Leaf Replacement - New Jeep owner!

[helmetface]

Alright guys, I'll try to make this quick and painless:

I'm looking to replace my stock leaf springs that are arching nearly 3" in the wrong direction..I figured while I'm at it I would get a little lift out of it..

List:
2" HD OME leafs x2 http://www.quadratec.com/products/16090_5056.htm

Main eye bushing x2
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56001_05.htm

Shackle bushing x2
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56001_06.htm

Stock shackle x2
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56005_04.htm

U Bolts (dana35) x4
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56009_06.htm

U bolt nut x8
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56009_50.htm

2" Spring spacer
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006IVC9I6

Anything I'm missing? Any suggestions? I'll get some Bilstein 5100's down the road..going to ride out the stock ones for now.

Thanks all!

 

[helmetface]

Shameless bump.

Just looking for a yay or nay on the parts list.

Thanks!

 

[Ronbo]

Looks good - just double check the OEM bushings will fit those springs - it looks like they will from the pics, but you never know(my aftermarket leafs don't use the OEM sized bushing at the front mount).

The U-bolts look too large for the D35(3.18"??). Double check the tube diameter and get some from Currie, and they come with washers you'll need too.

http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/product.aspx?id=3696

And like you said, the original shocks will not be ideal. There is the possibility of driveline vibrations depending on your set up too.

 

[helmetface]

Looks good - just double check the OEM bushings will fit those springs - it looks like they will from the pics, but you never know(my aftermarket leafs don't use the OEM sized bushing at the front mount).

The U-bolts look too large for the D35(3.18"??). Double check the tube diameter and get some from Currie, and they come with washers you'll need too.

http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/product.aspx?id=3696

And like you said, the original shocks will not be ideal. There is the possibility of driveline vibrations depending on your set up too.

Awesome ronbo, I'll look into the bushings and u bolts.

Why might you think I'd have driveline vibration? Everything else is stock. Should I do a TC drop as well. Again, it's an 00 XJ..I was under the impression 2" wouldn't give me trouble.

Thanks again

 

[Boveevil]

You'll know after putting it together and driving it if you'll need the TC drop. I'd hold off on it for now.

 

[Alaskan89XJ]

Just an additional 2 cents; check out the Old Man Emu applications via: http://www.arbusa.com/ There is a pdf to look at. Call, and get re-routed to a tech to discuss what you need, (looking at your pdf numbers), so as to balance out your rig to the level you want, and to be able to properly order parts from the retail outlet of your choice.

I chose OME as the endless rutted, washboard dirt roads of Australia seemed to me to be great proving grounds to insure that the metallurgy/temper of these leafs, and coils would outlive my XJ. In Alaksa, the OEM did not last 170k on mine, so I expect even better with OME. Both the techs on ARBUSA, and then at the retail outlet I ordered from, http://www.4wheelparts.com/ were great to insure that all parts I ordered were correct, with no need to send anything back, i.e., no need to re-order. If you choose front coil spacers for your OEM, and do not intend to add a heavy bumper, winch, etc., you will probably be ok. If you want to upgrade the front end later with the heavy weights consider OME front coils. With my DD's 2" OME set-up, (light off-roading), with the OME front coils, ARB bull bar/Warn 8000 winch, the max diameter of my tires is 30 inch.

 

[souske]

I have heard.great things about stengelbrothers for bushings

How much lift is your goal?
how handy are you?

What would it take to get you to consider becoming a member of naxja?

 

[helmetface]

I have heard.great things about stengelbrothers for bushings

How much lift is your goal?
how handy are you?

What would it take to get you to consider becoming a member of naxja?

For now, 2" will suffice- it's a DD first and foremost. Not interested in offroading it.

I'm pretty handy, however I'm most familiar with racecars and not 4x4 trucks.

I become a member of most sites that I find useful to me. However, I'm a junior member here, at jeep forums and cherokee and that'll add up fast. .ha

 

[Teephphah]

If you're not planning on offroading it, you can probably save a lot of money on a lift that size. OME is great by all accounts, but you also pay for what you get. You may not need somethng that high performing for a grocery getter (but if you can afford it easilly, why the heck not?). Save some money on the lift and go ahead and get new shocks now.

On a related note, if you're going to be replacing shocks, plan on replacing your shock bolts too.

 

[helmetface]

If you're not planning on offroading it, you can probably save a lot of money on a lift that size. OME is great by all accounts, but you also pay for what you get. You may not need somethng that high performing for a grocery getter (but if you can afford it easilly, why the heck not?). Save some money on the lift and go ahead and get new shocks now.

On a related note, if you're going to be replacing shocks, plan on replacing your shock bolts too.

Hey teephphah, thanks for the information.

The reason I wanted to go with OME over OE was the price difference wasn't much, I don't want to end up sagging on OE's in short time, people rave about OME's comfort and lastly, I didn't want to rely on shackles to get 2" of lift.

And in regards to shocks, what do you think is the cheapest setup that is still quality and comfortable? I was thinking the Bilstein 5100's were a good choice as I can get all four corners for $300. But I'm definitely open to suggestions.

Lastly, in regards to the shock bolts, are you just referring to the top bolts? (Ie 2 per shock)

Thanks again

 

[Teephphah]

The reason I wanted to go with OME over OE was the price difference wasn't much, I don't want to end up sagging on OE's in short time, people rave about OME's comfort and lastly, I didn't want to rely on shackles to get 2" of lift.

And in regards to shocks, what do you think is the cheapest setup that is still quality and comfortable? I was thinking the Bilstein 5100's were a good choice as I can get all four corners for $300. But I'm definitely open to suggestions.

Now that you mention it, I think I faced the same dilemna when I was doing mine. I think it was the online guy from Quadratec who talked me out of it. Anyway, I went with brand new OEM (well, Crown) springs and a Rubicon Express add-a-leaf 2.5" kit. I think it all together came to just slightly less than the OME springs when all was said and done and that included shocks (Rubicon Express). Ended up netting me about 4" lift in the rear end. 2.5" up front (my ass was sagging . . . bad).

As for shocks, I'm certainly no expert. When I was looking at going with OME, I naturally figured, hey, if you're going to go with OME, GO WITH OME, right? Maybe not. Like the OME stuff, everyone who comments on such things tends to rave about the Bilstein 5100's. I've also heard very good things about Monroe Sensatracs, which I believe are a bit more economical than most of the other options you'll hear about. (Could be wrong there though, I'm still kind of new at this too).

Lastly, in regards to the shock bolts, are you just referring to the top bolts? (Ie 2 per shock)

Yes indeed. Lower nuts, no problem. Front bolts, also no problem. Those four in the back? Problems.

I literally just installed my lift by myself this past weekend and I thought I was ready for everything. I'd been spraying all of my bolts with PB Blaster for, heck, MONTHS off an on in anticipation of getting the balls to actually go through with it. STILL managed to bust the heads off of three of the four rear upper shock bolts. The good news is, there are lots of great tutorials online on how to bust out the old nuts/broken bolts with a pneumatic hammer and fish new bolts into the holes with wire. Pretty darned easy actually. Thank God.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Not sure what your total cost is for what you have listed in your OP. But have you considered checking out DPGoffroad. They mostly specialize is OME and OME/hybrid lifts. Dirk is the go to guy.
Either way, I definitely recommend OME coils to match. Then, if you choose to go higher, add a spacer, ACOS, etc.
As far as shocks, OME also makes great shocks. I would say comparable to Bilstein 5100s.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I did the OME 2in leafs with the bushings (Daystar I think) and all the hardware needed from Quadratec, and bought 2in lift coils from Rusty's Offroad, and used some basic shocks from Vatozone till I got my better shocks. Pretty much almost the exact setup you are going with. I also had spacers and a 1.5 shackle on standby just in case I wanted to go bigger. I also started on 275/35s and went to 30in Dunlop mud tires. I kept my fender flares and did no trimming. This was on my '95 with a Auto, 231, and a 8.25. No vibes, deleted the sway bars and got really good flex and still maintained DD drivability. I think for the money it was the best way to go and I was very happy with what I got. It was great for minor to moderate offroading in dirt and rocks. Wish I hadn't sold the jeep.

Installing the front coils was easy and quick, but the rear leafs were a pain due to the bolts snapping and the nut rotating. Ended up simply cutting access holes to get to the bolts. It was my first time doing suspension really, since all mods I've done in the past have been engine related for the most part. Other than that, it wasn't bad, took my time, and had fun. Also had a member there with me guiding me but really, it was pretty cut and dry as to what to do. Ended up taking a weekend to do it since we really weren't in a rush and were also trying to use JK shocks in place of regular shocks along with a bunch of other things there side tracked our progress. Hope this kinda gives ya an idea.

-Eric

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Another thing you can do for meow, as far as shocks go. JK take-offs. Should be under 100$ for a set.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Make sure you get the right kind. As I learned you need that and get them prepped before hand.

-Eric