New coils? Coil Spacers? Helper springs?

[Eriko5000]

My '89 MJ's front springs are sagging pretty badly.  I'm hoping to upgrade the suspension to level it out as close as I can before putting bigger tires on it, and am trying to figure out the best route to take.  I figure there are a couple of options and wanted some opinions on what might be best..

 

New springs-

I've read where the ZJ V8 springs will give an MJ 1-2" of lift (And there's someone local parting out a ZJ V8 who still has the springs).  Would that put it level with the rear?  Or lift the front where it's slightly higher than the back?  What about going with stock XJ springs to eliminate the sag, and no more?

Coil spacers- 

There's somebody on Craigslist who's selling a set of 1.75" spacers for $15 in my area.  That'd be a dirt cheap way to get almost two inches of lift from the current setup.. But if my springs are sagging, that feels like just putting off an inevitable upgrade anyways?

Helper springs/shocks- 

My dad (Who's car savvy) recommended looking into helper spring shocks to help remove the sag.  I've done some research but haven't found any that are rated to fit an XJ/MJ.  Does anybody know if any that would fit?

 

Am I missing any options that would get the job done??

Thanks

[jdog]

First question, why do you want it level?

Second question, why would you want the front higher?

I'd say if your in there just replace with new springs, there cheap enough and you only have to do it once

[Eriko5000]

7 minutes ago, jdog said:

First question, why do you want it level?

Second question, why would you want the front higher?

I'd say if your in there just replace with new springs, there cheap enough and you only have to do it once

Level would be just for the look, and clearance for a bigger tire (Not putting anything crazy on, just think it'd look better level or close to level).

I don't want the front higher.  I'd either want it level front to back, or want a slight rake with the bed a little higher!

Any recommendations for what springs are best?

Thanks for the response!

[Smokeyyank]

I used ACOS on mine to level the rake. It's also nice to have as an addition to your lift once you get there. You can also use upcountry coils to gain some lift. I'm not a fan of big spacers 1"+ but the smaller ones are fine. 

 

Before

 

After

[Eriko5000]

2 hours ago, Smokeyyank said:

I used ACOS on mine to level the rake. It's also nice to have as an addition to your lift once you get there. You can also use upcountry coils to gain some lift. I'm not a fan of big spacers 1"+ but the smaller ones are fine. 

 

Before

 

After

Is the second picture with the ACOS and additional lift?  Or just with the lift from the ACOS?  It looks super nice!  Looking at the ACOS setup, it looks like you've got to saw/cut off part of the coil bump tower though?  Was that your experience?

[AZJeff]

I am pretty sure that an MJ, when brand new, had a slight rake towards the front.  It was pretty common on trucks in that era.

 

that said, since I don’t haul a lot of heavy stuff in my MJ, I prefer a level ride height, with no rake.   To achieve that, I bought new springs, which were heavy duty (“Up-Country” for an XJ), and once they were installed, I discovered they actually raised the front end TOOmuch.

 

I measured how overly tall the front end was (with the help of a 4 foot carpenters level on the bed rail) from my desired height.   Then I removed the springs and cut off enough of the top coil with a cut-off wheel, and reinstalled the.

 

Voila….I had the ride height/rake I desired, with new springs!

[gogmorgo]

7 hours ago, AZJeff said:

I am pretty sure that an MJ, when brand new, had a slight rake towards the front.  It was pretty common on trucks in that era.

 

It's still pretty common on trucks in the current era. It's so when you add weight to the bed it doesn't point the nose into the sky. You just don't see single cab trucks that often, and the effect is much less drastic on the typical minivan-spec crewcab shortbed that isn't really built with the intention of hauling much weight that often... which is why all the slednecks out there are blinding you going down the highway because they've overloaded their trucks with two sleds on a deck and pointed their headlights up into your windsheild, and it didn't occur to them to aim their headlights down, they just added some cheap LEDs that only make the situation worse.

 

It's your truck, do whatever you think makes it look best. Just make sure your headlights get aimed correctly when you're done adjusting the ride height.

[Smokeyyank]

8 hours ago, Eriko5000 said:

Is the second picture with the ACOS and additional lift?  Or just with the lift from the ACOS?  It looks super nice!  Looking at the ACOS setup, it looks like you've got to saw/cut off part of the coil bump tower though?  Was that your experience?

 

Just the ACOS nothing else. Yeah you cut the bottom bump stop off but nothing that is difficult. I'm not a fan of rake on these trucks, I get it's purpose but this isn't a working truck and it looks ugly IMHO. 

[MiNi Beast]

Honestly, pick up those $15 pucks and install those and enjoy. 

[zomeizter]

52 minutes ago, MiNi Beast said:

Honestly, pick up those $15 pucks and install those and enjoy. 

This.

[Eagle]

On 3/11/2022 at 9:19 AM, Eriko5000 said:

My '89 MJ's front springs are sagging pretty badly.  I'm hoping to upgrade the suspension to level it out as close as I can before putting bigger tires on it, and am trying to figure out the best route to take.  I figure there are a couple of options and wanted some opinions on what might be best..

 

New springs-

I've read where the ZJ V8 springs will give an MJ 1-2" of lift (And there's someone local parting out a ZJ V8 who still has the springs).  Would that put it level with the rear?  Or lift the front where it's slightly higher than the back?  What about going with stock XJ springs to eliminate the sag, and no more?

Coil spacers- 

There's somebody on Craigslist who's selling a set of 1.75" spacers for $15 in my area.  That'd be a dirt cheap way to get almost two inches of lift from the current setup.. But if my springs are sagging, that feels like just putting off an inevitable upgrade anyways?

Helper springs/shocks- 

My dad (Who's car savvy) recommended looking into helper spring shocks to help remove the sag.  I've done some research but haven't found any that are rated to fit an XJ/MJ.  Does anybody know if any that would fit?

 

Am I missing any options that would get the job done??

Thanks

 

From the photo, I don't think your front springs look like they have sagged. Give us a measurement from the center of the hubcap straight up to the underside of the flare lip.

[mjeff87]

The spacers are cheap enough, but keep in mind you have to remove the springs to install them, so.......you're going through the work anyway.  I'd opt for the ZJ springs.  Also, the front bumpstops (most of them anyway) are threaded into the post.  You can spin them out with a pipe wrench (because they've probably never been unscrewed and are corroded into place).

[Eriko5000]

On 3/12/2022 at 12:31 PM, Eagle said:

 

From the photo, I don't think your front springs look like they have sagged. Give is a measurement from the center of the hubcap straight up to the underside of the flare lip.

There might not be any sag.. Pardon any ignorance on my part.  Either way, I'm not a fan of such a significant rake between the front and back height.  It certainly doesn't help that I've got smaller tires (215/70/15s).  I think I'm planning to go with the ZJ springs, and 235/75/15 AT's, then hang on to the stock springs in case I ever want to restore it to stock.

[Eriko5000]

1 hour ago, mjeff87 said:

The spacers are cheap enough, but keep in mind you have to remove the springs to install them, so.......you're going through the work anyway.  I'd opt for the ZJ springs.  Also, the front bumpstops (most of them anyway) are threaded into the post.  You can spin them out with a pipe wrench (because they've probably never been unscrewed and are corroded into place).

Thanks for the response!  I'm planning to go with the ZJ springs.  He's selling them for $60, which is cheap enough and I'll hang on to the stock springs.  Any idea how expensive shop time would cost if I wanted to pay somebody to swap the springs?  Dealing with compressed springs intimidates me a bit, and taking the whole front end to drop the axle enough doesn't sound great either, if I can avoid it.

[mjeff87]

You don't need spring compressors for those sized springs.  It's really not a bad job, but you need a small bottle jack.  Unbolt enough stuff (lower shock mount, TRE, etc.) to get the axle to drop on one side (do one side at a time).  Then insert the jack between the top of the axletube and the framerail and jack the jack up (or down, in this case).  That  will push the axle down and hold it, while you slip the spring out.  Install the new one, un-jack the jack, bolt it all back up and then do the other side.

 

I used to have a pic of that^^^^ but sadly all my pics went bye-bye in the Great Photoshop incident of whatever year they went stupid.  I think Pete might have a pic, though.

[Eriko5000]

1 hour ago, mjeff87 said:

You don't need spring compressors for those sized springs.  It's really not a bad job, but you need a small bottle jack.  Unbolt enough stuff (lower shock mount, TRE, etc.) to get the axle to drop on one side (do one side at a time).  Then insert the jack between the top of the axletube and the framerail and jack the jack up (or down, in this case).  That  will push the axle down and hold it, while you slip the spring out.  Install the new one, un-jack the jack, bolt it all back up and then do the other side.

 

I used to have a pic of that^^^^ but sadly all my pics went bye-bye in the Great Photoshop incident of whatever year they went stupid.  I think Pete might have a pic, though.

That's a strategy I hadn't heard or seen anybody suggest (Putting the jack between the axle and frame), but sounds like an easy approach.  Can you do that without lifting the rest of the front end on jack stands?  Is there any possibility of breaking the axle, using it as the base for the jack to lift the rest of the front end?

[mjeff87]

Jack up one side as high as you can and slip a jackstand on the framerail behind the wheelwell.  You should then have plenty of room to drop that size to swap the coil.  Don't forget to unbolt the coil spring retaining clip.  Your LCA will bind up when it gets as far down as it can go.  Wish I still had that picture......

 

You might not even need the jack.  If you have a buddy around, they can push the axle down for you while you get the spring(s) to slip out.

[AZJeff]

10 hours ago, Eriko5000 said:

That's a strategy I hadn't heard or seen anybody suggest (Putting the jack between the axle and frame), but sounds like an easy approach.  Can you do that without lifting the rest of the front end on jack stands?  Is there any possibility of breaking the axle, using it as the base for the jack to lift the rest of the front end?

You won’t hurt the axle, as long as you apply pressure on the tube.

 

However….your life will be MUCH EASIER I’d you support the whole front of the vehicle on jackstands before you start trying to drop one side of the front axle.  Trust me, I have done this numerous times, and the differing ease of changing springs is amazing!

[Eriko5000]

10 hours ago, AZJeff said:

You won’t hurt the axle, as long as you apply pressure on the tube.

 

However….your life will be MUCH EASIER I’d you support the whole front of the vehicle on jackstands before you start trying to drop one side of the front axle.  Trust me, I have done this numerous times, and the differing ease of changing springs is amazing!

Thanks for the advice!  I'll be sure to lift the front on jack stands before dropping the axle.  Replacing the coils seems like a straightforward enough job but I'm honestly not excited for it.  Oh well, c'est la vie

[MiNi Beast]

Best you bbq and invite your mechanically inclined buddies over and have a fun time together. take pics. 

[Eriko5000]

7 hours ago, MiNi Beast said:

Best you bbq and invite your mechanically inclined buddies over and have a fun time together. take pics. 

Love the suggestion of having a BBQ and getting the job done with some buds over!

[AZJeff]

On 3/15/2022 at 10:28 AM, MiNi Beast said:

Best you bbq and invite your mechanically inclined buddies over and have a fun time together. take pics. 

That is a VERY good idea.  In all my years of doing various front end work on XJ's and Mj's, I will tell you that a second set of hands makes the job MORE than twice as easy.

 

Just keep the beer to a minimum until the job is done.

 

 

[Eriko5000]

On 3/14/2022 at 12:18 PM, mjeff87 said:

You don't need spring compressors for those sized springs.  It's really not a bad job, but you need a small bottle jack.  Unbolt enough stuff (lower shock mount, TRE, etc.) to get the axle to drop on one side (do one side at a time).  Then insert the jack between the top of the axletube and the framerail and jack the jack up (or down, in this case).  That  will push the axle down and hold it, while you slip the spring out.  Install the new one, un-jack the jack, bolt it all back up and then do the other side.

 

I used to have a pic of that^^^^ but sadly all my pics went bye-bye in the Great Photoshop incident of whatever year they went stupid.  I think Pete might have a pic, though.

Alright, I picked up the ZJ Springs today.  In the process of trying to clean them up well.. Here's my new question- I noticed the top rung on the MJ springs are slimmer than the rest of the coil.  These don't have that same taper.  Is that an issue for installation? 

[MiNi Beast]

No issues. Just the rate of spring difference. 

[gogmorgo]

You’re positive those are front ZJ springs, yes? Only reason I’m asking is because my ZJ’s rear springs were straight like that but the fronts have the narrow coil up top.

But yes, as long as they sit in the seat they’ll be fine.