I hear you all about being undecided. I researched till I was blue in the face. Deciding factor for me was when I had the extended shackles with the oem leaf springs, the first leaf spring flattened out right at the end of the end of the second leaf. On the Ranchos, the second leaf actually extends beyond and around the first leaf. I figured that would be a good thing. I went with the OME coils because of all the positive comments about their lifts. I don't know that you can go wrong with the Crown or Dorman leafs. Lot's of guys run them happily. I couldn't find but one or two guys on other forums that ran the Ranchos and they were happy. I took a chance and am extremely happy. I really wanted the OME leafs but they quit making the 2" set and now you have to remove a leaf from the new pack to get 2". However, everyone says it still ends up being 3"-3.5" instead of 2". I didn't want to go that high. Mine sits exactly where I want it. It goes and does everything I need it to do. Keep this going and let us all know what you guys ended up with and how you like it.

 

How do you feel about the front being 1 inch taller than the rear? I don't have a good reference, but from my understanding the rear is only ~ 0.5 inches lower with the stock suspension (17" rear, 17.5" front). Does your setup look good/ bad/ not noticeable?

I'm planning on going this route (Moog CC782s, 3/4" spacers, Crown HD Leafs) and I'm wondering if it would look better with or without the spacers.

However... this whole thread is throwing me for a loop and just when I thought I had the whole thing figured out, these options come back up!

 

Well, i ended up ordering the Dormans, Crown stock shackles and Zone nitros (black body). I liked how the zones rode on my Cummins. Im going to go from there. My front is at 18"and rear is 17" now. We'll see how she sits after i install the dormans then go from there.

 

Please post pics and let us know how she drives when you're done.

 

So here's a pic with Moog CC782s, 3/4" spacers, Crown HD Leafs,IRO shackles set at zero lift. Tires are 235/75-15's on 15x7 rims w/4.25" b/s. Front measures 19.5" and the rear 19". These are at all for corners on a level garage floor. Waiting for parts I ordered with plans to measure from axles to "frame".

Before:


After:

 

I feel fine. I don't like "rake" on an XJ. How do you feel about it? See the pic below. This is the setup with 235/75 r15 BFGs.




Here's a more recent pic with Hankook Dynapro ATM 235/75 r15:

 

I am finding this thread very interesting, as I replaced most of the suspension items on my 98, and have been having issues with OEM replacement leaf springs going flat as soon as I install them. The best I can find is there are supposed to be that way, and just seems odd to me. And while my jeep is pretty much level, (went with shackle relocation brackets to get the rear lift) my springs are pretty much flat, and would like a little more lift out of them, for when I load camping stuff in the back etc....

 

which springs and part number do you have?

 

The stock leafs are pretty much flat when loaded, and are fairly low-rate (soft). That's a good thing and a bad thing. Flat, low-rate leafs are great for flex, but not so great for hauling. I'm pleased with the considerably improved load capacity with the Crown HD springs, and they still flex satisfactorily as well.

 

Pmondo,
The first set I believe were the basic OEM Dorman replacements, the second was the Crown HD replacements. While the second HD replacements are fairing a little better, they are essentially flat.

 

So, you're looking for lift? Because that is what you'll get from a spring with more arch.

 

"While the second HD replacements are fairing a little better, they are essentially flat."

I can't understand why your Crown HD's are flat unless it's got something to do with those relocation brackets? They have a 7" arch to them. In the second pic I posted you can see the arch of the Crown HD spring. I've got a good bit of weight in the cargo area also. Just over 2k miles on them.

 

I was was wondering the same thing Earl. I have 8K on mine now, with some heavy towing, and they have the same arch they had when they were new. Yours look good. Mine look the same, you just can't see it in my pictures.

 

I been keeping a eye on the mileage you post. Good to know everything is holding up. Although I occasionally tow more often I'll have a good bit of weight in the back. Hasn't squatted to the point I'd go to the 3/4" lift hole in the shackle though.

 

Thanks! Makes more sense for me to see your pics and figure it out for myself

These look great! I have 35/75 R15s too and there's like.. no clearance around the tires. Rear is sagging and it frustrates me. I think this configuration is perfect to not only get rid of the sag, but give a nice amount of clearance.

I like how yours sits. Looks just about perfect.

I don't mind a little rake though. So I might consider running the IRO adjustable shackles so I could adjust if I didn't like it after installation.