Lowering xj by removing leaf spring?

[Kraylen]

Saw a thread where a guy lowered his xj by 2 inches by removing a leaf spring but he didn't say exactly what. Anyone with a lowered xj got any tips for the rear?

Thanks and flame on.

 

[Talyn]

Probably not the best way to do it, but it would probably work. Don't know which one though.

 

[blenny]

You may experience axle wrap abd leaf warping.... ask me how I know

 

[Kraylen]

Enlighten me Mr. Blenny.

I got the front dropped right now so I'm raking pretty hard. I'm eager to even it out but didn't want to make a hasty bad decision.

 

[blenny]

It did fine on the street, but wheeling with a heavy foot

 

[Kraylen]

My xj is 2wd, no wheeling, hauling or towing is done with it. It's on 17s with street tires.

 

[blenny]

Then you would probably be ok

 

[Kraylen]

Hmmmmm... i guess there is only one way to find out since this is sick a rare thing to do. Hopefully someone can chime in. The goal is not to break or ruin things now or later however I know there are too many variables to be 100% in a situation such as this.

 

[IXNAYXJ]

Here's how we altered the suspension on our road race XJ:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1059549

 

[Kraylen]

Excellent

 

[IXNAYXJ]

Excellent

You can check out some in-car footage to see how the set up handles:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TeamPettyCash

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

if you had some sort of traction bar or ladder bar then it might be ok, if not you can expect axle wrap, id go like the petty cash jepp and do lift springs then go spring under

 

[IXNAYXJ]

if you had some sort of traction bar or ladder bar then it might be ok, if not you can expect axle wrap, I'd go like the Petty Cash Jeep and do lift springs then go spring under

FWIW, we have not had axle wrap issues with our spring under set-up; as Rob points out, I'm sure you would if you just removed a leaf. By the time you built a traction bar, you probably wouldn't be any time ahead on doing a SUA conversion.

-Matt

 

[Kraylen]

Update: Removed the two smaller leaves several months ago and now have a 2dr/2wd xj with a 4 inch drop.