jpnjim Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 For the front, I'd start with some ZJ V8 coils. I'd use the V8's, to get thicker spring to start with. Cutting them down stiffens up the ride further, but as you lose up travel, you'll want the higher spring rate. I've trimmed XJ/ZJ coils down before, cutting off that slight flat section at the bottom hasn't effected me negatively at all, YMMV, but I didn't have any issues with it. You could even start trimming your stock coils, to see what height you like, before taking the knife to the ZJ coils (in case you cut too much). I don't know how much is too much. I'd probably try to figure what the minimum up travel I'd be happy with (depending on use), and set my ride height to allow that. For the rear, try keeping the MJ main leaf, and swap all the lower leafs out for (flatter) XJ leafs. They're shorter, but should still be OK, and they're not up to the same load carrying either, but I'm guessing you're not building it to carry heavy loads. Again, I'd try to trim the bumpstops as much as I could, while keeping hard parts away from each other, and set the height at the minimum up travel I'd be comfortable with. You might end up looking for some thicker, flat leafs to replace 1 or 2 of the XJ leafs with, to keep the ride height down, while firming things up. Overload coils on shocks, or air shocks could be bandaid fixes, but I'd try to dial the pack in for my needs. FWIW, you could build shackles shorter than XJ's, if you wanted to. Would have the side effect of being stiffer than the stockers, and you could use poly/graphite bushings too. I didn't have any stock XJ shackles, so I made these little guys up to drop my XJ at inspection sticker time (compared in pic to unknown lift shackles): Image Not Found Image Not Found I didn't bother to bush the upper mount, since they only go in for a short time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaterguy58 Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 Wow thanks for the input! I'm going to try and refrain from cutting any springs or other major fabrication. Trying to keep it a simple low-budget bolt on project. I will try the V8 ZJ coils first since they will definitely be the most firm. Once I get the front where I like it then I will start on the rear. To start with I will probably do XJ shackles and 2 inch blocks. As the budget allows I might have a custom spring pack built to replace the blocks. Since I'm trying to keep the drop around 3 inches, I should be able to avoid major metal work and modifications. But that is still great information for anyone wanting to go even lower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfpackjeeper Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Wow thanks for the input! I'm going to try and refrain from cutting any springs or other major fabrication. Trying to keep it a simple low-budget bolt on project. I will try the V8 ZJ coils first since they will definitely be the most firm. Once I get the front where I like it then I will start on the rear. To start with I will probably do XJ shackles and 2 inch blocks. As the budget allows I might have a custom spring pack built to replace the blocks. Since I'm trying to keep the drop around 3 inches, I should be able to avoid major metal work and modifications. But that is still great information for anyone wanting to go even lower. just to clarify, you WILL have to cut those V8zj coils. Otherwise you will see about a 1in lift. I was planning on taking about 1.3 turns off of a set of coils I have from a 2000 xj. You would need to take more off the ZJ coils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaterguy58 Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 Then we'll go straight to the Ranger coils. It has been stated in several places that rear stock ZJ coils will drop the front end slightly. I plan to compare both the Ranger and ZJ coils, to see if the theories are correct and how much difference can be measured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 wolfpack is right, V8ZJ's will lift you, unless you cut them. Cutting is easy, just need a cutting wheel on an angle grinder (& safety glasses) I understand if you don't want to do it. I don't have any experience with Ranger coils, so I can't comment on those. As far as the blocks go, packs would be better, but if you're gonna do blocks DO NOT get aluminum blocks (cheap ones that most carry as lift/drop blocks). I had a pair of Summit Racing brand aluminum blocks way back when. Both cracked in half within a couple months. Glad I noticed it, before they broke free from the Jeep. Superlift always had nice cast iron blocks, that's what I replaced the broken Summit's with. Info is 15 years+ old now, so YMMV. Good luck :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaterjeep Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 The rear coils from a ZJ WILL lower the front of a Comanche about 2.5". Trust me, I done it already. It rides a bit stiffer, but I love the ride it has now; some might say it's a bit too stiff, but it works great for my plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lower jeep Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 the winch maker use to make a lowering kit for the comanches years ago, i found one at a little truck shop in canada like 4 or 5 years ago gave me a drop 2" drop all the way around and handled great look up my project "my lowered jeep", i used a 4" steel block and xj shacklesto give me a nice level look with the bump stops removed in the rear pm me if your interested for the front springs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 If you make a custom spring pack using a Comanche main leaf and Cherokee leafs for the rest of the pack it will drop you some also as the Cherokee springs are flatter. Don't know how much, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giffer Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 so what did everyone figure out?? I'm looking to do a 3/4 on the MJ and this post is perfect. but since i won't be starting for a couple of weeks i would like to know how everyone made out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 The easiest way to lower a comanche is to let the air out of the tires... :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 The easiest way to lower a comanche is to let the air out of the tires... :yes: Hey thats what I said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 The easiest way to lower a comanche is to let the air out of the tires... :yes: Hey thats what I said. Hey thats what I said. :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeep_freek88 Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 yeah i figured removing a leaf would probably give the least desirable results. And its ok if the ride quality suffers a little bit, the DD is a Cadillac! :yes: Well mine rides like a caddy :brows: :chillin: don't drop it!!!!!!! Taller is better...........But if you must you could always put some lawn mower tires in it..........drop it by a foot maybe :idea: :nuts: :popcorn: Idk :rotf: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mangler0075 Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 So what ever came of this ? Bump for a really old thread.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yxmj Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Not one for lowering....but You can lose some hight and get a tighter more responsive rear by forgetting about shackles and going with sliders... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masimmons25 Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I remember seeing a youtube video of a guys street comanche where in order to keep the front suspension geometry like stock he took a 2wd beam cut the ends off it and welded them on top of the center of another 2wd beam, so it would lower it the thickness of the tubes and the control arms should keep stock angles. I think it would still need shorter springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 If you are not already on NAXJA, look for the thread titled "George" In the NorthWest Chapter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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