Suspension Updates (Upgrades?)

[bigmistake]

My new-to-me MJ needs some suspension love.  The front in the back will rock back and forth forever if you bounce them, and I wouldn't be surprised if it has all original shocks with the 200k miles on it.

 

With that in mind, I'm looking to replace the shocks and do my first lift on the truck.  I've been going through the forum and looking at my options...  My future plans for the vehicle (a 91 2.5l, 2wd) are to convert it to 4wd so I can use it for mild offroading (sand, mud, rough trails, camping, etc... likely no rock crawling in the future).  I'm going to drive it til the engine quits, then possibly upgrade - but I'm hoping that is a way off.  I'd like to run 31s, which I know I can do on stock suspension.

 

Kryptronic suggested a 0-2" lift in my build thread.  Given that most of my time will be driving around town/highway, hauling stuff for my house, and hauling outdoor gear, I think staying at 3" or under would be a good call for my purposes.

 

Current thoughts:

JK Rubicon shocks (I recently went through the write-up, and it looks like a great budget option)

Replace front springs with OME 2930s to gain up to 2" of lift

 

I'm kind of lost on the rear.  I looked at Hell Creek AALs, but it looks like those are no longer available.  I could go with a drop shackle, but that doesn't seem like the best idea...  Should I look at picking up some GS Leaf Springs to replace what I've got (which I'm sure are original packs)?  Is there a better option I should be considering? 

 

I'm open to any and all thoughts on a path forward (including buying a complete kit from somewhere, or piecing together random stuff from a JY).  This is the first vehicle I will be doing all of the work on, so I'm looking forward to the learning process... and there is a lot to learn.

 

Thanks for any help!

[Pete M]

most MJs have a bit of rack from back to front so the shackle lift works well to give a balanced look to a 2" front lift.   

 

what is the state of your current leafs?  all rusty and sagging or clean looking and factory height?

[Eagle]

Speaking from personal experience, you can do a LOT of mild -- and even moderate -- wheeling with no lift, and if most of your driving will be on pavement, the less lift the better. Especially with gas prices escalating daily.

 

IMHO, 31s are too big to even consider under a 2.5L. The 2.5L is a good engine, but it's not a powerhouse, and 31-inch tires are really going to bog it down. You have a 5-speed? Forget about using 5th gear. Put 31s under your truck and you'll only be able to use 5th on the highway, downhill, with a tailwind.

[bigmistake]

Pete - here are some pictures of the leaf springs:

 

 

 

 

 

I measured from the center of the wheel to the flare and it was about 19.5" in the rear, and 18.25" in the front.

 

 

Eagle - That's good to know on the wheels.  I was reading mnkyboy's thread for about the tenth time and noticed he was riding around with 33s with stock gearing (for him it was 3.55, I think?) which made me think I would be okay with 31s.