2000 2Dr XJ Sport... suspension is in need of replacement. I was planning on putting in a lift kit/components, but decided to stick with stock ride height. While I was planning on lifting, I was getting excited about reported quality and ride improvement of OME and Metalcloak products. Quality of ride/handling for mostly daily driving and quality/longevity of components are primary considerations. With all that in mind, what would you recommend for shocks, springs, control arms, etc - again, without lifting?

Oh, almost forgot to mention in case it’s a consideration: I’d love to do a new rear bumper with swing tire mount.

I appreciate any help.

 

I've done this on 2 XJs. I used Crown HD coils in the rear and Moog HD coils up front. This gave me an UpCounty height XJ which is +1 inch over a "regular" XJ. You could do it without the upcounty height by going with the non HD springs. For shocks I used Monroe OESpectrum which have done the job for me but I'm sure you could go better ride quality with Bilsteins or OME.

 

Thanks a lot for the reply. Do I understand correctly that you did away with the leaf springs and went with a coil over set up in the rear?

 

All new shocks
new leaf packs with bushings
New control arm bushings
New track bar bushings
All new sway bar bushings front and rear
new coil spring bushings for the front
Iron Rock Offroad adjustable shackles for the rear. You will probably want that extra bit of lift when you install a tire carrier bumper setup

in my opinion, all that combined should be just about the best ride you will be able to get

 

Most OEM replacement springs - especially leafs - will provide some amount of lift. It's kind of inevitable. There are some leafs from Quadratec that are about as stock height as you can get, but they're soft and will likely sag with some extra weight.

I didn't want to lift my 2dr but was in the same boat as you - my original suspension was shot (especially the leafs). I pieced together my own version of an Upcountry Clone using Old Man Emu coils and shocks, Rancho leafs, IRO shackles, Rusty's trackbar and some Timkin end links. I ADORE this setup. It's so nice for a daily driver very occasional wheeler and damn near perfect for long distances on dirt roads. My GF drives this every day.

I'd piece together something if I were you to create an Upcountry clone. The setup that Downs described is pretty cheap too.

 

No that was a mistype. Crown leaves on the rear moog coils upfront.

 

If you can swing the OME setup I would go that route for sure. I've heard they ride like a dream. The Moog/Crown setup rides pretty good but you can tell it's a Jeeps haha.

When I redid mine I did like trailer trash above talked about and basically rebuild everything. New bushings, track bar, steering components, ect ect. Took the Jeep from riding like a row boat in the ocean on it's bump stops to riding like a Cherokee again.

 

Great replies, folks; thanks so much. I don’t mind spending on the OME. I thought their minimum lift was in the 3” range. Am I wrong? I didn’t want to get into dropping the transfer case or taking risks with/compromising drivetrain components, especially as this will be 95% daily driver. That’s why I wanted to stay stock. The point about lifting a bit to accommodate heavier bumpers is a good one. Is 1.5” in a safe range for the drivetrain?

 

1.5 inch you'll be fine. UpCounty height was around that from the factory. You'll have to call OME but I'm pretty sure they sell 1 or 1.5 inch coils and you can remove leaves from one of their shorter packs to make for a shorter rear lift. I know they used to have 1.5 inch leaves. I'm guessing they weren't popular enough and they stopped manufacture.

 

OME 2930 coils provide right around 1.5" of lift depending on weight in the front. They do make 3.5" versions if I remember correctly.

Their leaf springs are grossly missadvertised - I've seen people still have 3" of lift even after removing a leaf. That's why I matched their 2930 coils with Rancho 1.5" leafs. It's very level.


I have driveline vibes at this height though. They're not bad but I will be getting rid of the slip yoke sooner than later.

 

I wonder if that’s partly a function of the 2DR vs 4DR.

 

they all use the same suspension parts.

 

I was thinking the 4DR is heavier. I thought I read somewhere that 2DR tends to lift more in the rear kit-for-kit. I’m a neophyte, though, so I’m just spitballing.