Sorry for long thread, just trying to lay all the background down:

Just got my first XJ a few weeks back and one of the first concerns I tackled was fixing a rear-end sag. It measured around 16" on each side at the rear. So I replaced them with HD leaf packs from Crown. After some settling, they seem to have found their home at about 18.75" on each side.

I really wasn't planning to lift too much right now, but I really didn't like the forward lean the Jeep had after changing for the HD leaf packs... sooo I replaced the springs up front with HD springs to try and even it back out. Granted, we just got them on today (thanks to HighRoller for the assist btw) the front is at 20.25". Had no clue these things would raise it up THIS high.

So now I have about 1.75" of lift in the back and 2.75" of lift in the front over stock. I'll probably go back and add 1" shackles in the back to even it back out.

My question is this: I still have the stock shocks on (remember, wasn't really intending on getting this much lift... silly me). From what I understand, some bar pin eliminators should give my shocks some extra travel; will this be sufficient? Or will I be needing new shocks? (or anything else for that matter)

Thanks in advance,
Brett

 

You won't gain but maybe a inch of extension with BPE's. If you're on a budget, you can score a set of JK take off shocks cheap. Those are common for minor lifts. It's a conversion but it's easy to do. You most likely got springs for the Up Country package which is a bit higher than a regular XJ.

 

I have 2.5 inches of lift all around (with my winch in back). My BPE's extend the (stock) shocks around 1.5 inches. This is close enough to OK for me. But a better solution would be longer shocks.

 

You make these BPE's or store-bought? Pretty sure it should settle to around 2.5" all around after I add the shackles. Your 1.5" BPE's would probably work for me if I could get my hands on some.

 

Your best bet would definitely be to get new shocks. But I mean, BPE could theoretically work with only that much lift. Check out the ones made by Teraflex. They look like they'll give you the most extra length of others out there. I actually have a set of Teralex front bar pin eliminators coming in the mail tomorrow and I can measure em for you if you'd like

 

I'd be all about getting longer shocks because I know that would be my BEST option. But the truth is: I JUST put these shocks on not knowing before-hand that I would actually be adding that much lift with these springs.

Just looked up the Teraflex BPE's... looked like a good bit of added shock travel so I put some on order. I'm going to need some to add longer travel shocks anyway right? I'll just throw them in and see how it goes.

Side question: Will everyday road travel be alright for now on the stock stocks until these come in?

 

Mine are from Rocky Road
http://www.rocky-road.com/xjbarpin.html

(Link says 1.25 inch shock extension)

 

You don't need to put on BPEs when you put on longer shocks. I'm at roughly 4.5" of lift and have my shocks on stock bar pins and it's worked just fine.

To answer your question, I'd assume you'd be okay for now on stock shocks. I take it she's your DD then? Mount em up and take some pictures!

 

Yeah she's my DD. Just put some 1" BPE's on order and 1"-2" adjustable shackles (I don't like the stance with it being higher in the front). I'll set the shackles at 1" and it'll put me at 20" up front and about 19.75" in the back. So roughly 2.5" and 2.75" of lift over stock, respectively. Throw the 1" BPE's on and I should get my shock travel limited good enough for now on the stock ones, yes?

I have before and after pics of my leaf spring install so I'll get them sized and thrown up here; still need to take the after pics for the front coils (its raining right now). Then when I get the shackles and BPE's thrown in I'll get some more up.

The Jeep newb in me turned a simple rear sag fix into a 2.5" lift... oh well haha

Thanks for the input guys!

 

Here's the before pic of the leaf sag fix:


And right after putting the HD leaf packs in:

 

The rain let up so I got a quick shot of the after for the coils install:

 

I would leave it how it is for now and see how things settle it.

 

1" shackles going on when they come in. Should have put new ones in when I changed the leaf packs as they were in rough shape anyway. If the coils settle a bit, cool... I'd rather the rear be a tad higher for room to sag with cargo weight.

Now my tires look too small... one thing quickly leads to another with these things... found that out quick.

 

Give it a year, it'll be sitting on 37's and a 8" longarm. Jeeps are like a virus.

If it were cheap, everyone would do it.

 

My thinking precisely. Hence my earlier comment about having my winch in back. Empty, the rear sits at 3".