Ok guys, I have a 98 Cherokee 4.0L with 186000 miles. The rear leafs have about .5" sag. I just got a set of 3" RC coil springs and RC LCAs off craigslist for cheap $. Looking for suggestions on leaf springs to go with the coils.

 

1. Make a bastard back
2. rusty's leafs
3. Rubicon Express Leafs
4. Old man emu leafs
just a few options

 

In no particular order:

Rusty's
Old Man Emu
Zone

I don't recommend RE because they're about the stiffest spring out there, and will sit at least an inch higher than advertised. This can cause vibe issues that require more $ to correct (TC drop/SYE), which is what most people wanting a 3" lift want to avoid.

I don't recommend RC leafs for a plethora of reasons.

I personally have OME, and love them. Look at the three I recommended, do some research on the reviews of them, look up prices for each (make sure to include shipping and bushings if they're not included to find the price difference, then decide.

 

Ome. Add some shackles, Relocation brackets and/or just lift shackles. Nice ride great flex good price. http://www.jeep4x4center.com/old-man...b-cs034rb.html

 

I have OME medium duty leaves. He wouldn't need shackles to sit at 3" with these, haha! At least til he put a back bumper on it and got them to settle. Just remember with the OME leafs you will need to get bushings. I went with moog from rockauto.

 

Ome for the win

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I thought about OME leafs but was concerned about the height it would give me. I do plan on a aftermarket bumper in the future, probably Detours with a tire mount.

 

Add some shackles, good to go

 

Shackles like the Boomerang ones http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...REAR-BOOMERANG

 

Yes sir.

 

OME leafs come in different spring rates from what I've read. Do I go with light or medium duty?

 

I believe the spring rate is the same. Spring rate translates to how well they ride/how still they are. The only difference, as I understand, is the actual height. They're both listed as 2" lift springs, but the medium duty has more arch, meaning they sit at 2" if you have a heavier vehicle (with heavy bumper, gear, roof rack, etc.). Otherwise they sit around 3". The light duty springs will sit closer to 2" on a stock jeep.

Remember, more lift isn't always better. My medium duty leafs have a poor shackle angle and more lift than 2" because I don't have weight on the back of my jeep. I do plan on adding a pretty hefty rear bumper soon, so that'll help flatten them out and I'll go up a notch on my shackles to compensate.

That said, even with a shackle angle just past the dreaded 90°, they still ride better than my stock leafs, they just jar you when you hit a hard bump/pothole at speed...

 

Ive ran RC leafs, Rustys, and now RE.

My thoughts..
RCs 4.5" sucked dick. They rode like ****, and my shackle angle was worse than 90*
Rustys 3" and 4.5", slightly better than 90*, flexed pretty good, felt solid.
RE 3.5": Flex Ok, 90* Angle, 5 inches of lift, got em brand new for like 80 a piece, wont complain.

OME's are next on my list.

 

3" lift?


stock springs, lift shackles, and relocation brackets.

 

I'm gonna order the Rubricon Express 3.5" springs.

Currently my rear suspension sits 2" stock above height (3" AAL w/2" blocks). At this point it's just easier to replace the springs than try and fix them. Hopefully it's a bit stiffer than the current rate