Lowering XJ

[chedisme]

I always wanted to see a chopped and lowered xj. you know like the old low riders. I think it would cool like a modern take on a Classic idea.

[seanyb505]

Some thoughts ive been having - SUA would be easiest to lower the rear. would and MJ rear bolt up then? Im thinking they came with D44s, and you wouldnt have to cut or weld the perches...

At least for me, Im looking for an overall better handling vehicle. I read a lot on the mod section that AAL will make it stiffer, not great for flexing and such but isnt that what were trying to combat over here?

AAL+MJ D44 = win? Thoughts?

[chedisme]

I dont think that many came with d44s. I think its probably as hard to find if not harder that an xj d44.


Some thoughts ive been having - SUA would be easiest to lower the rear. would and MJ rear bolt up then? Im thinking they came with D44s, and you wouldnt have to cut or weld the perches...

At least for me, Im looking for an overall better handling vehicle. I read a lot on the mod section that AAL will make it stiffer, not great for flexing and such but isnt that what were trying to combat over here?

AAL+MJ D44 = win? Thoughts?

[1999mj]

here's my lowered MJ with 275 60 15's. going to try and et it a little lower but it's close to being on the bump stops at it is

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/1999mj/003-2.jpg

[wolfpackjeeper]

Some thoughts ive been having - SUA would be easiest to lower the rear. would and MJ rear bolt up then? Im thinking they came with D44s, and you wouldnt have to cut or weld the perches...

At least for me, Im looking for an overall better handling vehicle. I read a lot on the mod section that AAL will make it stiffer, not great for flexing and such but isnt that what were trying to combat over here?

AAL+MJ D44 = win? Thoughts?

The perches would be wrong. The XJ springs are outboarded, and the MJ springs are under the frame.

[srimes]

...I've got that same power to weight ratio as an Acura Integra Type R. I consider that an excellent benchmark for a fast vehicle. I'm glad someone else out there thinks the way I do about Jeeps.....the ultimate sleepers.

OK, how do you figure? I just googled "integra type r specs" and came up with 195 hp and 2638 lb.

Not saying you can't or shouldn't make a street XJ, but they aren't that quick. I do think they could handle well on smooth roads, but if it gets bumpy they jump and skip when independent suspension doesn't.

[seanyb505]

The perches would be wrong. The XJ springs are outboarded, and the MJ springs are under the frame.


Ok, but AAL SUA would be a decent setup as it would be stiffer, correct? Im thinking the XJ's tendency is to push mid corner, stiffening up the rear should alleviate some of that..

Also, regarding the front I know the biggest restriction is the oil pan. I was browsing Brown dog's website and saw 1" lift motor mounts for the XJ. Im sure this could give up a little more leeway...

Not saying you can't or shouldn't make a street XJ, but they aren't that quick.

Maybe yours isnt that quick ;)

[hubs97xj]

Seany, did you see the threads on the 24hrs of Lemons XJ? If it works on the track, it should work on the street. I think they did SUA and an AAL too.

[Talyn]

For what it is, an XJ is rather quick.. especially in 2wd trim. Granted the later models seem to have lost some get up for some reason. I know my 91 with 200,000 mile would have smoked my 2000 w/o the stroker.

[gradon]

My 94 was a beast compared to the 96 with the same mods and I attribute that to the bigger lift cam and the obd1 electronics that adapted well to mods.

[doworkson]

lowering a jeep is pointless. waste of a jeep right there

[hubs97xj]

Yeah, station wagons need to be lifted and sitting on monster truck tires. :rolleyes:

[Talyn]

lowering a jeep is pointless. waste of a jeep right there

Nice entrance, not get back in the clown car and leave. I hear Jeepforum has an opening.

[88JeepXJ]

Ours is lowered about 4 inches and it would clear the pan but it would be close so we notched the axle as you can see in my pics earlier. A 4wd front axle is a different story, not sure about that.

It's is a LITTLE silly to lower an XJ but so what?! Is it really harming you? Go away troll.

I haven't worked on mine in months but hopefully ill have some more updates soon.

[chedisme]

why do people come into this section of the forum with that kind of attitude? its F-ing Street and performance! would lifting an XJ make it perform better on tarmac. I bet that high center of gravity would help in the long sweeping bends. Oh I bet it would really help with the steering response! if you don't like it dont do it.




lowering a jeep is pointless. waste of a jeep right there

[hubs97xj]

Don't even bother- it's just some 14 year old kid. Fool can't even drive yet. :roflmao:

[IXNAYXJ]

Seany, did you see the threads on the 24hrs of Lemons XJ? If it works on the track, it should work on the street. I think they did SUA and an AAL too.Correct; we just plasma torched off the perches, sway bar mount and shock mount, and rewelded them onto the bottom of the tube. 2" RE add a leaf and voilà, an XJ that handles. It didn't lower it all that much, but we were far more concerned about how it drove than how it looked.

-----Matt-----

[seanyb505]

Which axle did you use? It seems the mounting point for the leaves would be about 5-6 in lower if the perches were on the bottom of the tube, and a 2" lift should net you around 3-4". Do you have a pic of the Jeep like this?

[88JeepXJ]

My jeep with sua under and two stock leaf packs.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv108/bmwme/4d4f549f.jpg

[srimes]

My jeep with sua under and two stock leaf packs.

How much travel before the bumpstops hit?

[88JeepXJ]

Bump stops? :)

[IXNAYXJ]

Which axle did you use? It seems the mounting point for the leaves would be about 5-6 in lower if the perches were on the bottom of the tube, and a 2" lift should net you around 3-4". Do you have a pic of the Jeep like this?It's a D35, and your math is about right, though as light as the ass end is, it didn't drop it that far. Tires are Toyo Proxes 4 in 245/50R16:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/LeMons/253.jpg

Fronts are JK coils with one coil cut out. When we swap in the 8.8, it should bring the rear down just a hair (due to the larger diameter tube) and make it dead even with the front.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/LeMons/016.jpg

-----Matt-----

[D.I.T.A]

I like it i would love to have that as a sleeper on the street

[D.I.T.A]

lowering a jeep is pointless. waste of a jeep right there
And as a proper gearhead you have to be open minded to other people and their tastes you can't be a Nazi and tell people that their ideas are wrong because it go against the grain of others. More power to the people that think out side of the box

[IXNAYXJ]

I like it i would love to have that as a sleeper on the streetI drove it around this weekend and it's a blast on the street. Up to about 50 mph it's damn quick.
And as a proper gearhead you have to be open minded to other people and their tastes you can't be a Nazi and tell people that their ideas are wrong because it go against the grain of others. More power to the people that think out side of the boxx2. One of the beauties of the XJ platform is the versatility of it. FWIW, I also have this:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/122.jpg

-----Matt-----

[88JeepXJ]

How much to make the cage?

[FlexdXJ]

lowering a jeep is pointless. waste of a jeep right there


You know I used to think this before I wanted a Turbo Stroker in a 2wd MJ! :D GTFO if you are gonna be a Dick dude!

[IXNAYXJ]

How much to make the cage?On the blue one? Couple hundred bucks for ~70' of 1.75/.120 DOM, couple cases of beer, a few buddies and a solid day of work. It's a very basic cage, and not having an interior meant it was very easy to do quickly, even for us relative novices.

The Hybrid cage on the white one was a little more involved. :)

-----Matt-----

[D.I.T.A]

I drove it around this weekend and it's a blast on the street. Up to about 50 mph it's damn quick.
x2. One of the beauties of the XJ platform is the versatility of it. FWIW, I also have this:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/122.jpg

-----Matt-----

i've seen your truck in a magazine it's fuggin sweet :loveu:. If you don't mind me asking what front bumper is that

[IXNAYXJ]

i've seen your truck in a magazine it's fuggin sweet :loveu:. If you don't mind me asking what front bumper is thatThanks! She kinda gets around. ;)

The bumper is made by Moab 4x4 Outpost; super high quality and without equal in terms of strength and clearance (IMHO). Steve and Andy always build nice stuff, and they're open 24/7 the entire week of EJS to help busted Jeepers get their junk wheeling again. Top notch operation and people.

-----Matt-----

[CherBear]

lowering a jeep is pointless. waste of a jeep right there

:doh:
Go back to JeepForum. This forum isnt here to criticize people. Although im sure none of us even care for your opinion at this point.

[D.I.T.A]

Thanks! She kinda gets around. ;)

The bumper is made by Moab 4x4 Outpost; super high quality and without equal in terms of strength and clearance (IMHO). Steve and Andy always build nice stuff, and they're open 24/7 the entire week of EJS to help busted Jeepers get their junk wheeling again. Top notch operation and people.

-----Matt-----
thanks
--Nick

[RedChuck]

IXNAYXJ (http://www.naxja.org/forum/member.php?u=10435)
you should put that thing on a diet there is still stuff to reduce weight le replace the glass with lexan looks like a fun jeep

[88JeepXJ]

IXNAYXJ (http://www.naxja.org/forum/member.php?u=10435)
you should put that thing on a diet there is still stuff to reduce weight le replace the glass with lexan looks like a fun jeep

Too rich for the budget, plus it may not be race legal.

[aj~426]

I second gradon, I'd love to see some more pics. I have a freind in germany and a local shop that is checking on those part numbers for me

RED, did you have any luck getting the Trail Master lowering springs?

Andrew

[88JeepXJ]

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv108/bmwme/Race%20Stuff/ab9fcb68.jpg

Still need to lighten and install front bumper and paint some grapics but this is her at a local autocross. It didn't do too bad even though we were tuning Megasquirt while racing and had overheating problems because someone (won't name names) wired the electric fan in reverse so we were pushing air from the engine bay through the radiator forward! That's all fixed now.

I have lots more pics and a whole build writeup but no time.

[88JeepXJ]

By the way here is the modified front axle if you're interested.

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv108/bmwme/Race%20Stuff/9a0d7ba2.jpg

[DeftwillP]

That's pretty badass. I haven't read the whole thread but did you have to relocate your gas tank to tuck the rear that high?

[88JeepXJ]

That's pretty badass. I haven't read the whole thread but did you have to relocate your gas tank to tuck the rear that high?

No need to modify the tank as it sits behind the axle. We couldn't go much lower in the rear though or else we'd start punching through the floor with the pumpkin. We are running a Ford 8.8 out back so you may have a little more clearance with a D35 or C8.25.

The hardest part of lowering an XJ this much is up front. As you can see the axle needed to be clearanced so it didn't hit the oil pan, but you might not be able to see that the track rod bracket was lowered about 1.5", the upper control arm brackets were shortened 3" and the lower control arm brackets were lengthened 3". This is to retain stock suspension geometry.

[hubs97xj]

Looking good. I was kind of surprised they let you run it (no SUVs or trucks were technically classed when I was still squishing cones, although we let one yahoo run a Dakota after he blew up his Neon and Starion), but that's obviously got enough modification to merit it, I think. What class do they have you in?

[88JeepXJ]

Well most sanctioning bodies will say that vehicles at risk of rolling won't be allowed to run. You need to get special permission/tech inspection. We worked with one of the coordinators and he was well aware of how "safe" this vehicle is. Still they said if it appears unsafe they will remove us from the field. After run #1 they were all smiles (literally) back in the pits and timing tent ;)

I think many were surprised how well it did, and we didn't even push it that hard. We spoke to a few field workers and they were shocked how little it rolled. It shouldn't, it is stiff as nails. We took a pair of lift coils (I think they might have been off an F150) and cut them 4+ inches. That increases spring rate a lot! I calculated about 370-400 ft*lbs. In the rear we went spring under and doubled up two stock leaf packs with stock shackles. I calculated the rear spring rate but can't find my numbers...I think it was around 280-300 ft*lbs. It is a very rough guess as calculating leaf spring rates is very complicated. To that we added Addco anti-sway bars front and rear and Rancho 5000 shocks from a Ford 150 out front and Bilstein sports out of a TRD Tacoma out back.

Yeah, it has a lot of roll stiffness but works great.

[gradon]

I'm hoping to get to auto-x my xj someday(I want people to see what she's got). I've been getting good with the m3 this summer(8 events already), so hopefully they'll trust me in the XJ. I have the daystars in the rears and the front axle(gonna get the tranny mount too), ironman4x4fab adjustable control arms and trackbar, Addcos, stock bilstein rear shocks and I t-barred some short & stiff 5125s (be5-6140-t6) for the fronts. I cut and rewelded the front bumpstops 1.25" to give me a little more room. I just got to get the rear axle put back together and then I can see how much better she handles and accelerates(4.10s on 27"). 3" is pretty much as low as you can safely go before you have to flip springs and chop axles(I love what you did to yours).

[keep0njeepin0n]

I drove it around this weekend and it's a blast on the street. Up to about 50 mph it's damn quick.
x2. One of the beauties of the XJ platform is the versatility of it. FWIW, I also have this:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/122.jpg

-----Matt-----

How ya like our new MT/R's with kevlar??

[88JeepXJ]

I wrote a build thread for those interested. Enjoy. Thanks

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4646132#post4646132

[woody]

In on page 1

[bjoehandley]

Love that Jaaaaaag badge on your Cherokee's tailgate:roflmao::thumbup:










Sorry, been watching Top Gear on YouTube a bit too much lately:o:D

[.Daven]

Looks odd.

[chedisme]

Love that Jaaaaaag badge on your Cherokee's tailgate:roflmao::thumbup:










Sorry, been watching Top Gear on YouTube a bit too much lately:o:D

yes!

[hubs97xj]

The autocross vid was surprising- on par with a turbo'ed Miata?! That had to have left some folks scratching their heads.

[88JeepXJ]

Looks odd.

Wait so you joined NAXJA to post this?

[88JeepXJ]

The autocross vid was surprising- on par with a turbo'ed Miata?! That had to have left some folks scratching their heads.

LOT's of people were scratching their heads :) It was all good fun.

[YEAGS]

heres some eye candy for you guys enjoy!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs215.ash2/47788_444540164816_191106914816_4578505_1667241_n. jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs436.snc4/47958_444540194816_191106914816_4578507_4364440_n. jpg

[hubs97xj]

Wow, aren't you clever?

[bjoehandley]

Any more videos of that truck in action?

[88JeepXJ]

Any more videos of that truck in action?

If you follow the link to YouTube there are two or three other videos there. I can't get on youtube from work so I can't help you right now.

[techno1154]

88JeepXJ,
Why did you bend the front axle/beam thus changing the camber? Wouldn't that cause tyre scrubbing and accelarated tire wear on the inside? Logic tells it would and yet I tend to doubt my logic.

[88JeepXJ]

Yes more camber does often result in more wear to the inside of the tire when driven normal on the street. What additional static camber does is when you really push a vehicle hard into a corner the tire contact patch shifts and it wants to put more weight on the outside of the tire so additional camber evens this out and puts a more even weight across the tread. So in hard driving more camber often results in more even wear of the tire and more grip in a turn.

You wouldn't likely do this with a street driven Jeep unless you drive it hard. If I were to do it on my street Jeep I would buy adjustable ball joints instead of bending the axle though for safety.

[racerized]

So, I've read through this entire thread and it seems like everyone is or is looking to lower their XJ's beyond 2 inches. And from everything I'm reading, to do that you need to do some other mods that are pretty in depth for clearance issues. Also, it seems that everyone is doing this on 2WD XJs...?

What would be the best route to acheive a 1.5"-2" drop on a (1990) 4WD XJ. A 2" lift doesn't seem to require a lot of modification... would a 2" drop? From what I've gathered, cutting the front springs and having custom built leafs in back seem to be the way to go aside from trying to acquire the lowering kit offered from Trailmaster. Did I read over something in this thread that addresses this question??

[dave92cherokee]

The reason it's only done on 2wd is because of the big clearance problem with the front D30 pumpkin and the oilpan. The 2wd has the beam axle allowing it to go down further before any problems arise from the pan. For lowering the back depending on the current conditions of your rear leafs you could play with removing the overload leaf first and if that's not enough then the bottom most leaf.

[bigdaddyjlove]

So, I've read through this entire thread and it seems like everyone is or is looking to lower their XJ's beyond 2 inches. And from everything I'm reading, to do that you need to do some other mods that are pretty in depth for clearance issues. Also, it seems that everyone is doing this on 2WD XJs...?

What would be the best route to acheive a 1.5"-2" drop on a (1990) 4WD XJ. A 2" lift doesn't seem to require a lot of modification... would a 2" drop? From what I've gathered, cutting the front springs and having custom built leafs in back seem to be the way to go aside from trying to acquire the lowering kit offered from Trailmaster. Did I read over something in this thread that addresses this question??

Stock TJ front springs are supposed to be 1" - 1.5" drop at the front. As far as clearence for the diff, I'll let you know. I should be doing this "soon"

[gradon]

When you lower the jeep, the track bar will push the axle to the passenger side(just like if you lift it, it pulls to driver's side), which is DW prone. Mine is shifted 3/8" from the 2-2.5" drop, so I bought a custom adjustable trackbar from Ironman4x4(the first one Andy sent hit the oilpan due to the earlier-than-stock s-bend, so I'm waiting for the second one which should be straight. . . . .). Didn't know trailmaster made a lowering kit(other than the t-case lower/drop). Link please.

[racerized]

Trailmaster is referenced earlier in this thread. They are out of Germany, so as far as acquiring one, I'm not sure... I'd have to email the company to see if the have any USA distributors or if they could ship it directly. The make a full kit (front coils, shocks, rear leafs kit #S08229) as well as sell individual pieces.

www.trailmaster.de I can't read German, so click the UK flag in the upper right-hand corner for english.

[racerized]

http://up.picr.de/1488157.jpg

that is my xj with the trailmaster frontsprings and saggy rear leafs.
tires 255/45/17

Mudracer is the one who brought up the Trailmaster kit. I'm hoping to get a response from him regarding his install, clearance issues and overall drop measurement. But he only did front springs. But it looks pretty f'n sweet!

[bigdaddyjlove]

I e-mailed Trailmaster.

They were great, very quick response, seem knowledgeable.

Only issue is that they do not have a US distributor, and shipping is pretty steep for a set of springs

[gradon]

and 40mm/45mm is only about 1.5". . .
For the front, get the f150 coils and cut em, bilstein 5125s and bar pin em.
For the rear, de-arch stock leaves, and stock bilsteins. That'll be good for a 2-2.5" drop.

[racerized]

Gradon, is your Jeep 4WD? Is what you recommended the same setup you have??

[racerized]

No US distributor, huh...? That sucks. :( Then yeah, I would imagine shipping would be a little pricey. What did they quote you for the kit?? Both price and shipping??

[racerized]

What springs are stiffer, the stock TJ front springs or the chopped F-150 springs? And what model year(s) F-150??

[GrimmJeeper]

your posts would make more sense if you hit the quote button :wave1:

[gradon]

Mine is 2wd. A few years ago I ordered customs coils and leaves through Springworks in Cali(mistake, but I learned my lesson: deal with local shops cause you can make sure they do it right). I ordered -2.5" and 25% stiffer. It ended up being a -1.75f/-1.5 rear so I chopped off a coil and had a spring co. de-arch the rears. Just recently I chopped 1.25" off the bumpstop shaft and rewelded them and swapped the stock bilsteins for shorter/stiffer 5125s. I don't recall the p/n at the moment, but they were at the bottom of the list and were the only ones w/ 360/240 psi and had a stud on one end and an eye on the other(I used the bar pins from the billys I took off). I don't know the exact years of the f150 coils, but did confirm that the rear ZJ springs will not work correctly on the front of XJs unless you open up the top coil so that it'll fit the XJ springpad.

[muddypunk]

Ford springs are pre scissir axles 78 and early I have a set out of a 3/4 ton 2 wd that I used for about 3 1/5 lift and were way stiff 1/2 ton are like 2 coils shorter and maybe softer not sure

[bigdaddyjlove]

No US distributor, huh...? That sucks. :( Then yeah, I would imagine shipping would be a little pricey. What did they quote you for the kit?? Both price and shipping??

Prices for the parts are on the site in Euros

The response I got:

Thank you very much for your mail. We have some lowering springs and kits Chrysler Jeep in stock. In attachment you will receive one offer about the springs and one offer about the complete kits we have for Chrysler Jeep (Grand Cherokee ZJ and Cherokee XJ).
The shipping costs to USA are 64€ up to 180€ depending on the weight.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Steffi
maas group GmbH & Co. KG
Robert-Bosch-Straße 5 - 9
47475 Kamp-Lintfort
Fon +49(0) 28 42 82 71
Fax +49(0) 28 42 6 07 05
www.maas-group.de (http://www.maas-group.de)

[gradon]

Here's a pic of the adjustable trackbar I had Andy make for my setup:
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg166/gradons/dscn7227.jpg
Amazing piece of work.

[racerized]

Very nice. Is that a stocked item, or a custom build??

[88JeepXJ]

When you think about it, it is not really anything crazy, just a round bar welded to a bushing, and one end threaded with a tie rod. It sure does look peeerty though :)

I dropped the bracket on the axle end and used the stock bar...not as elegant as this but works. If you need a new tie rod end anyway this would be a good way to go.

[gradon]

This was a custom piece. The first shorter one he sent had the s-bend in it that started earlier on the axle end compared to stock, which has the s more towards the frame end, and it hit the oil pan. On my setup, the axle end is about 2-3" lower than the frame end, so I told him to make a straight bar 31"+/-1"(even though it can probably go to +2"). I told him to keep notes cause other people w/ lowered XJs/Mjs might come askin. Andy is the man.

[Dr.Watson]

Could rear lowering also be accomplished by simply removing the shackle on the rear most part of the leaf spring? I just thought of this and will get pictures tomorrow if needed.

[DanMan2k06]

Good lord no. The shackle is what makes your spring, well, a spring. Otherwise you're essentially turning it into a rigid pack of bars.

[88JeepXJ]

Yeah it seems like a doable thing in your head, but these aren't coil springs so as the leaf pack compresses the arch becomes flatter and thus the spring gets longer. If you take out the shackle the top leaf pack will have nowhere to move under compression and will likely snap.

[Dr.Watson]

Well dang, thought i had just struck lowering gold :) hahaha.

[bjoehandley]

Well, instead of removing it, can a shorter than stock one be made to work? I've kinda wondered that, but never bothered to research it.

[Dr.Watson]

Well, instead of removing it, can a shorter than stock one be made to work? I've kinda wondered that, but never bothered to research it.
Yeah, upon second look i realized it wouldn't be possible to completely eliminate it, but as you stated, began to wonder if i could just fab. a shorter one. :dunno:

[dave92cherokee]

The XJ shackle is already about as short as it can get as people with MJ's use the XJ shackle for 1" drop in the back. Our XJ's can't be lowered to much in the rear with the leafs as alot of the stock leafs are already flat. To really lower the rear of an XJ it would have to be converted to a coil spring rear then everyone knows the problems and needs after that. I think best option would be to find some factory sagging leaves and put them in as that's going to give the best option to get the rear lower a couple of inches.

[techno1154]

The XJ shackle is already about as short as it can get as people with MJ's use the XJ shackle for 1" drop in the back. Our XJ's can't be lowered to much in the rear with the leafs as alot of the stock leafs are already flat. To really lower the rear of an XJ it would have to be converted to a coil spring rear then everyone knows the problems and needs after that. I think best option would be to find some factory sagging leaves and put them in as that's going to give the best option to get the rear lower a couple of inches.


People who lower their XJ go the spring under route,... like the MJ, then vary the length of the shackle to give the ride height they are looking for. Just by going spring under the XJ will be 3+ inches lower depending on the thickness of the axle tube.

[Dr.Watson]

yeah, I knew all of that already, I was just looking into a quicker alternaive. But thank you.

[ZachsXJ]

yeah, I knew all of that already, I was just looking into a quicker alternaive. But thank you.

The only other option is a shackle flip, where instead of hanging below the mounting point, the shackle sits above it.

It could be done on an XJ but it'd be a royal PITA.

[88JeepXJ]

It could be done on an XJ but it'd be a royal PITA.

How? Isn't it part of the "frame rail"?

[WAM174]

Just out of curiosity, what does a stock used rear spring look like when taken apart? I'm wondering if you can rearrange the pieces into a lower package.

[Dr.Watson]

How? Isn't it part of the "frame rail"?
THe front one for sure is.....so idk what he is talking about?:dunno:

[dave92cherokee]

People who lower their XJ go the spring under route,... like the MJ, then vary the length of the shackle to give the ride height they are looking for. Just by going spring under the XJ will be 3+ inches lower depending on the thickness of the axle tube.

I think this is really the only real way to lower the rear of an xj. Doing a spring under would act like the spring over in an mj and would likely give 5.5-6" of drop. So if you had some 3" lift leafs with it then you would end up at about 3" lower.

[gradon]

I've pondered flipping the spring upside down and rebuilding the pack with the pin aiming up. It would require a little removal of the lower front of the box in the shackle area and pounding the body/floor up near the front mount so that it wouldn't be hitting/riding on either during bumps. I pretty much have flat springs, so it wouldn't hit as much as someone flipping arched springs. I think you could use a shackle 1" shorter than stock, but not much less since stock is already pretty short. SUA is the ideal way to do it or shell out the $ for the multi-link rear coil setup.

[IXNAYXJ]

Since I last posted in this thread a year ago, we've competed in two more 24 Hours of LeMons events. We finally got around to doing our 8.8 swap, but otherwise the set-up is the same as when we first guesti-fabbed it up. The results have proven to be fantasticly stable and reliable.

We're running stock springs in front with a little more than a coil cut out, stock sway bars and the old shocks that came with the truck. In the rear, we converted it to spring under by plasma cutting off the stock spring perches and flipping them upside down. This netted about a 6" drop, so we added a Rubicon Expess Add-a-leaf to bring up back up.

As I mentioned, we've since added an Explorer 8.8 (disc-brake, 3.73, LSD). While we were at it we fabbed up some different spring perches using some MJ bits. Really, it was fairly simple for even the most basicly equiped back yard fabricator. Here are some pics of it in our last race, in which we won our class:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/LeMons%20Buttonwillow%2010/VP2_6436.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/LeMons%20Buttonwillow%2010/VP2_6435.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/LeMons%20Buttonwillow%2010/VP2_5511.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/LeMons%20Buttonwillow%2010/VP2_5474.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/LeMons%20Buttonwillow%2010/VP2_2613-1.jpg

Sure we could make it lower, yes it rolls a little bit in corners, but in a sustained, high lateral g corner, there isn't much that can hang with us. The thing is truly amazing to drive, and it's really fun to pass a bunch of sports cars in the twisties. If your goal by lowering the Jeep is to look cool, then do what you want. If you want it to handle well, then do what we've done; it flat out works.

Check out our YouTube Channel with some in-car clips:

Our YouTube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/TeamPettyCash?feature=mhum#p/a)

http://www.youtube.com/user/TeamPettyCash?feature=mhum#p/u/11/ftMxEh7xZvs

-Matt

[GrimmJeeper]

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j160/ixnayxj/LeMons%20Buttonwillow%2010/VP2_2613-1.jpg

I love the fact that the front right tire is *just* about to come off the ground in this shot. The videos don't do it justice I'm sure, but that said it sure looks like one hell of a ride! :clap:

[WAM174]

That's an interesting video. I kept track of the horizon out the passenger window looking for roll. There sure wasn't much given kinda stock springs and stock swaybars.

And how is it you're passing Mustangs and F-bodies on the straights? Don't those guys have V8's? Or are they cruising at 3/4 throttle hoping to finish?

[Darky]

These are all $500 cars, so the Mustangs are probably 4 cyl or 6 cyl, the f-bodies are probably v6s. Stock Cherokees are surprisingly quick, add in the lightening that has probably occurred here, and it's even faster.

[IXNAYXJ]

These are all $500 cars, so the Mustangs are probably 4 cyl or 6 cyl, the f-bodies are probably v6s. Stock Cherokees are surprisingly quick, add in the lightening that has probably occurred here, and it's even faster.Um...no?

Every F-body on track was either 305ci or 350ci powered. Most 'Stangs were 5.0 cars, and there were plenty of non-Ford cars powered by 302's. You have to read the rules a little closer before making a blanket statement like that. The Cherokee is not a fast car on the straights, there is too much aerodynamic drag for the Jeep to do much acceleration over 70 mph. Where the rig really shines is, counter-intuitively, in the corners and under braking. Where you see me passing those Pony cars and F-Bodies is after a good launch from a corner, and using the right line. Horsepower does not always win races.

FWIW, we've only pulled the seats and interior trim. Add our roll cage, wheels and tires and I'd bet we're about what a stock 2WD weighs (we're 2900 lbs dry).

-M

[WAM174]

FWIW, we've only pulled the seats and interior trim. Add our roll cage, wheels and tires and I'd bet we're about what a stock 2WD weighs (we're 2900 lbs dry). -M

I'm hoping to get the weight near that with my XJ rallyX'r , currently in build by Goatman. It's a 4x4, but no cage, lighter than stock wheels & tires, and I'll pull the interior like yours, and the bumpers too. Any other easy take-offs that amount to much?

The biggest suspension difference from what you and the others have done is I located a pair of Deaver custom XJ rear rally springs that lower the car, remaining spring-over. I can't make a good case why spring-over would be better than spring-under, but Deaver knows their business and they did it for Bilstein -- who know a little something too. I'll just take it on faith.

[88JeepXJ]

'95 2wd Race XJ (XJ-R for short ;)) 2,677 lbs. Gutted everything inside except for dash and driver's seat slider (race seat mounted on stock slider), large (15x10) steel wheels and race rubber, removed everything in the engine bay we didn't need, and gutted the stock hood. Added in a Ford 8.8 which is a little heavier than stock.

Lots of weight in the stock hood and AC system. Interior stuff isn't much but adds up.

[WAM174]

Nice. I guess I should call mine an XJ/RX. I'm kinda keeping an eye out for a fiberglass lift-off hood and fg stock shape fenders. I could run two rallytires inside those offroad fenders.