NE_XJ

Hey all, new to the forum, just got an xj after owning a handful of wrangler and grand Cherokee. (All of which were built to do some amazing overlanding)

I'm looking to build my 98, 2 door XJ.

​​​​​Chry 8.25, d30hp, 4.0, np231, ax15.

Looking to build a bastard pack, found some ranger leafs and coils, leafs are 2.5" wide just like my xj, both have the 4º off center I bolt,

Can I buy these and use them with my xj main spring considering the ranger leafs are 54" long?

First time building a bastard pack, gonna search for more threads.

Hooah!

caged

not familiar with using ranger leafs, but i'm sure it can be done the same.

i've used s-10 leafs and dakota leaf packs many times.

i'm sure you can just do what we all do and cut the eyes off the main leafs from the donor pack, and stuff them under the xj main leaf and call it a day.
you will need new center bolts and u-bolts tho.

one of the sets (can't remember s-10 or dakota), we had to ream out the center hole, which is a royal pita, as spring steel is killer hardened. the use of a drill press makes it much easier tho. you may have to do the same with ranger leafs, not sure.

the s-10 pack under the main xj would net about 4.5 inches if i recall. use MJ shackles for another 3/4 inch and nicer shackle angle.

they're cheap and easy, and can work well.

NE_XJ

Thanks caged,

I was worried about using my leafs. They're so worn out that they're bent backwards and sagging awful.

I'm not so sure they can be saved. Looks like the pack came undone as well.

caged

you can still keep your main, just lose the rest and replace with the bastard pack.

how much lift are you trying to get from this? if you are still stock, you may want to get rid of the main from the donor pack, and just use the others under your main.

bastard packs are a trial and error type thing to get the height you want, so be prepared to pull apart and reconfigure a couple times.

tighten the u-bolts with the weight of the jeep on the springs, not while on jack stands.

NE_XJ

Hey caged,

I was hoping to get either 3" - 4" of lift.
Right now it's the stock springs that are dead. Got a better look today and it turns out thath the passenger side has a snapped spring.

4.3L XJ

If you are building a bastard pack for lifting an XJ the trick is to use leaves that have more free arch than an XJ. Free arch for an XJ should be about 4". Most others are more than that. And if I understand your question, the center bolts are available at parts stores. Get long ones since you will have a flatter main than bottom leaves. But don't try to suck them together with the bolt. They are soft for a reason. Use a clamp to draw them together first. Don't cut off the extra length until you are happy with the results

NE_XJ

Hey, thanks for the response!

I ended up going to a pick and pull and found some s10 springs that were still in pretty good condition.

Already cut the eyes off of them, now just gotta find a good set of front springs to bring it up to 3"

Any suggestions?

4.3L XJ

V8 ZJ coils and a 2" spacer will match that well