How much flex is necessary/ideal?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
How much flex is necessary/ideal?
While I assume a person could make an argument that MORE suspension travel/flex is always better, I would think that for real world situations, there's a point of diminishing returns.
So that makes my question: "How much flex is necessary/ideal?" At what point does an XJ have enough suspension travel to be a very good "go anywhere (within reason)" XJ?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it also seems flex in the front is more important than rear (many people live happily with leaf springs in the rear but go long arm in front).
So that makes my question: "How much flex is necessary/ideal?" At what point does an XJ have enough suspension travel to be a very good "go anywhere (within reason)" XJ?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it also seems flex in the front is more important than rear (many people live happily with leaf springs in the rear but go long arm in front).
#2
CF Veteran
I have 13" travel in front and the same in the rear. But you sacrifice cornering with that much. But sure rides nice and works well off road. The average lift kit has leaves that are too stiff in the rear to flex much. Makes the vehicle retain good cornering and is good for liability reasons
#3
Member
Thread Starter
I have 13" travel in front and the same in the rear. But you sacrifice cornering with that much. But sure rides nice and works well off road. The average lift kit has leaves that are too stiff in the rear to flex much. Makes the vehicle retain good cornering and is good for liability reasons
- What’s your rear suspension consist of?
#4
CF Veteran
It depends on what you do and if you have lockers or not. Flex isn't as important if you have lockers because if you lift a tire you can still move.
#5
CF Veteran
#6
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes
on
12 Posts
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well, that is a good question. I never measured it. I have about 50% compression with the weight on the ground front and rear. Rear is bastard pack with Isuzu leaves with bottom leaf inverted, shackles 4" longer than stock. Here are some vids of it
https://youtu.be/6J8yOdevVyc
https://youtu.be/6-zH3YIwHm0
https://youtu.be/6J8yOdevVyc
https://youtu.be/6-zH3YIwHm0
Trending Topics
#8
CF Veteran
My little 4" lift has about 12" travel up front and 10" in the rear. I have yet to find something it wont climb. Having a locker in the rear really helps out. A front locker would help even more but I havent found the need for one yet. Just got to choose the right path.
#9
CF Veteran
That is a good question. The average guy, not that much. I live in an area where the rocks are big and getting bigger due to erosion on trails. In the Rubicon/Fordyce area, anything that gets used ends up being bedrock unless it is maintained. Both those roads were accessible with two wheel drive cars at one time.
#10
Member
Thread Starter
What rear leaf springs/shackles/etc. are you running?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gmv93
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
21
11-18-2010 03:11 PM
mikesplumbing
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
16
05-06-2010 09:09 AM
Ruttenit
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
9
12-26-2009 06:55 AM
xjjeep
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
10
07-27-2009 12:09 PM
hubbazoot
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
14
11-19-2008 11:59 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)