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front leaf spring conversion on xj

  
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front leaf spring conversion on xj

 
norcorider53 norcorider53
New User | Posts: 7 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 03/18/08
12:19 PM

does any one have any info or sugestions on doing a leaf spring conversion on the front of an XJ?  

 
mudb8- mudb8-
Moderator | Posts: 3673 | Joined: 08/07
Posted: 03/18/08
02:32 PM

I've never seen that, and why?...  
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looking for how to info to mod your tj?  
check out http://www.stu-offroad.com/index.html
and help support the most helpful jeep site on the i-net...

 
norcorider53 norcorider53
New User | Posts: 7 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 03/19/08
08:19 AM

why? well i am not a fan of long arm suspensions, I have bent them before.  With leaf springs i dont have to worry about control arms and I can lift it a lot high than if i were to buy a kit.  

 
norcorider53 norcorider53
New User | Posts: 7 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 03/19/08
08:20 AM

it also makes it easier to put full size chevy diffs under my xj.  

 
mudb8- mudb8-
Moderator | Posts: 3673 | Joined: 08/07
Posted: 03/19/08
08:30 AM

not really, a fullsize coil conversion is easier, better ride and more flexible ...
+ pinion angle is easily adjusable vs. shims that work loose or break and traction control is another +

poison spyder customs has what may work for you though

components and then click full size axles

you won't bend high quality long arms...ever seen a broken leaf?  
****************************************
see me at.. robs4wheeldrive.com



looking for how to info to mod your tj?  
check out http://www.stu-offroad.com/index.html
and help support the most helpful jeep site on the i-net...

 
norcorider53 norcorider53
New User | Posts: 7 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 03/19/08
08:44 AM

ya i was looking at that but a leaf spring conversion is cheaper. but nothing is in stone i am just looking for info on the conversion.  

 
mudb8- mudb8-
Moderator | Posts: 3673 | Joined: 08/07
Posted: 03/19/08
08:50 AM

keep us up to date!

all you really need is the four link brackets, spring pads, shock mounts added to the axle housing to bolt the fullsize s' in the xj...thats cheaper than the leaf springs alone.  
****************************************
see me at.. robs4wheeldrive.com



looking for how to info to mod your tj?  
check out http://www.stu-offroad.com/index.html
and help support the most helpful jeep site on the i-net...

 
norcorider53 norcorider53
New User | Posts: 7 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 03/19/08
09:54 AM

i looked on poison spider and the full size thing that they have on there is for CJ's  

 
mudb8- mudb8-
Moderator | Posts: 3673 | Joined: 08/07
Posted: 03/19/08
10:22 AM

yep, the cj/yj, thats as close as I know of to kit that can possibly be modified for the xj

don't forget your xj has no frame to support the leafs..  
****************************************
see me at.. robs4wheeldrive.com



looking for how to info to mod your tj?  
check out http://www.stu-offroad.com/index.html
and help support the most helpful jeep site on the i-net...

 
norcorider53 norcorider53
New User | Posts: 7 | Joined: 03/08
Posted: 03/19/08
11:33 AM

it doesnt need it. i have seen it done on a few xj's. your supose to use the lower control arm bracket on the unibody, then the skackle bracket from a cj or yj or something like that. so i am just looking around to see if there is anything else that has to be done.  

 
mudb8- mudb8-
Moderator | Posts: 3673 | Joined: 08/07
Posted: 03/19/08
08:57 PM

beings to how your gonna be persistant about wrekin the xj...here is a link to the madness..  have fun, and I want pics when your done.  
****************************************
see me at.. robs4wheeldrive.com



looking for how to info to mod your tj?  
check out http://www.stu-offroad.com/index.html
and help support the most helpful jeep site on the i-net...

 
igeeper igeeper
User | Posts: 78 | Joined: 11/08
Posted: 11/03/08
01:53 PM

It's really easy to install the leaf springs, but you'll have to work out any steering issues.  I pulled off a Dana 60 front axle from a CJ7 project I didn't finish and installed it on my XJ.  It already had a cross-over steering setup. I installed a king pin steering arm for the drag link and used the factory XJ drop pitman arm.

As for the leaf springs, I used Rubicon Express YJ leafs with 1.5" of lift and reversed eyes.  It's a spring over axle installation.  I drilled 2" behind the existing LCR hole for the chassis mount.  At the shackle end, I installed a heavy duty front bumper with structural supports that bolt far back into the unibody frame structure.  The shackle mount sits below the front bumper.  This will push the axle forward about 1.5" from the factory location, which is a good thing when installing 35" tires.  I used the factory shock mount at the body and fabricated a mount at the axle.

This setup offered about 7" of lift and has worked well for the last 2 years.  I don't drive it much, but it has survived 2 Moab runs.  I don't run any sway bars or panard bars.  Just 4 leafs, that's it, and yes there's a lot of sway on the road, but very nice in the dirt.

Don't worry about axle shims to set the pinion angle. You'll have to weld on your own spring perches anyway, which means you won't need shims because they'll be installed correctly from the start.  

 

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