mounting coilovers front and rear
Thread Starter
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 664
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Has anyone seen any pics or have built an engine cage to mount coilovers? I have a set of coilovers that I cannot seem to sell... fox 2.0 coilovers, 9" stroke, 26" eye to eye x 4 plus fox 2.0 shock, 16" stroke, 32" eye to eye... so I would probably use them on the xj. I have pondered this before but thought selling them would be a great thing.
Anyways, I am ok with cutting into the wheel wells as well as cutting into the hood.
As for the rear, well I probably have a great idea of what I will do there... I may do EVO lever system or most likely build shock hoops and install the shocks like they do on jeepspeed.
Thanks for your help!
Anyways, I am ok with cutting into the wheel wells as well as cutting into the hood.
As for the rear, well I probably have a great idea of what I will do there... I may do EVO lever system or most likely build shock hoops and install the shocks like they do on jeepspeed.
Thanks for your help!
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,671
Likes: 11
From: LI, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, bolt ons for days...
9s are way too short, you can rebuild those and put a longer shaft and run them up front. the 16s will work out back. you want to run the c/o or pull the hardware and run them as shocks? obv you need to link the rear if you want to run the c/o back there, but theyll work as a shock. check out vetteboy's build on pirate to see his engine cage (in the cherokee section)
here's my rear thing to give you another idea...

those are bilstein 2.0s
here's my rear thing to give you another idea...

those are bilstein 2.0s
Thread Starter
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 664
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Are you running leafs in the back? No wait you said you were running a 4 link in the rear. If you only have the two shocks in the rear, you shouldnt be able to have alot of weight back there b/c the lack of spring, right?
What did you do for your front suspension?
What did you do for your front suspension?
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena, MD
Year: 1987
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: Renix 4.0
uhm... stock is two springs so i am confused. if he is running a 4 link, that means he has coils in the back.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,671
Likes: 11
From: LI, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, bolt ons for days...
Wtf are you talking about? I'm running leafs and 2.0 shocks, I posted the pic to show you an idea on how you can mount a coilover if you wanted. I originally thought you knew what you were talking about but now I'm not so sure.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 664
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
How long is your stroke on your shocks in the rear? I saw you tied your shock hoops into your cage, good job. And I really like that you did a clean job with the holes on the shock mounts. Did you put grommets or rubber bushings around each shock to prevent water and other debris from not only coming in but damaging your carpet.
Thread Starter
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 664
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
9s are way too short, you can rebuild those and put a longer shaft and run them up front. the 16s will work out back. you want to run the c/o or pull the hardware and run them as shocks? obv you need to link the rear if you want to run the c/o back there, but theyll work as a shock. check out vetteboy's build on pirate to see his engine cage (in the cherokee section)
here's my rear thing to give you another idea...

those are bilstein 2.0s
here's my rear thing to give you another idea...

those are bilstein 2.0s
Where do you put your spare tire?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,671
Likes: 11
From: LI, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, bolt ons for days...
No need to be rude! I was under the impression that you were linked in the rear and was wondering where you spring was coming from. Since you are running leafs then that makes sense.
How long is your stroke on your shocks in the rear? I saw you tied your shock hoops into your cage, good job. And I really like that you did a clean job with the holes on the shock mounts. Did you put grommets or rubber bushings around each shock to prevent water and other debris from not only coming in but damaging your carpet.
How long is your stroke on your shocks in the rear? I saw you tied your shock hoops into your cage, good job. And I really like that you did a clean job with the holes on the shock mounts. Did you put grommets or rubber bushings around each shock to prevent water and other debris from not only coming in but damaging your carpet.

cage isn't done yet, it isn't tied in at the bottom anywhere at the moment. spare is in my backyard
i'm gonna build a rear bumper/tire carrier.
Thread Starter
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 664
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
oh, sorry dude. you just never know with some people on this forum... shocks are just under 13" stroke, theres nothing there to keep crap out, and i cut the hole JUST big enough to fit the shock through. i was thinking about getting a shifter boot to seal it up, but honestly, nothing has made it in DDing in the rain, driving on the beach.. havent had to go through mud or anything (dont like to) so havent had the chance to really see. i'm gonna need to fully seal it eventually. i have that rubber mat thing back there too.
yea, tied into the top halo thing.

cage isn't done yet, it isn't tied in at the bottom anywhere at the moment. spare is in my backyard
i'm gonna build a rear bumper/tire carrier.
yea, tied into the top halo thing.

cage isn't done yet, it isn't tied in at the bottom anywhere at the moment. spare is in my backyard
i'm gonna build a rear bumper/tire carrier.What are your plans for a tire carrier?
Thread Starter
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 664
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I bought a bronco tire carrier to install on my xj. I havent installed it yet. I have to do some fab work and reinforce the side where the mount is going on. I hope it works out good although I will have to modify it to make it work... I believe.
What are your plans for a tire carrier?
What are your plans for a tire carrier?
In the rear, the mounts for the shocks on the axle are staggered and below the axle. Did you put your lower mounts in a different spot and I am thinking you didnt stagger them? If you added different mounts, did you make new mounts or buy new ones? And if you bought new ones where did you get them? Pics are very helpful.
I really like your ideas and will probably end up doing it. I am not sure as to my cage though.
Thanks!



