i finally did it

[superj]

i didn't really like hte four doors the first time i saw them, they looked like the h2 or h3. owning this one, i like the drivetrain and the ability to remove the top panels but the interior is not comfortable because its so angular and and the suspension feels like it doesn't stay connected to the road well, like its hops sometimes.

just an update for everyone, i have the pictures for the back install but its not a whole lot different then installing the front. i still ahve to put shocks on too and i have a slight vibration around 30mph but i think its because the old shocks are over extended and i think they are stuck in the out position now. i have zero flex in the rear end currently and the front end rides perfectly so i will change the back shocks out this afternoon. the front shocks that came with this kit won;t work so i will have to get some others from ome that are right.

 

[greg92jeepxj]

It's funny , but now I feel the same way with regards to my view of the 4 door , appears a lot like the hummer , doesent it. Guess back when it hit the street , it was exciting because it was new and different. Never rode in one and always wondered how its road manners were , on and off road. No wonder there is such vast aftermarket. I guess if you own a 4 dr. JK , you'll need to upgrade suspension to improve handling. Getting aboard must take getting used to . Same for getting out , like climbing into and out of a cab over tractor. Will be looking forward to the report on the road characteristics with the recommended shocks. It always seems when lift is added that shock selection is critical . Each graduation in lift (2,3,4,6 etc.) seems to need the right shock or ride and handling is greatly effected much more so than stock. But it seems to be expected with increase in travel on or off road.

 

[superj]

yes sir

 

[superj]

OK, final pics.

Set up jack stands on something solid again.

Looks solid

Get tools. The wire wheel on the grinder cleans threads good so stuff comes apart easier

This size is the most common size for this swap. Take that bolt off also.

Loosen this bottom bolt and remove also.

Undo these ones first though, somehow my pics are not in order.

This is the difference in the rear springs. Major difference

When doing your shocks, see that but on top, take it off.

Undo the nut/bolt at the bottom of the shock and the shock will drop out.

If your shocks come out like this, be glad you are replacing them, the small one is no good.

Now, reinstall your shocks and tighten stuff down. Remember when doing this, don't fully tighten the suspension till the jeep is on the ground or it will ride crappy. Then after that, park it and measure the lift

 

[superj]

Driver's front

Driver rear

Passenger rear

Passenger front


After this lift I have developed vibrations so I will try a transfer case drop and see what happens. I think the 5 leaf springs should have went on the front but when I googled the placement, it seems I have it right. Since my jeep had 5 leaf springs all the way around, I think having the same amount all the way around would be the best deal but I don't think I needed the heavy duty old man emu springs, which are 5 leaf. To me, the 4 leaf front are super nice feeling and the back is a little more solid right now. Maybe it will break in and ride better after a few weeks, who knows.

 

[greg92jeepxj]

You made a good point regarding whether to use 4 or 5 leaf springs . My '92 has 4 leaf springs in the rear and have been debating whether to use replacement 4 leaf or to upgrade to 5. I personally feel a cherokee will ride far too stiff and handling will be terrible with 5 leaf unless your going for major lift with 33" tires all around for superior off road performance but in my case , my jeep sees the asphalt year round and rarely goes off road these days so I'm thinking 4 leaf medium strength for me. Gas shocks should take care of stability and comfort. I noticed in one pic , after the u-bolt was removed , it appeared the u-bolt took a deep bite into the tube , was that an issue ? Also , was there a bead of weld across the tube as well ? Nice lift all around ! Will certainly be following along with the t-case drop to beat down the bad vibes.

 

[superj]

That spot is where dirt and grime had built up around the ubolt so under the bolt was more clean then the rest of the axle tube. That is where the tube is actually black and the other visible stuff is grey brown grimey color.

I think the four leaf would have been best for me all the way around and if this rides to rough in the current set up, I will swap the 5 leaf ones to the front. I think that would even the look out also since right now the back sits a bit higher.

I was talking with a buddy who we are working on his cj7 on weekends and he said he always ran the 5 leaf springs on the front anyways and it worked out perfectly.

 

[greg92jeepxj]

Whew ! I feel better knowing the tubes are ok . I knew they had to be , you would have pointed it out . I guess I was looking at the pic too hard or something. Glad you can do that with a wrangler ( 4 corner leaf system) , I put new coils up front but never decided what leafs for the rear. A little confused what's best , 4 door body but rarely load it . Want to take into consideration additional weight if need be , but don't want too stiff a ride a DONT want the bounce. Sounds like 4 leaf will be best with a little stiffer shocks. With those fender flares and those tires , it's got a good look and a whole new attitude ! Looking good ! Yeah , we'll be looking forward to the spring swap for best ride results. Really appreciate your hard work , I know it'll be dialed in soon .

 

[69jeepcj]

regarding the springs J. I wouldn't worry about the 4 leafs being in the back at all (normal). Springs are built with diff spring rates, you could have 10 leafs in a pack and it may ride better than say one with 4-5 because of its spring rate. I had a shop owner that was a friend at the time go into great detail about springs when I was buying a set once. I couldn't begin to go into all detail, I simply don't remember. But basicly the front has more leafs because there is more weight up front with the engine and the springs rebound needs to be a bit stiffer than the rear. A lift for a 6 cyl will have a diff spring rate than one for a 4cyl (more weight). The packs may have the same leafs but the springs rebound rate will be diff. The rear carries no load, and will settle in after a while. It will probably take longer than a few weeks though. I added a BDS lift and had the same thing going on with the rear sitting higher than the front, it settled in about a year. I parked the jeep often where the rear suspension was flexed a little hoping it would help them break in. Don't really know if it helped or not. The rear of my jeep was a bit bouncy but as the year went on it felt better and better.

 

[69jeepcj]

Oh, and OME is one of the best off the shelf aftermarket leaf springs kits you can get. They are big into springs rates.

 

[superj]

hmm, ok. i will let it ride for a while with 5 in the back then. a guy on 3rd coast jeepers said i can have a t-case drop that came in a jeep he bought so i can see if that takes care of hte vides deal. i know changing those ome shocks in made it ride waaaaay better then before so we will see.

thanks guys, for the input.

 

[superj]

Got bored, lined the inside while waiting for tcase drop kit. Tomorrow will be drop kit install and carpet install

 

[69jeepcj]

I totally read your post wrong, but I do believe the 5 were supposed to go in front. That's weird, maybe wranglers are diff. Sorry for the confusion. I think I need to quit getting on here at 6:00 in the morning. Ive made a few mistakes lately.

 

[superj]

Ha ha ha, no problem. I have tomorrow and Sunday to swap them out

 

[superj]

Liner done

 

[superj]

Carpet in now too. Man, so much quieter while driving. And no hot feet from exhaust radiant heat.

 

[greg92jeepxj]

Real nice job on the liner coating . Man that is one good looking ride , and for an '87 , it looks great ! There's jeeps younger that cannot claim that. That jeep is one clean mean machine !

 

[superj]

Thank you sir

 

[superj]

ok guys, i finally swapped the springs around because it just felt rough riding. now though, with the four leaf springs in back and the five leaf in front, the jeep rides so nice. it rides as nice as it did when i had the stock springs on it and i no longer have bump steer. once i ride around on them for a while, i will remeasure for a final height record. i have a tiny bit of vibration at 70mph which i think is from the driveshaft but i don;t know how to adjust it out. i have dropped the t-case already so i will mess around with the height and see if i can get rid of it completely but lowering or raising the t-case a little. i used big huge washers to shim it down so i can adjust as much as i want

(i noticed also my steering stabilizer is not working and possibly has not been working for a while, ha ha ha)

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Your rear pinion may need adjusted to match the transfer case drop. The rear axle pinion should be parallel with the transfer case rear output.