Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Home Page → Great Lakes XJ → General XJ/MJ Technical → Suspension Lift Components
 

Topic: Suspension Lift Components

Post Info
PlayStation
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 59
Date:
Suspension Lift Components
Permalink  

I recently did a lift to my 96 XJ. I did this with the very minimum replacement components. I used longer coil springs donated from another jeep and i dont even know the exact lift height the coils are supposed to gain. For the rear i did it the cheap way. I added 2 stock leaf springs and tension was applied to the pack. This was done without any scientific calculations but as fortune would have it the xj now sits level both at the front and the rear.

The jeep handles much better now and i intend to use bigger tyres.

Question is, can i get away with it without replacing further components. What is the effect of lifting the jeep using the springs only without changing any other suspension components. What components MUST be replaced. What might go wrong if i dont replace the other components?

Thx,

Ed.

__________________
96 XJ COUNTRY (RHD)
LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW
GLXJ PRESIDENT
Status: Offline
Posts: 3934
Date:
Permalink  
Well it really depends on what lift height you got out of the stuff you used.

We'll say anything above 3" is what I'll respond to....

You NEED an adjustable tracbar. The tracbar is what centers your axle under your Jeep. Without it centered your binding your front suspension. What will result from this is uneven tire wear on your front tires. An adjustable tracbar in my opinion is MUCH cheaper in the long run than repalcing a set of tires.

The next thing would be new lower control arms. At 3" some say you can get away with using your stock ones; others (like myself) say you should replace them with longer aftermarket ones. Longer one's will push your axle forward and re-center it in the wheel well where it goes. If your lower control arms are not long enough once again it binds your suspension and puts pressure on parts. Also the higher you go with factory arms, the more your pinion angle on your driveline is thrown off; eventually wearing those componets much faster as well.

Best bet would be to measure what your sitting at now. Stock XJ measurements are 17.5" for the front and 17" for the rear when measured from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom of the fender flare. Anything above that is the amount of lift you have.

__________________
'93 XJ Cherokee Sport - build thread
'89 XJ Cherokee Laredo - build thread
'88 MJ Comanche Pioneer SWB - build thread
'87 MJ Comanche LWB
'94 YJ Wrangler - build thread


glxj_banner.jpg
aci4369
LIFETIME MEMBER
Status: Offline
Posts: 3094
Date:
Permalink  

Do you have any pics? 

I would say go measure the Jeep and find out how much lift you got.   If you didn't go over 3" don't worry about it.  If you did then start thinking about replacement parts. 

One thing that you might want to think about, depending on the lift height again, is your brake line.  If you lifted it much over 3" and have it flexed all the way out, odds are you are streching the break line close to the max.

All just depends on how high you are really sitting.



__________________

'99 XJ, 5.5" lift, 33" MT's
'11 Dodge Charger

I miss the days that they made toys that could kill a kid.

*Support our Troops*


My Pics and Specs

My Build Thread
choppergar
LIFETIME MEMBER
Status: Offline
Posts: 747
Date:
Permalink  
Thanks Lead for information on how to measure LIFT! I didn[t know. I do work all myself and make up parts and what ever myself. Gray getto wagon sitting at 2&half frt and 2&1/4 rear. Running Mud King XT Steel Radial 31x10.5 R15 on 8"blk steel wheels and LOVE it. No sway bars. This getto wagon WILL get it. Very Happy!! Of course other things done to, that little edge. Did not no how to measure lift. Thanks again Gar.

__________________
Gar Pratt
PlayStation
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 59
Date:
Permalink  

Thank you very much for the responses. I took the measurements as advised by Adam and now I can sleep easy knowing that the height gained is not higher than 3 inches. The measurements at the rear stand at 19.5 inches on the right hand side and 19.75 inches left side.

However the front suspension presents some kind of hedache. Right hand side measures 19.5 inches. Problem is that the left hand front sits a whole one inch higher than the right hand side at 20.5 inches.

Does one side of the jeep usually sit higher than the other? 1. We keep left these sides of the world and am just wondering whther the difference is to compensate for the slight road gradient for drainage purposes.

2. I'm also thinking that the difference may be as a result of an accident i had with the jeep where much of the damage was underneath but most of the suspension components were replaced. 

3. The fender flare for the left hand side was replaced after the accident. The replacement fender might not have been mounted at the exact position its supposed to be or itself might not be the same size as the one on the right hand side.
 
Can I safely ride the jeep with these inconsistent measurements and without replacing the other suspension components. Your thoughts on this will be very much appreciated.

I will take pictures and attach hereto if need be.

Ed.

__________________
96 XJ COUNTRY (RHD)
aci4369
LIFETIME MEMBER
Status: Offline
Posts: 3094
Date:
Permalink  
At 2.5"-2.75" I would say don't worry about it.  The only thing that might give you problems at the height might be the steering.  Now all Jeeps react differently to being lifted, so you might never have a problem, or some of you original parts might eventually need to be replaced.  But I would think that at that height you should be fine for the time being.... That is until you get the craving to go higher.biggrin

__________________

'99 XJ, 5.5" lift, 33" MT's
'11 Dodge Charger

I miss the days that they made toys that could kill a kid.

*Support our Troops*


My Pics and Specs

My Build Thread
PlayStation
Guest
Status: Offline
Posts: 59
Date:
Permalink  

Now that we have determined the lift height, what size tyres would you recommend i get for the XJ. I am not up to the task to upgrade further for now. I dont want to trim the fender flares and wont touch the axle..... Plus I have the stock rims size 15. I am thus looking for suitable tyres to fit the current lift whereof I have only added longer coil springs and lifted the rear as described above. Thx

Ed

__________________
96 XJ COUNTRY (RHD)
LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW
GLXJ PRESIDENT
Status: Offline
Posts: 3934
Date:
Permalink  
31x10.5x15

__________________
'93 XJ Cherokee Sport - build thread
'89 XJ Cherokee Laredo - build thread
'88 MJ Comanche Pioneer SWB - build thread
'87 MJ Comanche LWB
'94 YJ Wrangler - build thread


glxj_banner.jpg
aci4369
LIFETIME MEMBER
Status: Offline
Posts: 3094
Date:
Permalink  
Ya, I wouldn't go any bigger than that.  Your speedo will be off by a little but other than that you shouldn't have any negative side effects only going up to 31's.

__________________

'99 XJ, 5.5" lift, 33" MT's
'11 Dodge Charger

I miss the days that they made toys that could kill a kid.

*Support our Troops*


My Pics and Specs

My Build Thread
 
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
 
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard