[Cherokeegrrl]

After adding my Detours bumper/carrier and the heavy *** spare, my Cherokee has a noticeable sag in the rear end. Let me hear some options for the fix, and why you think that's the best option. I really don't want to trash my rear springs and I want to regain the lost clearance, so I gotta act soon.

Current Specs:
Rear - Old Man Emu 3" springs, plus their full length AAL & 1" JKS shackles = 5".
Front - OME 3" springs plus 2" spacers = 5"

Help me out by doing the poll, and let e know why you chose that option.

[keaton]

Originally Posted by Cherokeegrrl

After adding my Detours bumper/carrier and the heavy *** spare, my Cherokee has a noticeable sag in the rear end. Let me hear some options for the fix, and why you think that's the best option. I really don't want to trash my rear springs and I want to regain the lost clearance, so I gotta act soon.

Current Specs:
Rear - Old Man Emu 3" springs, plus their full length AAL & 1" JKS shackles = 5".
Front - OME 3" springs plus 2" spacers = 5"

I clicked the "Poll" option, but I dunno how to add the tabs when I preview, so here are the options so far:

1) Completely new RE or Black Diamond 5.5" lift springs, front & rear (and who would buy my OME lift? )
2) New 5.5" spring pack for the rear, worry about the front if I add a front bumper
3) New 5.5" spring pack for the rear, ACOS for the front
4) Another OME full length AAL for 1" more lift (it's been done)
5) Longer shackles
6) Any other options?

If you got the money go with Option 1 and get a full new kit. Thatd robably be the best. But im sure you could go with 2 or 5 and be okay.

[99Greenmachine]

Originally Posted by keaton

If you got the money go with Option 1 and get a full new kit. Thatd robably be the best. But im sure you could go with 2 or 5 and be okay.

I agree...even a 4.5" pack with extended shackle would do well if you have the $$$.

If not, I suggest using some U bolt eliminators or a SMALL block like .5"-1" to help get you "up"

[plunn84]

I voted for the new suspension. I wouldn't just forget about the front springs if you upgrade to a higher lift in the rear... with any luck you would end up looking like a hot rod; so I threw that option out first. However, I also believe you would be good with an AAL kit, because, as you said, you didn't want to trash your current springs; how they will fair on top of another AAL, I don't know, never tried it. Longer shackles would only temporarily give that lift, until your springs flatten out completely.

[beneharris]

if you've got the money, go for the full springs

[Topgun514]

half inch longer shackles and half inch block

[Stout95YJ]

I would do a 1" block

[dcorn]

Shackle relocation boxes will give you a better shackle angle/ride quality, plus raise your rear up an inch or so. I'd also ditch the OME+AAL rear springs and get some RE 3.5" leafs. Those will give you a stiffer rear for the extra weight, plus plenty of lift.

Now how 'bout some pics of that bumper!

[justanotherjpr]

How much sag do you have in the rear? .5" block would be easy, cheap, and fast.

[mgramann]

Originally Posted by justanotherjpr

How much sag do you have in the rear? .5" block would be easy, cheap, and fast.

I agree with this. Any taller puts you at risk for axle wrap and premature spring wear.

I bet a small s10 spring added to the pack (not the overload) would give you some lift too.

[Cherokeegrrl]

Thanks for so many "other" options. Gives me lots to think about!
BTW I have to get a pic of the XJ on level ground to show the sag. I don't know how much & since the fenders are trimmed, I don't know how else to measure. But it's quite noticeable.

- I have this thing against blocks, I prefer to avoid them even though I know the smaller ones are "okay".
- plunn84 thanks for reminding me of the pitfalls of longer shackles. OME specifically warns agains using them, and I already have a pair, but I figured I could get away with it since I had their supporting AAL. Theirs is gently arched & thick, working with the pack instad of against it like other AAL's. I know I threw that out there as an option, but I'm not too keen on going that direction.
- greenmachine, I got to do some research into the U-bolt eliminators. I'm not familiar with those.
- dcorn! Shackle relocation boxes ... interesting option. I read about those recently, completely forgot about that. I'll have to look into them some more.
- I'm surprised more people arent going for the ACOS. I thought they were the hotness.
- And now for the full packs. Normally that would be my first (only) option. Do it right or not at all. But there'e the issue of the front.

Oh boy ... decisions, decisions.
Pics of bumper below, but I haven't got around to installing the lights or replacing the rear flares yet. (Oh, did I mention my new body armor ... )

[justanotherjpr]

What's your hang up with a half inch block? If you can get over whatever is holding you back from a .5" block, you can save some serious cash over new springs. I suppose you could also look into a U bolt eliminator from TREKS or the overload leaf from an S10..

Edit: ACOS will help in the front but IMO not worth the money when poly spacers are $40.

[Cherokeegrrl]

Originally Posted by justanotherjpr

What's your hang up with a half inch block? If you can get over whatever is holding you back from a .5" block, you can save some serious cash over new springs. I suppose you could also look into a U bolt eliminator from TREKS or the overload leaf from an S10..

Edit: ACOS will help in the front but IMO not worth the money when poly spacers are $40.

Well, OME specifically says not to use extended shackles with their leafs. I have 1" lift shackles. Even tho I have the AAL which supports the leafs, I think adding a block of any size would contribute to ruining the leafs. Do you know what those darn things cost? I question the wisdom of saving a few bucks now against trashing my pricey springs. Maybe I'm over-reacting, I dunno. Just tossing around ideas and trying to find the best solution before they go flat. I admit, half inch isn't much though, but I think my sag is more than that. It wouldn't be as noticeable. I'll try for a pic tomorrow.

[mgramann]

Originally Posted by Cherokeegrrl

Well, OME specifically says not to use extended shackles with their leafs. I have 1" lift shackles. Even tho I have the AAL which supports the leafs, I think adding a block of any size would contribute to ruining the leafs. Do you know what those darn things cost? I question the wisdom of saving a few bucks now against trashing my pricey springs. Maybe I'm over-reacting, I dunno. Just tossing around ideas and trying to find the best solution before they go flat. I admit, half inch isn't much though, but I think my sag is more than that. It wouldn't be as noticeable. I'll try for a pic tomorrow.

The s10 overload spring adds around 3/8ths inch, so that would probably take care of most of it. I have a set if you are interested. You can just have them.

[justanotherjpr]

Originally Posted by Cherokeegrrl

Well, OME specifically says not to use extended shackles with their leafs. I have 1" lift shackles. Even tho I have the AAL which supports the leafs, I think adding a block of any size would contribute to ruining the leafs. Do you know what those darn things cost? I question the wisdom of saving a few bucks now against trashing my pricey springs. Maybe I'm over-reacting, I dunno. Just tossing around ideas and trying to find the best solution before they go flat. I admit, half inch isn't much though, but I think my sag is more than that. It wouldn't be as noticeable. I'll try for a pic tomorrow.

I would never run a spring so crappy that I couldn't put a half inch block under it. The argument on using blocks is that they contribute to axle wrap. Most lift springs have enough arch that this isn't a problem, especially with a half inch block. You would do a lot better to get the half in block or 1.5" lift shackles than buying whole new springs, but it sounds like you've got it worked it. Best of luck.