jjjjeremy

So I'm looking at changing out the suspension on my 99, and, looking at the cost of shocks and springs on Rockauto, I figure I might as well buy a complete aftermarket suspension setup and even get some lift for larger tires. The only thing holding me back is the rumors that a lot of the cheaper aftermarket lift kits will start to sag after a few years. Because the options available from Rockauto are already "aftermarket" OEM equivalent (and not true OEM) is there any reassurance that the OEM equivalent parts are going to be any better than the aftermarket lift kits?

diskman

I sniped this list from somewhere a while back. It will give you an OEM 2" lift found in the "Upcountry" package. I guess it will start at 3 or so but settle into 2.

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UPCOUNTRY OPTION
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If you would like to duplicate the factory Upcountry option in its more important parts (i.e., the suspension) in your Cherokee XJ 1991-1996 (and probably earlier and later years), you can purchase everything here at Amazon. You will need the following:

Moog CC782 coil springs (sold by the pair) - .Moog CC782 Variable Rate Coil Spring
Crown 4886186AA leaf springs (sold each, so order two) - . Crown Automotive 4886186AA Leaf Spring Assembly; For Use w/LT/ZGW/ZVW; Heavy Duty; 4 Leaf;
Zone 2100J 0.75 inch spacers (the Crowns have a little too much lift: these restore the correct front-to-rear ratio) - . Zone Offroad Coil Spring Spacers 3/4" (pair)
Monroe Sensa Trac 37083 front shocks (adequate and a good value, order two) - . Monroe 37083 Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber
Monroe Sensa Trac 37027 rear shocks (as above, order two) - . Monroe 37027 Sensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber
Energy Suspension 22109B rear polyurethane bushings (easier to install, GREASE POLY's THOROUGHLY!!!) - . Rear Leaf Spring Bushing Set Black 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ # 22109G

Tbone289

That setup will settle to 1.5-1.75" front, 1-1.25" rear. The Upcountry package was a 1" lift. I have nearly the same setup and recommend it.

jjjjeremy

Thanks for the help! So those are quality aftermarket parts for a slight lift? Or the stock parts used for the upcountry?

Tbone289

Those are quality aftermarket parts. If you do a search for the Moog and Crown spring part numbers you will find lots of discussion about them. It's really your choice on the shocks. I went with longer Bilstein shocks spec'd for 2-3" lift with my setup, and glad I did. The Crown springs are higher rate than stock and have better load carrying ability, but therefore will ride stiffer than factory springs. Bilstien 5100 shocks will provide more control than OEM, but likewise will not be as soft riding as OEM.

Caish

Buy it once.
Determine what size tires you want.
31x10.50 need a 3" lift.
Why not get a whole kit or even just lift coils, from Zome or i really love my superlift coils. Ride better than stock.
3" lift, I used JK Rubicon Shocks, love the ride again.
out back someone else did, and used a flunky home made shackle, i replaced the shackle with a set of S10 lower sheckles, flipped over, and had to narrow the bushing a little, for another 1.5" lift.
My leafs appear to be a bastard pack, but ride quite well if some.
Another option look at is the Pro-comp leafs on amazon I recently got a pair from a junker i bought, but hadn't used them yet, going on my next XJ build.
There is lots of options.
pick a tire size and then build to it.
Remember to large tire and your not going to be happy with your stock XJ gearing....

jjjjeremy

Thanks for the info.

I'm not really interested in the lift, I'm more interested in replacing the stock suspension with quality parts, and if I get a lift out of the deal, then great. I'm likely going to go with 235/75r15s. I have half a mind to go with 30x9.5 because I really like the look on a 2" lift, but I really don't want to go down the path of throwing in new LCAs, or getting different rims with less backspacing and potentially trimming the fenders, etc, etc.

mikesignal

you won't need LCA's with a 2" lift, or different rims, and you won't need to trim the fenders

jjjjeremy

Is it the lift that causes the rub with the LCAs? Or the bigger tire size. My poking around has lead me to a few threads that say 30s rub the LCAs at full lock with a 0-2" lift, but that 235/75s are clear on all fronts.

Caish

Stock Jeep wheels, when i had 235/75 never had a rub issue on my 87, but wifes 99 was stock and it would occasionally rub the inner fender, but never the LCA.

EZEARL

My 235's would hit the LCA on the drivers side a bit in extreme off camber situations with stock rims and suspension. Only less backspace or a stop adjustment would have fixed it.

I and a few others here recently installed the Up Country option similar to the one in post #2. I still run 235/75-15's but on 15x7" rims with 4.25" bs.

mikesignal

from my understanding it's the larger tires--hence the need for changing the rim with different backspacing to move them further from the LCA's.

also to run 30's, you need 2" of lift, although I heard some people run them with the 1" upcountry suspension.

You can get the upcountry coils and leaf springs, add 1" coil spacers to the front and 1" lift shackles to the rear to go a little higher. Then pair that with JK/JKU shocks and you will be fine. That will get you 2" with OEM ride quality. The JK/JKU shocks can be found on Ebay or Craigslist (new take offs) for around $50 for all 4.

If you want to go higher there are other options using OEM type parts. You really need to decide what height you want, and then start looking at the options.

Martlor13

30s are very darn near the same size as 235s. I ran them at stock height for a bit. But I prefer 235s because they are cheaper, with more options, and you're almost essentially getting the same tire as a 30

mikesignal

yes, I know-actual size difference is + or - .5", depending on the tire.

he had mentioned 2" lift and 30's, that's why I mentioned it.

Tbone289

These pics might help give you a better idea of what the stance of the "Upcountry" setup is like as referred to in post #2. I've never had any rub with 235/75 15's on stock backspacing.

Stock wheels (5.25" BS) with worn 235/75 15's:




Black Rock 997 "Soft-8 style" wheels (4.25" BS) with same setup, new 235/75 15's:



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