ZJ Front to rear lift How much lift should i expect?

jeep95xj · 07-09-2009, 06:30 PM

OK Im new to the ZJ world. I want to install a small lift in my 96 ZJ. From what i understand the 4.0 ZJ front coils will give 3" of lift in the rear. I would then use a puck or a 3" coil up front. Im not worried about that. I have two main questions.

1) Will WJ 4.0 front coils work in the back of a ZJ? If so will they offer any more lift than ZJ front coils?

2) How much more ( if any ) lift will V8 ZJ front coils lift the back of a ZJ over a 4.0 front coil?

Id like to end up with 3.0"-3.5" of lift when all is said and done.

**blackjack12982** · 07-09-2009, 06:40 PM

1. No, WJ coils will not work. Different spring diameters.
2. IIRC, for the F to R lift you need V8 coils to put in the rear. 4slo coils aren't going to net you close the full 3.5 inches or so.

jeep95xj · 07-09-2009, 07:41 PM

Anyone else?

jeep95xj · 07-09-2009, 09:46 PM

No one has anything else to add? Come on guys i cant believe that!

**the88thpianoman** · 07-09-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeep95xj

No one has anything else to add? Come on guys i cant believe that!

What other questions do you have?

WJ coils won't work, and ZJ 4.0 coils won't net you the 3.0 - 3.5" you're looking for.

jeep95xj · 07-09-2009, 10:09 PM

I got that im still curious how much lift the 4.0 coils will offer me? From some other posts im reading people are saying 4.0 coils hit 3.0" and the V8 coils offer 3.5". Im just looking to confirm this or for someone to tell me otherwise. What year was the overland offered since those are from what im reading the best coils to use for the swap.

QuadraTokn · 07-09-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackjack12982

2. IIRC, for the F to R lift you need V8 coils to put in the rear. 4slo coils aren't going to net you close the full 3.5 inches or so.

Actually, the I6 and V8 weigh about the same so the V8 springs are just stiffer.

jeep95xj · 07-09-2009, 11:16 PM

OK so now we are at 1 &1 lol. Usually the way it goes. Anyone know what shocks i can use that are 3" longer? As you can see im on a budget. A tight one at that. Im sure someone else on here but together a lift like this and has this stuff figured out.

**the88thpianoman** · 07-09-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeep95xj

OK so now we are at 1 &1 lol. Usually the way it goes. Anyone know what shocks i can use that are 3" longer? As you can see im on a budget. A tight one at that. Im sure someone else on here but together a lift like this and has this stuff figured out.

For good shocks on a budget, most on here will recommend black diamonds. Not sure exactly how much 4.0 springs will net you, but I've seen a couple people try it on here and then source V8 springs due to the sagging and soft ride present with the 4.0 springs. As for the Overland springs, the Overland is a trim level on the WJ, what you're looking for are the Upcountry springs, which can be sourced from any ZJ that was given the factory option. They can be tough to find and somewhat pricey when you do, though.

x91j · 07-11-2010, 02:16 PM

Same question. So if I put my 4.0 zj coils in the rear I won't get 3 inches?

StellaTheZJ · 07-11-2010, 07:11 PM

This is something you've probably searched for, but this has indeed been covered a bunch of times. There are a huge pile of options for this kind of lift (in order of expected lift: XJ I6, XJ UpCountry, ZJ I6, ZJ I6 UpCountry, ZJ V8, ZJ V8 UpCountry, where do TJs fit???) But if you couldn't find it, here's what I tried and found on my Jeep:

V6 Cherokee coils netted about 2" and the handling was awful, as the springs were too soft.

I6 ZJ Non-UpCountry give me a solid 3." In fact, I have 3" aluminum spacers in the front, and I now have the slightest rake, so maybe they're good for 3.25". Stock ride and handling, full uptravel in a crossup.

V8 ZJ Non-UpCountry gave me about 4". Stock shocks are almost at max extension just sitting still. I didn't run them long because the ride was quite rough when the Jeep was empty, and because 4" was more than I wanted to eke out of the front.

Guesses:
Expect the UpCountry springs to be, say, 1/2" higher than the non-UpCountry versions.

If you only want 2" or so, I bet an I6 XJ spring would get there, if not, then an I6 XJ UpCountry probably would.

Pics include all three options I tried: V6, I6 ZJ, V8 coils (in that order):

x91j · 07-11-2010, 09:28 PM

thats with the zj i6 coils in the rear?

StellaTheZJ · 07-11-2010, 11:25 PM

First pic is XJ V6 coils in the back. Don't bother, even if they're lying around (like mine were).

Second pic is ZJ I6. Great stock ride and handling, honest 3" (plus a little bit).

Third pic is ZJ V8, which didn't end up being a lot higher than I6 - just a lot stiffer! Here's another V8 spring pic. I wish all three had been taken from exactly the same vantage point.

bigb229 · 07-12-2010, 01:47 AM

ive got the 4.0L coils in the back of my zj....with 1" SPACERS im sitting at 4". shes got 145K on the odometer.

x91j · 07-12-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StellaTheZJ

First pic is XJ V6 coils in the back. Don't bother, even if they're lying around (like mine were).

Second pic is ZJ I6. Great stock ride and handling, honest 3" (plus a little bit).

Third pic is ZJ V8, which didn't end up being a lot higher than I6 - just a lot stiffer! Here's another V8 spring pic. I wish all three had been taken from exactly the same vantage point.

did u have to do anything with the track bars?