New lift, some questions, some answers...

Well, I have now completed the short arm 5.5in "hybrid" DPG/Rubicon lift on my 1992 XJ laredo. I LOVE IT!!! And for anyone out there looking at modifying their XJ, TJ, or any other *J, give Dirk @ DPG offroad a call. It might be hard to get him on the phone, but once you do you will know why you had to wait. He will devote 100% of his attention and time to answer your questions. These are just my opinions and experiences. I am not trying to take away any business from any of the other bizillion part stores/off road specialist out there, I just wont be doing business with anyone else.

Anyway, I purchased the lift and ordered the bilstein 5150s (T:10.17" V:[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]255/70 EL:[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]25.9" CL:[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]15.9") for $99.95ea from eshocks.com. I know this probably isnt the best price out there but I got tired of searching and they offered free shipping. When I was done with the lift I was a little worried about the amount of up travel I had left in the shock. I took the XJ out for the first time this morning to a local BS trail and flexed it out to see how far it would go with out bottoming out. I only have 3.5" to 4" of up travel on the shock and I can tuck the 33s all the way up with out running out of travel in the shock (would love to show pics but not the most computer savvy). So I guess that worked out for me, in the front at least. I havent been able to get the back to flex out all the way yet. I guess that is the down fall of stiff leaf springs. I think there is 5 leaves, maybe 4, in the DPG replacement leaf springs, and they are pretty stout.

I also did the RE hack and tap slip yoke eliminator kit. I was real hesitant to do it. I mean, once you cut into the shaft, there "aint no goin back" if you know what I mean. I followed the instructions given by RE and used some other tips I aquired along the way and it went fairly smooth, minus breaking off a drill bit in the shaft (fortunately, easy to recover) and putting the oil seal in backwards. Had to replace it. There is no way to get one out with out wrecking it. Works great, no leaks (yet), and no vibs.

I went with the steel rock crawlers ($47ea) and 33/12.50 r15 MT Baja Claws (Free: payment from helping a buddy of mine with a TJ lift install). I am way happy with the tires. I went through some nasty stuff this morning and they cleaned awesome. They are loud on pavement, but hey it is an off road vehicle first so that doesnt bother me. I might even pay money for a new set when the time comes.

I purchased the Rustys intake tube and the 6"X9" K&N filter, Flowmaster 50 cat back, nology pro fire coil and silver plugs, accell distributor, and MSD super conductor wires. There is a nice amount of power and throttle response gained over stock, but I am only getting around 10mpg after all that. I have a new edelbrock header sitting in my garrage waiting to get bolted on. Maybe that will help some. I also need to replace my O2 sensor. When that gets done I will repost with results. Anyone have any ideas on increasing mpg??? I am not a eco maniac but every little bit helps.

I have spent a grand total of $5600.00. That is parts and vehicle, and I now have a potent off road machine. To all the Jeep haters of the world, you know where to put it!!! Dollar for dollar, you cant beat a Jeep.
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Start with replacing the O2 sensor since you know it is bad. It will cause the poor gas mileage you are having.

which leaf springs did you get? Dirk's Trailgunner 5" springs, or did you get RE springs?

trail gunners....

I have a lot of front end grunting and growning. I have checked the torque on all the bolts and they are good. There is a clunk when I turn. It isnt a repetitive noise, just one clunk. Maybe it is a pop. Anyone know what that is???

When the drivers side compresses it almost sounds like coil spring noise. I cant replicate it with a jack and havent found a ramp to drive up on yet. I will take it by my local jeep shop next week unless someone can diagnose it here.

Am I just being paranoid? Is it normal to make a lot of noise when articulating?

I dont see any damage...

for the front "pop", check the trackbar bolt on the axle mount. I see that a lot. gotta get that bolt tight.

for the spring noise, what disconnects do you have? the RE "Gen2" disconnects are pretty noisy. I have to hit mine with spray lithium grease every few weeks to keep them quiet.

as for normal noises... my RE leafs are pretty squeaky when I jump on the rock rails. the front is quiet except for the disconnects (and shocks occasionally. cheapo doesch techs)

oh, and welcome to the XJ club!

When my sway bar is disconected it hits the spring somtimes and somtimes the spring lowers away from the upper coil mount and makes noise when comming back down. This is normal. As far as you rear leaves go ,they will break in some and as you wheel harder you will carry extra tools fluids,parts and weight that will make the rear feel a lot softer. Sounds like you did your homework and lots of us on here know how great it is to deal with Dirk. Remember that with bigger tires you are now traveling further than you were before per revolution of tire. This will affect your actual milage so will boging your Jeep down with taller mud tires and stock gearing. Gears and lockers will be your freind to get power and milage back.

I get a nice loud clunk in my front end as well. It is the sway bar links clunking on the coils and or rubbing on the engine skid (if you have one). Yours may be something different but I know this is what mine was! Also...I 2nd Stump....regear front and rear to 4.56 with 33s and don't forget to change the spedo gear if you care how fast you are going. Good luck.

Thanks for the replys and info. I am not really new to the forum. Dont know why it says I have only posted 4 times??? I wish it were the swaybar disconnects... they are removed everytime I go off pavement. I think the clunk is the track bar though. I had my wife drive it back and fourth over a curb and noticed it moving around at the axle. I will get that shored up tomorrow. As far as the creeking noise in the front still searching...

I have the AW4 so my stock gears are 3.55s. Do I have to get a new carrier for 4.56s up front???

well, I found the answer to the noise I thought was the coil spring. Low and behold that is what it was. At full up travel on the driver's side the coil spring bends inwards and makes contact with the frame at or around the track bar upper mount. Dont know what long term effects this will have but I will post if there are any. For now, just some rubbing.

The other front end noise I am having might be a bearing. Not too sure. Got to get that checked out. I thought it might have been the lower track bar bolt not being tight enough but that is not the case. The bolt is tight and it sounds like it is coming from the drivers side. Since that is the short shaft of the D30, it might be a bearing.


On another topic, I am looking into stroking my 4.0L or building a small block chevy. This is something I wont try to tackle for another 6 months or so. Just looking for some opinions....
I know I am probably hasta, but I like discussing engine tech. Even if it is redundant...

Since your spring is rubbing there....i'd tend to believe that your trackbar isnt the right length....

rcmf5525 said:

well, I found the answer to the noise I thought was the coil spring. Low and behold that is what it was. At full up travel on the driver's side the coil spring bends inwards and makes contact with the frame at or around the track bar upper mount. Dont know what long term effects this will have but I will post if there are any. For now, just some rubbing.

The other front end noise I am having might be a bearing. Not too sure. Got to get that checked out. I thought it might have been the lower track bar bolt not being tight enough but that is not the case. The bolt is tight and it sounds like it is coming from the drivers side. Since that is the short shaft of the D30, it might be a bearing.


On another topic, I am looking into stroking my 4.0L or building a small block chevy. This is something I wont try to tackle for another 6 months or so. Just looking for some opinions....
I know I am probably hasta, but I like discussing engine tech. Even if it is redundant...

Click to expand...

Lay under the rig when someone is turnign the steering wheel. I had a very similar noise on mine, and it was a combination ofthe lower trac bar bolts slipping (and it was tight), and the upper joint 'popping'. the ball joints on these are springloaded, and they will move up and down.

we tightened the lower joint up and used a slightly larger diameter bolt, and the noise went away. the original bolt was too small for the hles, and eventho it was tight, the whole sleeve/bolt assembly would move back and forth. Only way to see it is like I said above, you won't see it unless someone is moving the steering and loading thigns up.