I have a '96 Cherokee. I use it as a "farm jeep". No plates or insurance. Just runs around the pasture. Rarely sees 30 MPH. But sees lots of hills and ditches.



With a few chainsaws and other tools in the back, the rear end is lower than the front. Then the trailer hitch sometimes drags when going through ditches or low spots.

I did a search on lifting a Jeep. Got hundreds of hit ranging from $25 shackles to $5,000 lift kits. I have no idea what to think would work well. I don't need massive tires. Don't want it raised up a foot. Offhand I'd say raising it 2" to 4" sounds about right.

I don't want to do something half-assed. But also don't want to invest thousands of dollars in it. Can you help me out with a middle of the road suggestion?

 

There's a sticky post at the top of this section for junkyard parts. If your up for getting a little dirty you can use bits and pieces to build a cheap lift.

Alternatively you can grab some spacers for the front coils, but for the leaf springs I recommend rebuilding the packs or replacing them. From the ride height I'd say they're way beyond shot at this point and block or shackles would be pointless.

 

Factory replacement leafs wouldn't be a bad idea (Dorman brand). They are cheap and are obviously bolt in. No lift mumbo jumbo to figure out just a repair.

Replacing them might be a pain thanks to the mounting bolts seizing to the bushing.

Then also as mentioned a bastard pack setup could be a little easier if you have access to another leaf pack and so long as the main springs in the jeep currently aren't also broken at the center pin.

 

Replacing the springs is an interesting option. I'm used to dealing with old, rusted parts.

I don't know what a "bastard pack" is.

I found these:

https://www.ironrockoffroad.com/prod...f-springs.html

They mention an "add-a-leaf" kit. That could be a good idea.

If I buy new leaf springs, What else do I need? I assume new shackles, bolts, and bushings. Anything else?

 

KISS, keep it simple s….d, last week I installed a pair of Air Shocks on mine, works great, control ride height. One hour labor and less than $100.

 

Your rear springs are shot. I'm willing to bet they look like a frowny face, whereas they should look like a smiley face.

You could buy new springs (tons of options), and probably shackles too. That would be the "correct" way. For your use case, you could probably get away with something less proper like building a bastard pack. It may be a better option because your front leaf spring bolt and upper shackle bolt could be problematic if they've never been removed. The bolts thread into captive nuts inside the unibody rail which can break off, and also the bolts tend to seize to the sleeve in the bushings in the leaf spring eyes. Can turn into a real PITA if those bolts don't come out nice.

A bastard pack refers to a leaf pack that has leaves from multiple different spring packs. Many people will take S10 spring packs and add some of the individual leaves from the S10 packs into the Cherokee packs. You mix and match leaves until the pack gives you the desired ride height. Doesn't have to be S10. Any springs that are 2.5" wide will work.

Measure your current ride height to see how much those springs are sagging. Any advertised lift will be over stock height. Don't lift it more than ~2" over stock height if you don't want to mess with anything else.

 

I appreciate the information so far.

It might be a few days before I can get back out there and look at the existing springs. I'll post again and let you know what I found.

 

"bastard packs" are typically leaf packs made up of leafs from other vehicles to give a lift. Usually a XJ top leaf with an s10 main leaf cut down etc.

from the junkyard parts thread

3. S10 (P/U or Blazer) leaf packs (cut eyes off S10 main and bolt pack under XJ main) = 3-4" lift (may require use of degree shims)
4. Dakota Bastard Pack (do same as with S10 pack) = ~4" lift

 

I slid under it and got a look. The springs are definitely sagging. There's about 4" between the axle tube and the underside of the frame.

XJlimitedx99 mentioned that some of the bolts might be seized up. That's definitely a possibility. If I twist them off, is it possible to replace them? The one with the captive bolt in the frame sound problematic.

I plan to get it in the shop to jack it up and have a look. But the planter is in there right now, so it might be a bit.

 

Well, I got something done. Thought I'd let you guys know how it turned out.

I bought this kit:

https://zoneoffroad.com/products/2-i...kee-xj-4wd-gas

The kit seemed to be decent quality. I'd have no problem recommending it to someone else.

No major problems with installation. Although it took longer than I thought. (Like most things vehicle-related)

Here's a "before" picture:


And "after":


The kit advertised a 2" lift. I ended up with 3.5".

Overall I'm happy, and am glad I did it. Thanks to all who offered suggestions and answered my questions.

 

Looks good. I may settle a tad after some flexing.