Front Leafs?
#3
Member
Thread Starter
welding is not an issue, just have to brace the front, my sides are already braced, then weld on some spring hangars off the front, its less welding than building my own long arms or 3 link or 4 link
Trending Topics
#11
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: City of Trees, CA
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
9 Posts
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
you're going to have fun trying to fit leaf springs in the front with a stock width front axle. unless you put them underneath the frame rail, which you wont have room for with the diff, you'll have to mount them outside the framerail. where the tire will contact them at full crank.
Last edited by Atmos; 04-11-2015 at 02:48 AM.
#14
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Co
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
No not really, but I'll help...
The Bad:
- Front shackles mean the axle moves forward during compression = harsh ride. Same reason why shackle reversal kits are popular for YJs.
- Steering will become sloppy without a panhard bar, especially with the shackles in the front.
- You will have more axle wrap than what you would with factory control arms.
- You better hope you get the geometry perfect when you burn in the mounts, because alignment changes now become caster adjustments.
The Good:
- Literally the only benefit I would say comes with front leaf spring swaps is stability. Leaf springs act like a sway bar due to the spring twisting during flex. Obviously a sway bar on a typical control arm setup will serve the same purpose.
To sum up, unless leaf springs give you a massive hard on, don't do it.
The Bad:
- Front shackles mean the axle moves forward during compression = harsh ride. Same reason why shackle reversal kits are popular for YJs.
- Steering will become sloppy without a panhard bar, especially with the shackles in the front.
- You will have more axle wrap than what you would with factory control arms.
- You better hope you get the geometry perfect when you burn in the mounts, because alignment changes now become caster adjustments.
The Good:
- Literally the only benefit I would say comes with front leaf spring swaps is stability. Leaf springs act like a sway bar due to the spring twisting during flex. Obviously a sway bar on a typical control arm setup will serve the same purpose.
To sum up, unless leaf springs give you a massive hard on, don't do it.
#15
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: City of Trees, CA
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
9 Posts
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
another thing you'll have to worry about is inverting shackles. that's always a fun trail fix. looks like 93_xjcherokee did a nice job on his swap though. only problem is driving those big honkin shackles face first into rocks. I've seen that cause a leaf spring to bend up in nasty ways
Last edited by Atmos; 04-11-2015 at 01:39 PM.