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After three years I am finally ready to start piecing together the suspension rebuild for my 96. The plan, complete front suspension/steering rebuild, possibly ZJ steering upgrade, and upcountry "lift". I am undecided on the ZJ upgrade, I'm not sure how much more it is compared to buying stock components, the only off-road situations will be service roads and snow. I had put together the majority of a parts list some time ago but I have since lost it, so I am coming to the experts who know more about the parts needed or have gone this route before. The majority of the front stuff I can figure out, especially if I don't do the ZJ upgrade, but I wanna make sure I get the correct springs, leaf springs, bushings, and shocks to achieve the upcountry look. I believe it is the poly leaf spring bushings that cause squeaking, I'm not sure what the advantages are, so I will likely stick with rubber. Any help and part numbers/links will be greatly appreciated.
My 99 XJ is/was my retirement project. I don't think it will ever be a rock crawler and it supplements/replaces my 2019 Z71 to keep the mileage down on the Z.
It is basically my "knockaround" vehicle. I have it as close to stock as possible except for the front bumper. My rear springs are flat, I replaced the rear shocks with some Monroe Spring over shocks and should have replacement rear springs (Crown Heavy Duty) in
by the first of the week. It is my understanding that the new springs will add about 1.5 to 2.0 inches of lift (probably to sag in a year). If it does (add lift to the rear), I will replace the front springs and maybe add a 3/4 " shim to equal the rake out. I don't need a lift, I
just want the XJ to ride well and have its original capabilities. My tires are (new) 235/75R15's and that most likely will be as big as I go.
So I think what I have planned is a poor man's "upcountry" lift. If you don't move too fast on yours, I will let you know how this one turns out.
I am going to do the Up Country lift myself at some point.
The basics appear to be: Moog CC782.
Zone 2100J 3/4" spacers which don't appear to be available anymore.
Crown 4886186AA leaf springs.
I have been talking with somebody about spacers and using the stock coil springs.
They say 1.75" is good for leveling her out a bit.
If I actually wheeled my Jeep I would not do that but since just trying to go for a look thinking it is OK.
Plus I have the Up Country replica sticker that Jessenator here made in my window.
So thinking I have to make an honest woman out of her at some point. LOL.
Some guys talk about the Old Man Emu coils too.
I think it is the 2930's but not sure.
Somewhere on this forum somebody was just talking about it very recently.
But if you look at the specs I wonder if it might be a little too much for some.
1.75" with stock/light load.
Can see that and more here. Scroll down a bit.
The Crown part # matches what is heading my way, the Moog CC782's are bookmarked. I will get them underway once I see what changing out the rear springs results in.
The 3/4 inch spacers I saw were on Amazon....doubt they were Zone 2100J. I figure if my rears are flattened out after 21 years, the front coils cannot be in great shape. That is
why I want to change them out as well. Level the rake and give a comfortable ride. Not all potholes are bottomless! Although I may be hard to convince of them being otherwise, right now!
The Crown part # matches what is heading my way, the Moog CC782's are bookmarked. I will get them underway once I see what changing out the rear springs results in.
The 3/4 inch spacers I saw were on Amazon....doubt they were Zone 2100J. I figure if my rears are flattened out after 21 years, the front coils cannot be in great shape. That is
why I want to change them out as well. Level the rake and give a comfortable ride. Not all potholes are bottomless! Although I may be hard to convince of them being otherwise, right now!
That was what I was thinking of doing.
Doing the rear leafs, let it settle for a bit, and see where we are at.
And see what is needed to level her out.
Assuming I can drive without a problem till then. LOL.
Did you guys start soaking your nuts and bolts with PB Blaster yet?
Mine I have been soaking for at least the last 2 years.
In October I Fluid Film.
Before I Fluid Film the nuts and bolts that are going to need to be removed get doused in PB Blaster.
I mean dripping.
Then "seal" it in with the Fluid Film.
In April when I power wash all the Fluid Film off I hit just those nuts and bolts again as described above.
But I am under the impression that none of this matters cause of the red Loctite the factory uses.
And heat is the best way.
I just recently started soaking everything I might touch in PB.
Thank you Ralph for the part numbers. I was pretty sure those were the leaf springs I needed but didn't have much of an idea for the front springs.
Just googling I found these spacers. I guess they would work in addition to the CC782 springs? I noticed the CC782 pair is only $68 on RockAuto shipped.
Could someone tell me if these parts are correct for my application U-bolt kit
x2 Leaf spring bushing
x2 Leaf spring bushing
Also, bump stops are something I'm unsure of, front and rear, Can I just use stock replacements with the upcountry suspension?
I just recently started soaking everything I might touch in PB.
Thank you Ralph for the part numbers. I was pretty sure those were the leaf springs I needed but didn't have much of an idea for the front springs.
Just googling I found these spacers. I guess they would work in addition to the CC782 springs? I noticed the CC782 pair is only $68 on RockAuto shipped.
Could someone tell me if these parts are correct for my application U-bolt kit
x2 Leaf spring bushing
x2 Leaf spring bushing
Also, bump stops are something I'm unsure of, front and rear, Can I just use stock replacements with the upcountry suspension?
Some guys use the Dorman leaf springs too.
I think those come with bushings so.....
There is all sorts of info scattered about out there.
You might find this a little closer to home.
Read jordan96xj's posts.
As far as the bushings go I am coming up with:
52000503 for the front.
52000504 for the back.
So I think you got it.
As far as the bump stops go I don't see why not but somebody smarter then me is going to have to chime in.
I think the longer ones are the Up Country technically though. But even that I am unsure of.
Oh in anticipation of doing this awhile back I bought some Mopar bushings.
Got what I thought was an OK deal on them.
$35 but with tax and shipping came to just under $48 so....
Man, whoever did that review did a great job.
I am going for just about exactly what jordan96xj has done. I don't see myself going bigger than 235/75R15.
Here's where I'm at. Amazon:
Moog CC782
Rubicon Express RE1333
Monroe 37083 x2
Monroe 37027 x2
Crown 4886186AA x2
=$434 Quadratec:
Rubicon Express RE1225
Crown 52000503 x2
Crown 52000504 x2
Crown 52004295 x2
Crown 52002393 x2
=$110
So $544 plus whatever the steering bits come out to.
So Spencer got me kind of motivated on this again.
And starting thinking about the U-Bolts. Real Mopar ones are through the roof pricewise.
I mean crazy. You can find them kinda cheaper on Ebay.
Somewhere I saw the Napa part number for them and I can't find it at the moment and apparently I can't look it up online. Maybe I can at the store.
But also found a thread where somebody said they were crap.
But they also brought up something I would never think of. Having a spring shop make them. Saying it was pretty reasonable for all 4.
In addition to what Spencer posted I found this set too.
12-03-2020, 02:58 PM
Full Suspension Rebuild + Upcountry lift
