Coil options???

[Twisted4x4]

Ok ive been reading around on here about gaining more flex from my ttb front. so far from what im gathering i need longer radius arms and differnt springs to allow for more flex. Heres what Ive got: 89 reg cab short bed ranger with a 2.3. all of my suspension is factory with the exception of the 1.5" spacers i put under the coils. Ive got a 3" body lift and cut fenders to clear 35's. I dont want to go any higher in lift due to my type of wheeling. Basicly what im after is a set of coils that will flex better yet be close to stock size. Also what lenght shocks would help increase wheel travel?

Jon

 

[Twisted4x4]

ok just talked to a buddy of mine thats into jeeps. he has a set of stock cherokee coils layin around. will these help me any??

Jon

 

[martin]

There are more than one variety of springs that were used on the xj's but either way the stock springs will give you about the same ride height as your springs. Now for the bad news, apart from the steering issues, the beams are not far from the bump stops and as the springs are much softer you will be hitting the bump stops every time you hit a half decent bump. There are a few articles on this site about using xj springs and I would suggest reading through them before you make a decision.

 

[Twisted4x4]

Thanks. Ya that was one thing ive been looking at is my limited up travel. Guess really the only way around that is some lift brackets for the front, which i may need anyway after i put in new leafs today to level it with the back.

 

[4x4junkie]

I would get a short lift on there (3-4") and then if you want, drop an inch or 2 off your bodylift (cutting your current spacers down maybe).

Be sure to use the Skyjacker pitman arm #FA600 with the lift though, the drop arms that come with kits are too short to work properly with the increased movement flexier coils allow.

On a reg cab 2.3L truck, I think the Skyjacker coils pt# JC-60F will work dandy for about 4.5" lift. I run these coils on my BII and they are just about perfect (and a hair stiffer than the Rancho XJ coils I had before them). They also are maintaining their height over time exceptionally well too.

 

[Twisted4x4]

Coils

Thanks. Ya thats what ive been thinking, about a 4" front lift. And lowering my body lift wont be hard, its a home brew i made at work, each lift block is actually two 1.5" blocks stacked. Seeing as how i work in a machine shop im thinking of cutting off or probably gettin another set of brackets and making them into a 4" drop. Do you know if anyone has any templates drawn up for this? Also my front bumper is home brew made out of 1/4"x3" angle with a superwinch x9 sitting on it, weighs a little bit. Will the skyjacker coils still work? Ide imagine they would. Thanks again for all the help.

Jon

 

[4x4junkie]

I don't see the bumper as a problem (unless the thing is like 250+ pounds or something).

As for the brackets, there's this here in the Tech Library... If you're going to build everything for your lift I still would say it's probably easiest to just get a set of lift brackets already made (used, perhaps), and just reinforce them some with gussets where needed (that's what I did on mine). Aftermarket brackets are almost always made of a thicker base metal than the stock ones, and will ultimately end up stronger because of that. Most of the other things like extended radius arms and stuff are a bit simpler to fab up yourself though.

 

[Twisted4x4]

No it dont weigh no where close to that lol, maybe 70lbs at most with winch. Hey i checked out pics of your BII, that thing is sweet!! Thats pretty much what im after in terms of suspension and height. I want good gorund clearance and wheel travel, but not a very high COG. We have alot of steep hills and stuff around here in KY.

Jon

 

[4x4junkie]

Thanks. I've put quite a bit of work into it, but functionally, everything on it is still pretty simple. It works.

70lbs is nothing on yours (IIRC the stock bumper is around 50lbs). You should be fine