DD XJ?

I recently changed my job and now need to use my XJ for DD. I have a good start with 4.10 gears and 33" Toyo AT's with a FT long arm kit. I am currently getting 17.4 mpg and I recently instaled a Currie rock jock steering set up with the Goforit tie rod flip and had the wheel alignment done. My major problem is the rear end is stiff as hell. The springs dont seem to give at all and I even have a swing out tire carier with a 33" spare,trailer hitch and good size tool box in the back. The XJ has about an extra 300 pounds in the rear. I am running RS5000 shocks. I would like to get a smoother ride out of the rear end could anyone help me with ideas? Will it make a difference if I got RS9000 shocks so I can adjust the dampening?

take out some of that damn weight and give your rear some chance to flex..

what springs do you have?

doesnt full traction use a high spring rate on their springs since the are used in alot of baja situations?

x2, I think since its a "jeepspeed" type setup...I wanna say FT springs look a lot like Deaver springs - or at least they are built very similarly.

Those Rancho shocks are not the best. I'd suggest getting some Bilsteins. I'd say OME long travel, but 6" of lift might be too much for those...?

Have you looked at those bilstein 5150s

I have the FT leaf springs. I have not looked at any shocks yet. What do you all think would be the best set up?

I do think that OME's are too short for a 6" long arm kit. I have a 6.5 kit with spacers and shackles making it about 8" and its my DD.
I replaced my front shocks with Skyjacker hydro's, Origianaly I wanted to stay away from Skyjacker because they seemed more like "show" lifts and parts but the hydro's really keep the front in line and are softer than my origianal rusty's shocks.
As for the rear the leafs are really stiff and are pretty bad on bumps, I'm still experamenting with em.