 2 short side bolts that worked fine, but the long ones they sent were so big they wouldn't fit through the leaf bushing or the shackle bushing. Something to think about. Maybe ask them about those big bolts. Really, 4 of the smaller ones would work great. Give them a call when ordering. They make these to order so just specify what length you want. I had them made at 6.5" but you could get them made at maybe 7.5 to have a little extra adjustability.
but yeah the list goes
IRO u bolts
dirtbound plates
rustys leafs
HDOR no lift brackets
core4x4 shackles (have them made 7" eye to eye)
xjwonders nutstrips-he can tell you the right hardware
a couple tips. When cutting out the old shackle brackets, make sure the piece that is welded to the frame rail is ground completely flush. You have to slide the shackle nut between the new bracket and that rail and if there's any material sticking out, your nut won't fit. Also i drilled out some of the spot welds on the top which let me peel the old bracket off.
Also make sure that your hardware fits through all the holes in the bracket. It's almost impossible to make the holes bigger once it's installed. One of the holes I used was a smidge too small for the bolt to slide in. Very annoying but an easy fix if you check before install.
Core4x4 sells optional hardware with their shackles. They sent me 2 short side bolts that worked fine, but the long ones they sent were so big they wouldn't fit through the leaf bushing or the shackle bushing. Something to think about. Maybe ask them about those big bolts. Really, 4 of the smaller ones would work great. Give them a call when ordering. They make these to order so just specify what length you want. I had them made at 6.5" but you could get them made at maybe 7.5 to have a little extra adjustability.
03-28-2017, 07:13 PM
#35
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Louisville KY
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Year: 01
Model: Cherokee
Nice. I think those RE springs will net more lift than the rustys pack. But since you've got so much adjustability in the shackles you can dial it in like you want.