leveling kit

[crtdep82]

Looking for a leveling kit for my 1989 Comanche base truck anybody have any suggested application?? 

[89 MJ]

If I were looking to level my truck, I would pick up a 1.5-2 inch spring spacer for the front. I ran that on my truck for a while before I swapped to 3 inch lift springs.

[Eagle]

37 minutes ago, crtdep82 said:

Looking for a leveling kit for my 1989 Comanche base truck anybody have any suggested application?? 

 

What's not level?

[89 MJ]

7 minutes ago, Eagle said:

 

What's not level?

I assume he is talking about suspension front to back. That's the new in thing to have your truck sitting level, so when you haul something, it is instantly squatting.

[Smokeyyank]

ACOS. I put on on my MJ to level out the rake. 

[Eagle]

46 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

I assume he is talking about suspension front to back. That's the new in thing to have your truck sitting level, so when you haul something, it is instantly squatting.

 

That's a fair assumption but, before I try to answer, I'd like to understand what the problem (if there is one) really is.

 

Making a pickup sit level when it's empty is not smart. That's why I asked.

[ghetdjc320]

That fad has been around for at least the last decade now. Makes a truck sit more like a car i suppose. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like too much rake either but some rake is not only normal but necessary. Just don’t waste too much money on a style. That being said, there is about a 1.75-2” rake stock. You can raise the front by adding some coil spacers. 

[gogmorgo]

Quickest, cheapest, and easiest is coil spring spacers.  XJ front suspension is identical if your favourite supplier doesn’t list anything for an MJ.

Aim your headlights after any change in ride height.

 

I’m also not keen on levelling a truck just for the sake of eliminating the rake, although we did it on a couple of the law and SAR trucks at work to bring the ride height back up after adding heavy bumpers, winches,

etc.

[ghetdjc320]

26 minutes ago, gogmorgo said:

Quickest, cheapest, and easiest is coil spring spacers.  XJ front suspension is identical if your favourite supplier doesn’t list anything for an MJ.

Aim your headlights after any change in ride height.

 

I’m also not keen on levelling a truck just for the sake of eliminating the rake, although we did it on a couple of the law and SAR trucks at work to bring the ride height back up after adding heavy bumpers, winches,

etc.

 

Yeah same here. after adding my bumper and winch combo I had to add about 3/4-1" spacer to get back to stock rake

[crtdep82]

I am the 3rd owner of my MJ and it just looks like it need a boost in the front, it may just need new shocks and bushing as they could be worn out after all it is 30 years old. It just seems as though it has more rake than it needs. 

[Jesse J]

yeah it definitely has more rake. one way you could figure out how tall of a spacer is get a jack underneath the front and jack it up until you think it looks get. measure its clearence before you jack it up and then after and the difference is how tall a spacer you need

[coheed]

56 minutes ago, crtdep82 said:

I am the 3rd owner of my MJ and it just looks like it need a boost in the front, it may just need new shocks and bushing as they could be worn out after all it is 30 years old. It just seems as though it has more rake than it needs. 

Easy way to see if it's sagged is measure it. How to measure ride hight - MJ Tech: Modification and Repairs - Comanche Club Forums

 

Then go from there.

[crtdep82]

Thanks guys for the tips!

[Pete M]

I would add 1.5" spacers and call it a day.  

 

'tis a good lookin' truck!   looks a bit familiar.  is it in the registry yet?  

[crtdep82]

Yes it was bought this year from a guy in New York and brought to Ohio, was originally sold in Arizona when it was new.

[gogmorgo]

My 2wd 2.5 shortbed sits about the same empty. It’s to be expected from a 3000lb truck that’s rated to carry 1400lbs payload. Personally I like the way it sits, as it means I can load the bed right up without it looking like a dog dropping a $#!&. This is how it sits with ~1100lbs of firewood.

 

Shocks don’t affect ride height unless they’ve got helper springs on them, and you don’t want those up front. I doubt your front springs are that badly sagged, but you’ll gain some lift out of 4x4 springs, more from 4.0 springs at the cost of ride comfort, assuming you’re also 2.5/2wd. 
Whatever you do, always aim your headlights after changes in ride height.

[Pete M]

1 hour ago, crtdep82 said:

Yes it was bought this year from a guy in New York and brought to Ohio, was originally sold in Arizona when it was new.

 

it's cleeeeeean...     did he ever do a build thread about it?

[Eagle]

4 hours ago, Pete M said:

I would add 1.5" spacers and call it a day.  

 

'tis a good lookin' truck!   looks a bit familiar.  is it in the registry yet?  

 

I would add 3/4" spacers and call it a day. That truck looks like it already has a lift, so I wouldn't want to go higher than absolutely necessary.

 

That's a nice looking MJ, too.

[crtdep82]

Yes I think he may have done one and when it was up for sale he had it on messenger as well with a lot of pictures.

[88towmanche]

Mine squats like a dog taking a dump when I hook the boat up - drives me crazy.

 

I did the puck & shackle lift and think that took away some of the factory rake (got more out of the pucks than I did the shackles) 

 

To try and help the squat (am ok with it empty) I bought an air bag assist kit that is supposed to help eliminate the squat under load but not mess with the ride/stance when unloaded.

 

Have not installed helper bag kit yet because sluggy needs an axle swap from 3.07 to 4.10/4.11 before it earns the towmanche moniker - trying to close the deal on the MJ unicorn, a factory D44 in 4.10 - should pick them up this weekend.