Is moving the rear springs of a cherokee from outside the rails to underneath the rails do any good for me? Ive heard a couple people do this but is it really worth it? from what I can see, (more flex / flatter springs ) is it really worth it when you factor in the work? what do I need to do to the rails before I can weld some hangers underneath the rails...

from what I can pick at the top of my head.... the spring pearches will need to be moved closer together, also the exhaust needs to be rerouted.


I need to relocate my peraches anyway cuz I just lifted it, also I tossed the old exhaust out long time ago so the exaust will be redone anyway.


what are the pros and cons?

Is this really worth it?

Tanks:D

It would be a waste of time and money and what benefit would you get? except loss of departure angle, what was your thoughts on why it would be better? This one makes no sence to me at all?:confused:

There's a good thread on NAXJA about this - Wanderingwillys did this as well. Its an older thread so you'll hafta do some diggin'.

Originally posted by NothernAZxj
It would be a waste of time and money and what benefit would you get? except loss of departure angle, what was your thoughts on why it would be better? This one makes no sence to me at all?:confused:


well... It looked like a good idea because;

first, it would give you a bit more flex. by narrowing the springs inward it creates less arc for the spring to travel, but at the ends of the axle (wheels) travel much more. its kinda hard to explain sorry Ive Im not clear on this part.:(

2nd, since your moving the leafs underneath the rails, your acutally getting about 4 more inches of lift. that means you can get a flatter leaf for the same hight when the leaves where outside, which means a bit more flex.

and 3rd (which I did not mention in my 1st post) I was thinking. If I do this, it will give me the chance to move me rear 3-6 inches back... (its not like I really need it but, HEY! it will help)





[EDIT] My enlish is a second language, I hope you kinda understand, I tried to be clear as I could, sorry about that.


BTW: thanks for the direction Economos heres what I found... (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2456&highlight=springs+under+frame+rails)

Why is this in Gen 4x4 and not Jeep talk??

Karmir the benefits you've listed also have their downsides. Obviously more lift is more unstable, but when you also move the springs in board it essentially lowers the effective spring rate creating more sway on the road and more tipsyness(I can't spell, bite me :flipoff2:) on off-camber stuff. Make sense?? The wheel essentially has a longer lever arm over the spring. If you do this and go to a flatter spring while you're at it, I would look for a stiffer spring at the same time. HTH

Ary

2nd, since your moving the leafs underneath the rails, your acutally getting about 4 more inches of lift. that means you can get a flatter leaf for the same hight when the leaves where outside, which means a bit more flex.

Down flex yes but since the spring is flatter you will be busting main leafs on up flex unless you extend the bumpstops which means you wil loose much of what you have gained, and I own several MJ's which the springs are in from the XJ about 1" on each side adn lifted even that small amount makes it less stable on the road. you are talking about moving the springs in 3" on each side. unless you use sway bars and several shocks on each side it will be unsafe to drive. very tippy. This has been tried before by several on NAXJA as you already know without much success. You will also loose 4" of deparutre angle

I guess you guys have it all figured out and I just have yet to realize my setup sucks ;) (I am kinda slow in the head) I have had mine set up like this for the last couple of years...

I did it for totally different reasons than anything listed here...

My shackles ripped the welded nut out of the back of the frame rail and then proceded to destroy most of the shackle box - This meant I could either try and cobble together a new shackle box or try something a little different...

In the last couple of years I can count the number of times I have hit the spring mounts (also the number of times I drag the frame rail as they are the same) on both hands

I liked the swap as you can lengthen the wheel base and set up a buggy leaf at the same time... It works for me and I suppose that is really all that matters...

Matt

Hanger:

http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/Crossmember/anti_wrap_bar1.JPG

Toasted shackle box (the inside is worse):

http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/Misc_Exterior/mudflap3.JPG

Originally posted by NothernAZxj
You will also loose 4" of deparutre angle

No....?

The shackle to ground height (departure angle) will remain the same as he has now but he will lift the body another 3in or so.

If you compair a 3-4in lift spring in factory location to a stock pack relocated under the frame, yes the relocated pack will have a worse departure angle...

My front XJ leafs are 31.5in center to center, under the frame, it robs all the flex from the rear cause the rear has less weight and has more seperation. This would work good on my rig.. but it would it be worth my time? It still needs a track bar... so I figure just 4 link it when the time comes.

My front though narrow leaf width is verry stable... 82in wide... so stable. So it depends on your setup.

The rear buggy leaf is a good compromise for the under the frame situation, also you shocks laying down over 45* helps keep it stable.

but you do loose 3" of groud clearance on the front of teh leaf whhich when I was wheeling an XJ that section of the frame is always on the rocks and sliding, I would have hung up on those hundreds of time on the narrow one line trails here in AZ.

do you still have front coils? and what kind of terrain do you wheel?

Originally posted by NothernAZxj
The rear buggy leaf is a good compromise for the under the frame situation, also you shocks laying down over 45* helps keep it stable.

I wouldent do the buggy leaf...

Shocks like coilovers, the wider spread you mount them at the body the better control of boddy roll.

Im gonna move my shocks to out side the rear "frame" so they go through the floor and above the wheel well.