Seebradgo

It's come time to "refresh" my rear suspension. I've got some rear sag with the leafs, but the death nail came when I noticed both rear shocks were leaking. I'm not sure if they are OEM since the shocks are a dark blue (anyone know the color of the OEM shocks?)...but I can tell they are both leaking.

I want to duplicate the Up Country suspension and (possibly another 1"). Originally, I was going to go with Crown 4886186AA or Dorman 929-301, but many of the recent reviews had put me off on either brand. The quality seems to be really hit or miss with both brands lately. I've read a few stories recently of people getting leafs manufactured at 2 different factories when ordering Dorman or Crown, which has me leery about going with either brand. Thanks to all of the research on this forum, I was to find the General Spring 97-547 leafs. Shipping is expensive to Florida ($70...ouch!) but I'm willing to pay for quality. Manufactured in the US is always nice and generally worth the increased cost. Since the General Springs come with bushings, it helps me justify some of the additional cost.

Now comes the complete setup. I'm going to go with the General Springs and couple them a set of BDS 1" Greaseable Shackles. I want to maintain around 19.5" height from the hub to the flare post settling. Three questions come to mind:
1) Are the 1" shackles overkill? I want to replace the existing shackles anyway and adding 1" to combat settling or while under a load seems logical.
2) If stock height is ~17" and I bump up to 19.5"...should I consider a rear brake line extension or drop bracket? I don't want to overcomplicate the job, but I don't want to tear a brake line either.
3) For new shocks, I think I'm going Rancho. I've always had good luck with them and they have my brand loyalty. Should I go the RS55129 that is basically an OEM replacement of 20.03" extended length or should I go an extended shock like the RS55245 that has an extended length of 24.6"?

I consider myself shade-tree mechanic and comfortable doing the work. However, it's been a long time since I tackled anything with rear leafs. I've been an XJ owner for about 6 months now and I'm loving every minute of it. Been a 6 month "lurker" of this forum and new to posting so go easy on me. haha.

Thanks all!

the59sound

So it's been a few years...how do you like the General Springs?

Seebradgo

Actually, I ended up going with the Dorman 929-301 Springs. I went ham and completely did my own "kit" for a lift. I never could find exactly what I wanted at a fair enough price. I wanted around a 2" - 2.5" lift but wanted to completely "refresh" my suspension at the same time. I didn't want to just lift it on old, worn suspension parts like tie rods and ball joints. I ended up with the lift I wanted and the ride has never been better. Been running this setup since I installed everything at the end of 2018. Here is my parts list:

Front End Parts List:

• Moog CC782 Coil Springs
• Daystar 1.75" Spacers - KJ09100BK
• Rancho RS5401 RS5000 Series Steering Stabilizer
• Rancho RS55128 RS5000X Shock Absorbers
• Rough Country Adjustable Track Bar - 1181
• Rough Country Heavy Duty Tie Rod - 1143
• MOOG DS1238 Tie Rod End
• MOOG ES3096L Tie Rod End
• MOOG ES3094L Tie Rod End
• MOOG ES3095R Tie Rod End
• MOOG Chassis Products ES2079S Tie Rod End Adjusting Sleeve
• MOOG K3161T Ball Joints
• MOOG K3134T Ball Joints
• RuffStuff Specialties Y-Link Tie Rod "CURE" shim

Rear End Parts List:

• Dorman 929-301 HD Leaf Springs
• Iron Rock Offroad XJ Adjustable Boomerang Lift Shackle - 10457
• Iron Rock Offroad Chrysler 8.25 Heavy Duty U-Bolt Plates - 10481
• Iron Rock Offroad XJ U-Bolt Kit for Chrysler 8.25 - 10511
• Iron Rock Offroad Heavy Duty Coil Spring Retainer for XJ/ZJ/TJ - 10145
• Rancho RS55245 RS5000X Shock Absorbers
• Daystar 4" Tall Extended Bumpstops - KJ09122BK
• JKS Extended Sway Bar Disconnects 2002

Drivetrain Parts:

• Rubicon Express RE2120 T-Case Lowering Kit for Jeep XJ/ZJ

.tb_button {padding:1px;cursorointer;border-right: 1px solid #8b8b8b;border-left: 1px solid #FFF;border-bottom: 1px solid #fff;}.tb_button.hover {borer:2px outset #def; background-color: #f8f8f8 !important;}.ws_toolbar {z-index:100000} .ws_toolbar .ws_tb_btn {cursorointer;border:1px solid #555;padding:3px} .tb_highlight{background-color:yellow} .tb_hide {visibility:hidden} .ws_toolbar img {padding:2px;margin:0px}.tb_button {padding:1px;cursorointer;border-right: 1px solid #8b8b8b;border-left: 1px solid #FFF;border-bottom: 1px solid #fff;}.tb_button.hover {borer:2px outset #def; background-color: #f8f8f8 !important;}.ws_toolbar {z-index:100000} .ws_toolbar .ws_tb_btn {cursorointer;border:1px solid #555;padding:3px} .tb_highlight{background-color:yellow} .tb_hide {visibility:hidden} .ws_toolbar img {padding:2px;margin:0px}

Battle

Got any pictures to share?

Seebradgo

Sure thing. Here ya go. Hopefully, these all post properly. If not, I'll try an Imgur link.



Before pic. Rear was sagging bad with flat leaf springs. I was running 235/75/15s in this pic. Also before the front bumper & winch.



Front suspension mostly done. Before I put in new ball joints and adjusted all the angles.



Rear suspension mostly done. I eventually ripped out the rear sway bar.



Mounted and balanced my own tires.



After pic. ~2.5" lift with 30x9.5x15 tires & front bumper with Winch.



.tb_button {padding:1px;cursorointer;border-right: 1px solid #8b8b8b;border-left: 1px solid #FFF;border-bottom: 1px solid #fff;}.tb_button.hover {borer:2px outset #def; background-color: #f8f8f8 !important;}.ws_toolbar {z-index:100000} .ws_toolbar .ws_tb_btn {cursorointer;border:1px solid #555;padding:3px} .tb_highlight{background-color:yellow} .tb_hide {visibility:hidden} .ws_toolbar img {padding:2px;margin:0px}