Help with rake on 3" Rough Country lift

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Oct 10, 2019 | 09:16 PM
  #1  
Hi, I purchased a 2000 XJ sport with an 3" Rough Country lift and the back sits higher than the front. I don't think this is normal. Any advice on my issue is much appreciated. has 31"s all around

Thanks y'all
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Oct 10, 2019 | 09:49 PM
  #2  
Stock height, at least on the older XJ's, had the front 0.5" higher than the rear (Stock front = 17.5", stock rear = 17"). If the suspension was set up to towing, rear tire carrier, heavy aftermarket bumper or heavy loads it would be typical to set the rear higher than the front when unloaded.
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Oct 10, 2019 | 09:53 PM
  #3  
Quote: Stock height, at least on the older XJ's, had the front 0.5" higher than the rear (Stock front = 17.5", stock rear = 17"). If the suspension was set up to towing, rear tire carrier, heavy aftermarket bumper or heavy loads it would be typical to set the rear higher than the front when unloaded.
thanks for the help, it was just installed a few months ago and it was not set up for towing or rear tire carrier. I think the rear leafs might have been tightened before the truck was lowered of the jack stands.
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Oct 10, 2019 | 10:10 PM
  #4  
You might want to do some research on lifts and a careful inspection on what you have and how well it was installed. I think that too often lifts are done with low cost as a prime objective and that typically results in several shortcomings. I am working on correcting a poorly done lift on my recently acquired '91. So far everything except the lower control arms is coming out and being replaced.

If yours has extended rear spring shackles you could go back to a stock height shackle. That is a quick and cheap way to lift the rear but it usually screws up the suspension geometry and overstresses the rear springs.
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Oct 10, 2019 | 10:21 PM
  #5  
Quote: You might want to do some research on lifts and a careful inspection on what you have and how well it was installed. I think that too often lifts are done with low cost as a prime objective and that typically results in several shortcomings. I am working on correcting a poorly done lift on my recently acquired '91. So far everything except the lower control arms is coming out and being replaced.

If yours has extended rear spring shackles you could go back to a stock height shackle. That is a quick and cheap way to lift the rear but it usually screws up the suspension geometry and overstresses the rear springs.
thanks Coast,

I will do an inspection asap. This is the kit installed with new Rough Country leaf springs
Amazon Amazon
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Oct 10, 2019 | 10:23 PM
  #6  
Quote: thanks for the help, it was just installed a few months ago and it was not set up for towing or rear tire carrier. I think the rear leafs might have been tightened before the truck was lowered of the jack stands.
Everything should be torqued to spec with the normal weight on the vehicle. That includes the front control arms if changes were done there. Doing otherwise can damage the bushings over time due to additional twisting of the bushings during suspension movement. Not sure that would be the major factor in front to rear being off by much. The place I bought mine from recommended doing the rear first and then the front, adding a coil spring spacer or not depending on what was needed to set it up as I want.
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Oct 10, 2019 | 10:34 PM
  #7  
Quote: Everything should be torqued to spec with the normal weight on the vehicle. That includes the front control arms if changes were done there. Doing otherwise can damage the bushings over time due to additional twisting of the bushings during suspension movement. Not sure that would be the major factor in front to rear being off by much. The place I bought mine from recommended doing the rear first and then the front, adding a coil spring spacer or not depending on what was needed to set it up as I want.
ok, so... I ran the part number on the leaf spring and it says its for a 3.5 lift. Well that sucks because the front is 3" lift. I guess thats why its higher in the rear.
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Oct 10, 2019 | 10:36 PM
  #8  
If the kit was with entire new rear leaf springs that is a much better way to go than just an add-a-leaf.

There is an entire section on this forum with lift discussions. Lifts are a much debated and in my opinion it is not a straight forward modificaiton to get great results.
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Oct 10, 2019 | 11:13 PM
  #9  
Quote: If the kit was with entire new rear leaf springs that is a much better way to go than just an add-a-leaf.

There is an entire section on this forum with lift discussions. Lifts are a much debated and in my opinion it is not a straight forward modificaiton to get great results.
thank you again for your time. I will indulge the thread on lifts
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Oct 11, 2019 | 06:19 AM
  #10  
How much higher does it sit? Having the rear an inch or so higher is a good thing.
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Oct 11, 2019 | 07:10 AM
  #11  
Quote: How much higher does it sit? Having the rear an inch or so higher is a good thing.

seems higher than most pictures of other XJs
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Oct 11, 2019 | 07:21 AM
  #12  
Quote: How much higher does it sit? Having the rear an inch or so higher is a good thing.

is this the correct angle of the rear leafs?
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Oct 11, 2019 | 10:10 AM
  #13  
That isn't ideal but sometimes that's the best you can get when using stock shackles and hangers.
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Oct 11, 2019 | 10:51 AM
  #14  
Quote: That isn't ideal but sometimes that's the best you can get when using stock shackles and hangers.
Awesome please recommend the correct shackles!
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Oct 11, 2019 | 12:11 PM
  #15  
Ok, I called Rough Country and they said they have changed the rear leaf springs to a stiffer version. Said that after a few months of driving they will level out.

I guess I wait.

Thanks everyone
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