XJ spring flipping to gain wheelbase

[pipehitter155]

can you just flip your springs around to gain wheelbase? i'm trying to do it but i can't it seems that my bushings are 2 different sizes is that normal? hope this doesn't sound to newb but i really want to get this rear end of the shit missile done with... and i did do a little searching...really came up with nothing...

[wes8517]

ya, you can flip them to gain about 4.5 inches of wheelbase. i think theres more info on it over on NAXJA somewhere. a couple people on here have done it

wes

[TJP]

You will need a traction bar or wheel hop will be a big issue. Some full size Cherokee springs would also work and will hold up better. They might require some mount work, but the shackle angle on stock XJ already requires some mount relocation for improved flex and better ride.

[Goatman]

Copied from a recent post in this thread:
/forum/jeep-cherokee/570327-who-makes-custom-leaf-packs-decent-price.html

Basically, you can't do that. Well, you can, but your springs won't last very long. Best thing is to use a longer spring pack and relocate the rear shackle.

Originally Posted by Goatman

Keep in mind that on a leaf spring the front half of the spring serves as a control arm, positioning the axle and transfering the axle torque/movement to the body. If you turn the spring around so the front half is longer than the rear half then the spring will fatigue much quicker due to the force that's applied to that half of the spring. If you need to move the axle rearward, the best thing would be to get a longer set of springs and locate the rear shackle further back or use a pretty long boomerang type shackle.

A set of Commanche leaves would move the axle back 3", and are 52" long, 5" longer than stock. If you're willing to piece together a set of leaves out of used springs, any local spring shop could bend up a main leaf for you. I'd also recommend you talk to Deaver, both to get a quote and to get some reputable advice on how to do what you're looking for.

[pipehitter155]

got yah goat....i think i'm gonna go ahead and build a pack on using an MJ main leaf and go from there and relocate the shackles...

[Goatman]

Originally Posted by pipehitter155

got yah goat....i think i'm gonna go ahead and build a pack on using an MJ main leaf and go from there and relocate the shackles...

The rear springs on my XJ have an MJ main leaf and the rest are from a 1/2 Chev. The Chev main leaf is longer, but I wanted the length of the MJ spring. I can't help you with relocating the rear shackle, since I left my axle in the stock location. I moved the front spring hanger foward 3" and made a boomerang shackle for the back. You can also get spacer blocks with the pin offset to move the springs a little.

[TJP]

You can also move the axle back an extra inch on so just by drilling an offset hole in your axle spring perch

[rok-jeep]

I flopped my springs around, I just took a grinder to the larger bushing and use a large grade 8 washer for a spacer in the front. I have custom 10 leaf National Springs in the back and so far they are doing ok. But I may swap out ot 63" chevy's soon.

Here are a few pics before I cut the fenders. I actually got about 7" out of mine.

[Xjcrawler736]

Originally Posted by Goatman

Basically, you can't do that. Well, you can, but your springs won't last very long. Best thing is to use a longer spring pack and relocate the rear shackle.

Right now I am using an XJ main leaf and have Dakota springs under it. If i flip it will it last? The Dakota springs are much more beefy then Xj springs.

[pipehitter155]

actually i got ahold of an 2 MJ spings pack from the junkyard yesterday as well as a blazer for the vetteboy tube door special....i took the the main leaf and one more leaf and swapped them in to rusty's 6.5 pack (1 for the other)got an 1 inch of lift roughly and move the axle back 6 inches between the springs and the BTF spring perches.





heres what it looked like w/ just he rusty's springs:

[keepviper13]

I flipped mine and have had no adverse problems yet....

I have custom mounts anyhow so the difference in bushing size didn't really matter to me...
Also I did the "slip and twist" version anti-wrap bar
You'll have to relocate the gas tank if you havn't done that allready as well

I'm lovin the added wheelbase and better departure angle..
Its been beat (literally beat, no pussy footing around) on the trail 7 full trail days and no signs of fatique...

[TJP]

top is for tech

[MikeyMoon]

sorry to pull this out of hardcore, but since someone mentioned redrilling for an inch, i thought i'd post a link to an easier way to get an inch:

http://www.enzyte.com

!!!
j/k
sorry

here's the real link:
http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/Zero%20Rates.htm

these are a quick way to get the front of your tire outta the door and add a little lift. pretty simple, but hey, they do what they claim!

[jeepnzj]

id have to say redrilling would still be easier than installing those and you dont gain an inch, height wise that is.

[TJP]

Originally Posted by jeepnzj

id have to say redrilling would still be easier than installing those and you dont gain an inch, height wise that is.

Just drilling a new hole in the perch is all thats needed. When I put new perches on an axle they have 3 holes in them each. One is to move the axle forward the other is to go rearward.

Most XJ's will stuff the rear tire better if the axle is move forward .75". I have found this puts the tire dead center in the wheelwell when fully flexed.

Different springs might have different results. It depends on how you cut your fenders also.

[bluewheelinYJ]

Does anyone have any dimensions on a stock XJ spring pack. Like the eye to eye and how far from the end the center pin is located?? I know its offset but just curious as to how much.

[TJP]

Tech to the top BS to the bottom...

[cherokeeguy]

Originally Posted by TJP

Tech to the top BS to the bottom...

I think everyone gets your point.