ThePartyWagon
Active member
Hello my fellow ExPo Jeep fanatics,
Hope you're all staying healthy and getting lots of Jeep projects knocked out!
As my Cherokee gets closer and closer to having most major modifications addressed (HA!), I'm finding myself in need of some leaf spring tuning. The Jeep has changed a bit over the years and so has what I typically carry with me. I have no intention of letting this Jeep go any time soon, another DD will be purchased so this isn't going to see as much drive time as it currently does.
The current issue at hand is the factory shackle bottoming out on the rear cross member behind the bumper, severely limiting my shackle swing and suspension travel, also, resulting in an annoying clunk every time I roll over a bump.
I'm currently running a used set of OME leafs with the added leaf for increased spring rate. These have worked well for a long time and they've kept my Jeep at exactly the ride height I like with a slight rake to the front end. I'm sitting around 3.5-4" (I think), running 245/75s and I have no intention of going taller or to a larger tire. I've been able to avoid an SYE and replacement driveshaft by using a transfer case drop and after crawling all over Moab, I will probably keep it this way for a while. Overtime, I've added a roof rack, rear bumper w/ tire swing, awning and a heavy roof top tent so the springs are a bit soft and sagged under the additional weight. The Jeep also leans to the passenger side but I think that is due to the awning and the offset spare tire.
I also carry a National Luna fridge and a variety of camping/fishing gear on most of my trips. All of this combined with my gal and a 70lb dog and we're loaded down pretty heavily on most trips. Also worth noting, this Jeep regularly tows a drift boat throughout the Rockies. I usually try to put as much of the gear in the boat but the XJ feels like it drives better with the boat kept light with gear in the Jeep. I like the slight front rake so the Jeep sits level when the boat is hooked up (boat and trailer shouldn't weight much more than 1000lbs.
There are lots of options out there; another AAL, shackle relocation brackets, new leaf springs, extended shackles, etc. My two primary goals right now are; addressing the shackle bottoming out and increasing the spring rate of the leafs. There will be times when the Jeep is empty of gear and the tent might get taken off during winter so I can pull it in the garage.
As far as brands of components go, I'm pretty well versed in who makes what but I'm always open to suggestions. I'm really not interested in cutting up my factory shackle hangers or using inexpensive parts.
I've used shackle relocation brackets on past XJs, really liked them, really improved my ride but I'm afraid that running SRBs with factory shackles will limit their functionality and I don't want to add height by combining SRBs with longer shackles.
I'm happy to add another OME leaf but I suppose I will still run into the issue with the factory shackle hitting the cross member.
I really like the Iron Rock Offroad 3.5" spring pack with the military wrapped bushings but these are longer than average springs so a longer shackle is needed, meaning more lift. These can also be purchased with an additional leaf.
If this was your XJ, how would you go about addressing these issues? Are there any other good options I have not yet thought of? Any suggestions or thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
-Morgan
Jeep for reference:
Unloaded w/o tent
Hope you're all staying healthy and getting lots of Jeep projects knocked out!
As my Cherokee gets closer and closer to having most major modifications addressed (HA!), I'm finding myself in need of some leaf spring tuning. The Jeep has changed a bit over the years and so has what I typically carry with me. I have no intention of letting this Jeep go any time soon, another DD will be purchased so this isn't going to see as much drive time as it currently does.
The current issue at hand is the factory shackle bottoming out on the rear cross member behind the bumper, severely limiting my shackle swing and suspension travel, also, resulting in an annoying clunk every time I roll over a bump.
I'm currently running a used set of OME leafs with the added leaf for increased spring rate. These have worked well for a long time and they've kept my Jeep at exactly the ride height I like with a slight rake to the front end. I'm sitting around 3.5-4" (I think), running 245/75s and I have no intention of going taller or to a larger tire. I've been able to avoid an SYE and replacement driveshaft by using a transfer case drop and after crawling all over Moab, I will probably keep it this way for a while. Overtime, I've added a roof rack, rear bumper w/ tire swing, awning and a heavy roof top tent so the springs are a bit soft and sagged under the additional weight. The Jeep also leans to the passenger side but I think that is due to the awning and the offset spare tire.
I also carry a National Luna fridge and a variety of camping/fishing gear on most of my trips. All of this combined with my gal and a 70lb dog and we're loaded down pretty heavily on most trips. Also worth noting, this Jeep regularly tows a drift boat throughout the Rockies. I usually try to put as much of the gear in the boat but the XJ feels like it drives better with the boat kept light with gear in the Jeep. I like the slight front rake so the Jeep sits level when the boat is hooked up (boat and trailer shouldn't weight much more than 1000lbs.
There are lots of options out there; another AAL, shackle relocation brackets, new leaf springs, extended shackles, etc. My two primary goals right now are; addressing the shackle bottoming out and increasing the spring rate of the leafs. There will be times when the Jeep is empty of gear and the tent might get taken off during winter so I can pull it in the garage.
As far as brands of components go, I'm pretty well versed in who makes what but I'm always open to suggestions. I'm really not interested in cutting up my factory shackle hangers or using inexpensive parts.
I've used shackle relocation brackets on past XJs, really liked them, really improved my ride but I'm afraid that running SRBs with factory shackles will limit their functionality and I don't want to add height by combining SRBs with longer shackles.
I'm happy to add another OME leaf but I suppose I will still run into the issue with the factory shackle hitting the cross member.
I really like the Iron Rock Offroad 3.5" spring pack with the military wrapped bushings but these are longer than average springs so a longer shackle is needed, meaning more lift. These can also be purchased with an additional leaf.
If this was your XJ, how would you go about addressing these issues? Are there any other good options I have not yet thought of? Any suggestions or thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
-Morgan
Jeep for reference:
Unloaded w/o tent