ghetdjc320 Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 Hey all, wanted to get your feedback on my options. Running 33’s and trimmed fenders with Napier flares. Have a rubicon express coil setup up front that is giving me about 3.5” of lift. The front sits just right but the back is SOA with stock springs and is at least 2” too high. Because of my location and logistics, my only feasible options are: 1. Run explorer leafs (let me know the year and model to get) 2. Run an MJ main and explorer bastard back 3. Run an MJ main and XJ springs. Don’t have any parts yards here I can get parts from so anything I get will come from rock auto and ship straight to me. I don’t mind a slight rake but would prefer to keep things level. About 500lbs is the most I ever have in the bed and it’s not that often. Let me know which option you’d recommend. Would like to net maybe 4” total lift out back. Pic for reference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 It's all going to be hit or miss because we're dealing with old used springs, but I would try XJ packs with the eyes cut off and then placed under the MJ main. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 17, 2020 Author Share Posted October 17, 2020 1 minute ago, Pete M said: It's all going to be hit or miss because we're dealing with old used springs, but I would try XJ packs with the eyes cut off and then placed under the MJ main. Thanks Pete! Just to clarify, I will be buying a new set of springs for either an xj or exploder depending on your recommendations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 On my 92 I got 2"-2.5" of drop in the rear by swapping the middle two springs with the middle two of a used XJ pack. So it's MJ main, XJ second, XJ third, MJ overload. With a new XJ pack I'd guess you'd be right around 2" of drop to start with. Just know that you will severely limit your carrying capacity as the XJ springs are not nearly as strong as the MJs. You could still haul more than 500lbs but it will squat a lot more than it does with stock MJ springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 13 minutes ago, Dzimm said: On my 92 I got 2"-2.5" of drop in the rear by swapping the middle two springs with the middle two of a used XJ pack. So it's MJ main, XJ second, XJ third, MJ overload. With a new XJ pack I'd guess you'd be right around 2" of drop to start with. Just know that you will severely limit your carrying capacity as the XJ springs are not nearly as strong as the MJs. You could still haul more than 500lbs but it will squat a lot more than it does with stock MJ springs. how far is it from the tip of the #2 XJ leaf and the MJ main's rear bushing? i.e. how much unsupported length is there? I've been using a main leaf with the ends removed after noticing how much the main leaf arches at the tip of the #2 leaf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbwarhorse Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 I've kinda got the same thing going on.... ya do all the ciphering in the world.... I even took off my shoes cause some of those numbers got kinda big ....I started with 4.5" & a SOA with new "stock" springs..... jumped up to 6" lift in front to try & level it out. I think the spring manufacturer goobered sumthin up in my case. Think I'm gonna end up at a spring shop cause I'm still to high in the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Pete M said: how far is it from the tip of the #2 XJ leaf and the MJ main's rear bushing? i.e. how much unsupported length is there? I've been using a main leaf with the ends removed after noticing how much the main leaf arches at the tip of the #2 leaf. I'll have to look. I don't think it's very far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 17, 2020 Author Share Posted October 17, 2020 Thanks for the feedback. What about swapping in the whole explorer pack. I could redrill the centering hole back 1/2” if needed. They are specd at 6.5” free arch and 1100lb capacity with is pretty similar load to the MJ 4 leaf pack. The XJ is specd at 745lb load with 6.375 free arch. As I mentioned before, I can grab either set from rock auto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 I swapped an Explorer pack into my 90 once. I lost maybe an inch of height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 18, 2020 Author Share Posted October 18, 2020 7 hours ago, Dzimm said: On my 92 I got 2"-2.5" of drop in the rear by swapping the middle two springs with the middle two of a used XJ pack. So it's MJ main, XJ second, XJ third, MJ overload. With a new XJ pack I'd guess you'd be right around 2" of drop to start with. Just know that you will severely limit your carrying capacity as the XJ springs are not nearly as strong as the MJs. You could still haul more than 500lbs but it will squat a lot more than it does with stock MJ springs. Were you soa when you did that swap? If so, what’s your rocker heigh just in front of the rear whee to the ground? Or whatever other non-flare reference point you want to use. I’ll check mine for comparison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 1 minute ago, ghetdjc320 said: Were you soa when you did that swap? If so, what’s your rocker heigh just in front of the rear whee to the ground? Or whatever other non-flare reference point you want to use. I’ll check mine for comparison Sorry referencing mine won't help you . I am building a street truck so I lowered it with small tire. It's SUA but the spring change will net the same amount of change weather it's over or under. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 18, 2020 Author Share Posted October 18, 2020 18 minutes ago, Dzimm said: Sorry referencing mine won't help you . I am building a street truck so I lowered it with small tire. It's SUA but the spring change will net the same amount of change weather it's over or under. No worries. Just trying to see if 2” would be enough. Granted, I could just run the whole XJ pack under the MJ main but would like the MJ overload Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEmptyEveryPocket Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 I remember an old post (by Jeep Driver maybe?) referencing a 2014 (<-- guessing) Nissan Frontier. When I went and looked up some specs the Nissan leaf packs give less lift. Don't quote me, but it might be worth looking into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 18, 2020 Share Posted October 18, 2020 1 hour ago, ghetdjc320 said: No worries. Just trying to see if 2” would be enough. Granted, I could just run the whole XJ pack under the MJ main but would like the MJ overload The XJ pack will have an overload too. but if the MJ one is beefier, just swap it out with the MJ one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted October 20, 2020 Author Share Posted October 20, 2020 Good info! Was going to grab a set of used xj leafs but the guy wanted minimum $200 for rusty old springs from a 96. I have the 4 leaf pack. I don’t have a spare and rarely carry any significant weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now