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If it turns out I need an SYE to eliminate any weird vibes, I wouldn't be able to purchase one due to the lack of funds.
The tires on the Jeep are only a few months old. I don't have the funds to replace them.
I need at least 18 mpg. Jeeps aren't good on gas. Lifts help embrace that fact.
I like the look of the Upcountry Jeeps. I'm kinda aiming for that look.
I'm a wuss.
I decided to aim for somewhere around the 2" mark. I do not have any measurements at the moment to see how much my wagon is a saggin', but I'm going to assume it's at least 1 1/2 inches, so this will be at least a 3" lift (in accordance to the Jeep's current state). So, here is my current build:
I was hoping to stay below $600, but I'd rather save up some more cash and do it right the first time than have flat leafs and leaking shocks a short while later (looking at you, Rough Country). Also, the previous owners had the Jeep undercoated, which was nice, but they then decided to store it at the bottom of a lake for a few years, so everything else is pretty rusty. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so I might as well attack the rust while it's only on the surface. I'm going to shop around and see if I can find better prices, but Amazon has free shipping, and that's pretty hard to beat, especially when it's heavy objects like these (on a side note, the delivery person is going to hate me).
Anyway, I was wondering if I should go with the Crown leaf springs to save a $100, but the reviews are hit and miss. They also don't come with bushings installed, so I gotta go through the hassle of doing that. I talked to a few guys this evening that use Crown leafs on their rigs personally and say they perform pretty well for the price point.
What're everyone's opinions here? What do I need to add? What should I look out for? Any tips for when I get the parts and start to put them together? Thanks in advance.
I feel ya tryna get every last mpg you can with Cherokees😔,
Your not gonna get that good but that's beside the point you will determine if it is worth it. I was also on a budget when I first got mine (still am just a little bigger). I used 2 in coil spacers in the front which are pretty easy to install with coil compressors from most parts stores. (Be sure to get an alignment afterwards) that's about all you have to do for the
front if I remember right, the rear is a whole different animal.
If your leafs arent to s shaped, or saggy you can leave the leafs the way they are and get longer shackles and Fab or buy shackle relocation boxes Wich drop the shackle down. I fabbed mine for about 25$ and it leveled out perfect. Granted a year later there sagging and I'm building a bastard pack but it will do the job.
Few comments/suggestions. I see that you don't list rear shocks, are you planning on just leaving what you have? To get a hair more length out of them if they're still in good condition you can use the sway bar brackets off of the rear of a Cherokee to make bar pin eliminators that will gain you some length.
There's always more than one way to get to the same end point, but some routes will result in better ride quality and handling. Spending that much to refresh the whole suspension isn't bad and will result in a better ride than some other ways. I've tried a few different suspension set ups and I've found what I like and what works for me.
Also, with 35s, 5.5" lift and a good bit of other weight, I can get 18+ mpg on long highway trips. Last trip I went on I got about 18 on the way there and about 15 on the way back. Driving style and conditions affect gas mileage a lot.
On the leaf spring bushings. Going in is a lot easier than going out in my experience. Especially with new leafs and new bushings.
looks like you are sitting about the same as me after installing a pair of 755# leaf springs from General Spring. Now I am trying to figure out which coil spring or coil spring / spacer combo I need to raise the front somewhere between 2" and 3". Part of my issue is I don't know how much my front is sagging if any. Also, I don't want to just throw a spacer on these old springs. I am curious to know what you plan to do.
That picture is old, since then I have added, in the rear; rubicon express boomerang shackles and HD offroad engineering standard shackle relocation boxes. In the front I now have 3 inch Iron Rock Offroad coils and 1.75" coil spacers, there is some rake but nothing unreasonble.
Few comments/suggestions. I see that you don't list rear shocks, are you planning on just leaving what you have? To get a hair more length out of them if they're still in good condition you can use the sway bar brackets off of the rear of a Cherokee to make bar pin eliminators that will gain you some length.
There's always more than one way to get to the same end point, but some routes will result in better ride quality and handling. Spending that much to refresh the whole suspension isn't bad and will result in a better ride than some other ways. I've tried a few different suspension set ups and I've found what I like and what works for me.
Also, with 35s, 5.5" lift and a good bit of other weight, I can get 18+ mpg on long highway trips. Last trip I went on I got about 18 on the way there and about 15 on the way back. Driving style and conditions affect gas mileage a lot.
On the leaf spring bushings. Going in is a lot easier than going out in my experience. Especially with new leafs and new bushings.
I rarely do highway driving. It's mostly just around town stuff, and regardless of what vehicle you drive, gas mileage in the city isn't ever good.
If I did 3", I probably wouldn't need an SYE, but I don't like the idea of a transfer case drop (it's just a band-aid). I'd rather do it once and do it right.
Last edited by Password12345678; 05-02-2019 at 12:32 PM.
Reason: Forgot to mention something
Hello everyone, I apologize for not doing a follow-up on this post. I was ready to pull the trigger but the Jeep starting making a terrible noise (mentioned in a thread I made in the stock XJ forum, you can check it out if you want). It has stopped making the noise for now, but I'm going to hold off for maybe a week or two until I'm sure nothing is going to go wrong again.
Anyway, I found this Reddit thread about someone who with went the Crown leafs. I hit him up a week ago and asked him how his setup was going... He said it was as good as the day he installed it (no sagging, no weird creaks and groans, etc). I also have this Google doc that's has some information you guys might find useful. I hope this helps and I'll let you guys know how the setup performs once it's all said and done.
I’m installing crown leafs right now, or as time allows (usually only an hour or less a day)
i didnt have a press and found on the ole inter web a suggestion to get the bushings in. And t works.
all thread , nuts, floor/flange ends, and washers. I’ll try to add pics.
It has been a long time, sorry about that guys. Anyway, I have the lift installed. It rides amazingly (compared to how it rode before, of course). The ride is stiff, yet comfortable. It feels significantly more controllable, especially when turning. When I hit a bump, it absorbs it, as compared to kinda absorbing it and then the Jeep bouncing a few times afterward (speed bumps were not fun). I go more in-depth in my build thread. Thanks a lot for your help, guys.
It has been a long time, sorry about that guys. Anyway, I have the lift installed. It rides amazingly (compared to how it rode before, of course). The ride is stiff, yet comfortable. It feels significantly more controllable, especially when turning. When I hit a bump, it absorbs it, as compared to kinda absorbing it and then the Jeep bouncing a few times afterward (speed bumps were not fun). I go more in-depth in my build thread. Thanks a lot for your help, guys.
My XJ had new Crown HD springs and Quadratec nitro max duty shocks when I purchased 5 months ago. The whole setup makes for a really, really stiff ride. It had about 2" lift in the back but has since settled to 1 1/2" and ride has gotten a little better, but not much. handles really tight but you feel every little nook and cranny in the road. Still a much better ride than my old 98 with inverted springs.
Wondering if it could be the shocks causing the stiff ride? I'm running the Crown leaf springs also. Had KYB MonoMax shocks on it. Went with red JK take off shocks for a bit more travel BUT I also got a more comfortable ride.
I went with the Dorman springs and Monroe shocks, so I cannot speak for how your ride is. It's stiffer of course, but I can't feel every nook in the road. I have experienced a tiny bit of settling, but it has just a tiny bit of rake, which is what I wanted.
When looking into the Crown leafs, I saw they got mixed reviews, so I would not be surprised if you end up changing them out for another pair.
Not that it means anything to ya since you already installed it, but I too pieced together a small lift because my Jeep was handling poorly due to blown suspension (the rear leafs were whooped and rusted). It's basically an Old Man Emu 1.5" lift (front coils and sport shocks all around) but with Rancho leafs and IRO shackles in the rear. I didn't want to deal with saggy Crowns or way-too-tall OMEs. I've been very impressed with the Ranchos so far. When I air down and disconnect the front sway bar, this thing can haul butt on dirt roads - it's awesome!
Only negative is this setup wasn't cheap (I've given up on trying to be mindful of a budget when it comes to cars). Maybe this will inspire someone else looking for an Upcountry style lift.
Rancho 1.5" leaf springs, IRO 0" shackles, Old Man Emu sport shocks Rancho 1.5" leaf springs, IRO 0" shackles, Old Man Emu sport shocks
04-28-2019, 09:18 PM
