leaf spring question

[stevez]

Ok this is probably gonna be frowned on but I'm considering a JC Whitney add-a-leaf kit for my 91 cherokee. My rear leafs are flat and even sag when I tow even a light load. I'm a bit afraid of removing the seriously rusty bolts and such to put on new leafs. The add-a-leaf kits seem easier to install but do they really work or are they a band-aid type solution that will fail in 2 years? Has anyone ever tried this contraption?

[88JeepXJ]

Lots of people have tried AAL. They aren't great, and even worse for a daily driven XJ.
They are overly stiff and make the ride harsh. They also are known to sag over time, mostly determined by truck weight and miles driven.
They are a cheap way to get lift but a bad idea for someone who just wants to unsag their daily driver. Spacers and longer shackles help the sag, but aren't the solution. A new leaf pack is the only way to go. Do a search for leaf spring options and you'll find tons of info.
For the best riding leaf spring lift pack go with OME (Old Man Emu), they are typically known as the best riding , best quality spring avail for the XJ. They will give 2.5" to 3" of lift.

[stevez]

Unfortunately, that was the answer I suspected i would receive. It seemed like a too easy solution to my problem. The OME kits offer a lift which I don't really need or desire since I just put on new OEM size tires. I will continue to search and see if they make OEM style springs for my truck and how difficult it will be to replace mine without destroying anything. Thanks. Anyone else have an opinion...please offer it

[XJ_Scully]

If you want stock spring pack height with better ride qualities, I highly recommend ALCAN Spring in Grand junction Colorado. There springs are the only ones I use on my JP product, CJ, and XJ's. THese guys are good people and really know their stuff. Best spring available in my opinion and worth the money. THey can custom make anything you want. Good Luck

http://www.alcanspring.com/

[Matthew Currie]

There is another option which some of us cheep cheep Yankee types have tried with good success, and that is adding a leaf from another set of Jeep springs. Of course, you need to find some XJ springs or the like as donors. Eagle has done this and so have I, in a slightly different way. The basic idea is to cut the ends off of a leaf and add it to the pack. There is enough length in the U-bolts to handle this. You will need a longer center bolt and new clips. Eagle's method is to take a top leaf, cut off the eyes, and add it below the top leaf. My method was to take a #2 leaf, and cut it so that its length halves the difference between leaves # 2 and #3 in the original pack. You can see that this is the step with the greatest variation in the pack, and a spring that splits that difference fits nicely into the whole.

Here's a picture of the front part of mine, complete with the ultimate cheapskate homemade clips. For a center bolt, I found that the allen or star head bolts used on just about any VW axle shaft from 1968 up are exactly the right size, even sharing a thread with the original nuts, and the heads fit perfectly too.http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/5999/dcp1526tg8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

On my saggy springs, the leaf added a good inch or more back, restoring good height even with a class III hitch on the back, without changing the ride noticeably. I'm planning to do the same on my 99 some time soon. If you have access to some old XJ springs, it's a really simple and effective cure for normal sag.

[StylerG]

jc whitney sells oem spring packs

[Blaine B.]

Yea, the smallest bottom leafs in my leaf pack were cracked, and the others were sagging. I bought some Rusty's 2" full-length add a leafs and new U bolts, that solved the problem and actually raised me a little higher than 2 inches in the back (maybe 2 and a quarter)

Ride isn't harsh! It is actually BETTER than before with the sagging springs. Best way to go and it wasn't expensive either!

Now, if you buy the short add a leafs, they do provide a harsher ride as well as don't help sagging......your springs may turn into a W shape after awhile. Full length add a leafs are the absoulte best choice.

[NighthawkXJ]

Skyjacker also has a full length aal. I have the full length rustys, and i would not say dont buy it, but i have not ever heard anything bad about skyjacker products being to rough or not lasting long enough.

[Blaine B.]

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2126000-2126999/2126586_91_full.jpg

Here's how mine currently sits, about 4 months after installing the AAL's.

[Ray H]

Go for an AAL, just get a full length AAL and you will be fine. Take the short bottom leaf out of the pack when you put the AAL in and the ride wont be too bad. You will get about 1.5" lift from it and it will hold up to loads better. Ive been running a Rustys full length AAL w/ the short leaf removed for about 5 years. At first I noticed that it was stiffer but as it broke in, it softened up (or I got used to it). It originally gave me 1.75" lift but soon settled to 1.5" and has stayed there since. I put a set of ZJ springs on the front (1.25") to level it.

[Blaine B.]

I have Upcountry leafs and coils, so I don't think ZJ's would level me. It's only about a half inch forward rake, helps aerodynamics so I don't care. Plus, hauling anything heavy still keeps her level.

[Ray H]

I have Upcountry leafs and coils, so I don't think ZJ's would level me. It's only about a half inch forward rake, helps aerodynamics so I don't care. Plus, hauling anything heavy still keeps her level.

They may raise the front of yours up a little.
My ZJ coil comment wasnt really directed at you though. I honestly like the look of a little rake. My comment was more of an FYI for the original poster.

[Blaine B.]

Oh ok, gap at front is 18" from center hub to bottom flare, it's about the same in the back.....I believe stock XJ's have 1/2" less gap in the rear since the flare is 1/2" lower in the rear than the front.....I think.

Stock is 17" front and Upcountry adds an inch.....I believe as well :)

[docchaynes]

I've been searching for the stock center to flare measurements both here and on Jeep Horizons. So, is it 17" front and 17 1/2" rear. Is it higher with the HD (trailer package) leafs?

[Blaine B.]

i thought the gap was supposed to be less in the back, not more.

[docchaynes]

I just measured mine ( 135000 mile '96): 17 1/4" front, 16 1/2" rear.

But the 'gap' between the top of the tire and the flare is a lot less on the rear ( 3 1/2 F, 1 1/2 R).

The rear springs are totally flat. I thought about the AAL also but think I'll go with new HD springs. I'm hoping that will pick it about about 2" from its current sag.

What do you guys think?