So I wanted more flex and to extend the wheelbase and move the axle back.
I also want to keep the stock fender flares and not hack up the fenders for clearance. I want the 'stock' fender stealth look.

I had RE rear 4.5" leaf that were very stiff and with very little flex. I installed 35" Duratrac tires and the clearance at the front of the wheel well is tight and was rubbing.
I clearance the fron edge of the wheel well with a sledge and flattened the lip but the 35" tire still rubbed.

So the thought to add 56" leaf springs to gain extra flex due to the length and use RC shackle relocation brackets and Boostwerks jointed shackles. this would move the axle back 1-2" and give more clearance to the front of the wheel well and give more flex.

I tried Durango 56" springs. These were a fail, too soft, and have a weird bend to them. Very straight front half and a sharply curved rear half of the spring. This made the pinion angle very bad and had to scrap them.

Next I tried the Dakota 56" springs which were much better but were still too soft and added a leaf from the Durango pack and they have short middle leafs and the rear last 12" of the spring bent.

Both did move the axle back 1-2" and greatly increased flex. Now have 10" of axle travel. Total lift was about 5". I added ACOS to the front to level the Jeep.

Now I got a set of F150 2.5" 56" leafs. These will add 2" stretch but I have 3 hole spring perches so I will use the front hole and only add 1" stretch to keep the tire out of the rear of the fender well. The rear edge still needs some clearancing but I want to use the late rear lower flare extensions for the stock look, no cut and fold.

The first set of the F150 springs were too light and I added 1 leaf to them to bring the capacity up to the HD spring rating. This is where I am now. I need to install these springs and see the ride and height.

So 56" rear leaf springs are a great idea but be warned that Durango and Dakota springs will NOT work. Do not waste your money on them.

More to follow and pictures.

 

Hmm interesting. Sub'd for pics

 

X2. Kinda interested on how your 35s don't fit or stuff nicely with 4.5 of lift.

 

in for pics

 

im running 01 dakota springs with dakota shackles and i only have about 2 runs out with them but they seem fine so far. they actually dont flex as much as id like but i never tried them without my shocks hooked up and i think my shocks are limiting them.

i do still have the overload in, i thought about removing them but i dont think i will

 

yeah I'm wondering the same. I have 35's on my 4.5 lift I had to trim the lip of the rear well... I think that's what he is trying to avoid.

 

Oh didnt take that into consideration. Good point.

 

Look at 52 inch chevy springs from the 80s.

 

Yeah, trying for minimal fender trim and use the stock fender flares and run 35s and 4.5"-5" lift and still get 10" wheel travel. I want to keep the 'Stock' look. Not just bump stop to keep the tire out of the fender and flare. 4-5" up travel and 5-6" down travel , not 1-2"up and 8-9"down..

The problem with the Durango spring is that the last 12" of the spring is only supported by the 2nd spring leaf but it stops short at least 6" from where it should. The main spring will bend here as it is not supported very well at all and it is rather thin. And if your shackle is at 45* at ride height, you will have a better ride and more flex and down travel.

I also have aftermarket steel rear bumper and swing out tire carrier with 35" spare hanging out there and about 100 pounds of trail spares and fluids in the back.

We went to a Meet that had a RTI ramp and everyone was talking crap about the 'mall crawler' XJ on 35s, polished rims and stock fender flares until it went up the ramp 2nd highest only being beaten by a rig/truggy on 40s.

52s- I wanted to try longer springs for more flex, better ride and move the axle back 1-2". XJ springs are 52s.

 

Best site for spring comparison is SDtrucksprings.com and ATSSprings.com

#97-539 84-01 Cherokee Sport 51.625" F23"-R28 5/8" 5.5"Arch 1.125" thick pack 4 leafs 745lbs $98ea

#97-555 86-92 Comanche 57" F26"-R31" 10.25" Arch 1.5" thick pack 3/1overload leafs 1280lbs $175ea **3" stretch**

#97-571 86-92 Comanche 57" F26"-R31" 9.5"arch 2.125" thick pack 3/2overload leafs 1700lbs $225ea **3" stretch**

43-711 86-96 Ford F150 56" F25"-R31" 7.375"arch 1 15/16" thick pack 4/1overload leafs 1850lbs $128ea **2" stretch**
.....4/1 = 2x307lb + 2x323lb + 1x625lb overload $115.50 ATS Springs.com

43-711HD 86-96 Ford F150 56" F25"-R31" 7.375"arch 2.625" thick pack 5/1overload leafs 2450lbs $178ea **2" stretch**
.....5/1 = 5x360lb + 1x770lb overload $148.50 ATS Springs.com

On the 43-711HD it is possible to redrill the main leaf 1" forward to decrease stretch by 1".

 

Since you know a ton about spring rates, would you agree Rusty's springs are one of the softer springs you can buy? I just got the Rusty's 4.5 kit and am planning on going up to 5.5 through shackle relocation boxes so I can get extra flex.

 

IDK about Rusty's spring rate compared to others.
No one seems to publish what their leaf spring rate is.

RC, RE, Rusty's, anyone else's 3.5"-4.5" leaf springs. It would be nice to be able to compare without having to buy every set.

 

Do you have a local spring shop ?They can custom make anything you can think of.

 

I do have a local shop but the problem is What do I really want? It is really a trial and error to get the right amount of lift and spring rate. I am trying to find a set that is close and then try and have a set made by them. In the end, maybe just 4 link it and use coilovers. That is starting to sound easier and cheaper in the end.

 

Get some Chevy 63" springs, I'm building them for my 95 XJ, very good flex!