Ok so today I was working on my jeep cherokee and I was thinking of a post i read on (NAXJA) I know WTF is he doing their?:shaking: It was about fliping the leaf springs to expand my wheel base.


So my first question is how far is it going to go back?

Do I need a new drive shaft?





If there is something im missing please let me know thanks.


Ryan

So my first question is how far is it going to go back?
Measure the offset of the center pin (or the center of axle) from center of the leaf springs forward to aft. Lets say the axle is 2 inches forward of center. Flipping leafs will move it 4 inches back, or 2 inches aft of center.

Do I need a new drive shaft?
Depends on how much slip you have left after the switch. Remove your driveshaft and measure the slip length. Wait, I bet you have a slip yoke t-case right? If so, you will need a new shaft. Get a SYE kit while your at it.

You also will have to trim your fenders I bet.

Measure the offset of the center pin (or the center of axle) from center of the leaf springs forward to aft. Lets say the axle is 2 inches forward of center. Flipping leafs will move it 4 inches back, or 2 inches aft of center.


Depends on how much slip you have left after the switch. Remove your driveshaft and measure the slip length. Wait, I bet you have a slip yoke t-case right? If so, you will need a new shaft. Get a SYE kit while your at it.

You also will have to trim your fenders I bet.



Yea i no about the fenders im not trippin about that its just the drive shaft

Just get your slip yoke eliminator kit(if you ahve a slip yoke) and call up a drivelien shop. Should be no problem. I used Jess @ high angle driveline. He is a vendor on this board. You wont have any problems with him, or his work.

i don't see why you need a longer WB on a XJ anyway? what's your stock WB? how many waterfalls can't you climb right now? but yeah, if you stretch it, you will prolly need to adjust the driveshaft as said. even if you already have an SYE especially stretching 2-4 inches.

id research it a bit more. correct me if im wrong, but i thought leaf springs were designed to run one direction. the rear section of the leafs acts as the acctual spring and the front section is stiffer like a control arm. all the center pin holes are offset in each leaf so the leafs are longer behind the axle 4 a reason. it'd be like mounting a link suspension backwards from your axle to your rear bumper. and the springs would be a lot more vulnerable to wraping

id research it a bit more. correct me if im wrong, but i thought leaf springs were designed to run one direction.
I have yet to see a leaf spring with a "front" with an arrow. They mentioned nothing of this at school, or have i heard of it yet in the field. I have built leaf springs and have found no reason to make one end the front vs the aft.

the rear section of the leafs acts as the acctual spring and the front section is stiffer like a control arm. all the center pin holes are offset in each leaf so the leafs are longer behind the axle 4 a reason.
They are stiffer due to the offset center pin. And no, the front of the axle leafs do compress, allot.

it'd be like mounting a link suspension backwards from your axle to your rear bumper. and the springs would be a lot more vulnerable to wraping
You mean like the front end of a linked vehicle? And no, we are not talking about switching the shackle. Just the leaf spring under the shackle. And how it is more vulnerable to wrapping? The leaf spring proportions are going to be identical, except the shorter side will be worked on by extension torque, instead of compression torque. Mabye it will matter. I bet to the engineer designing a vehicle inside an office it does. Probably not to us for all practical purposes.

The length of spring behind the axle determines the ride height, right? Would reversing the spring lower the rear of the vehicle some?

id research it a bit more. correct me if im wrong, but i thought leaf springs were designed to run one direction. the rear section of the leafs acts as the acctual spring and the front section is stiffer like a control arm. all the center pin holes are offset in each leaf so the leafs are longer behind the axle 4 a reason. it'd be like mounting a link suspension backwards from your axle to your rear bumper. and the springs would be a lot more vulnerable to wraping

You are wrong on all counts except for the added spring wrap.
I have run ford 57" springs reversed on most of my wheelers for the added departure angle.

You also may have to relocate your fuel tank.