Jeep dealership recommended against AAL's...???

[kingmatt16]

I want to stop the sag, but maintain a good ride. I do plan on off-roading once in a while, but mostly I want a plush on raod ride. The dealership advised me that any add a leaf kits will make the ride stiff. Is this true? Are there softer ones than others? They told me that in the past, they have used helper shocks with springs around the shock that help sag, without altering the leafs. I am considering either Rancho 5000 or 9000 shocks or the new Edelbrock IAS shcoks, as well. What is your professional take??? I am a new owner of a 1989 Grand Wagoneer. THANKS@!!

[NYC]

AALs are not the best route - just the cheapest. But that doesn't mean that they're bad. I haven't used them on a GW, but I did have them - front and rear, on a CJ-5. I loved them. The ride was really soft/cushy. The Jeep flexed extremely well. GWs are bigger and heavier... this should make the AALs even LESS noticiable (stiff, etc.) I'm sure some guys with AALs will weigh in on this.

Using new springs is obviously the way to go. But expect to pay $500 for springs and shocks by the time your done. Rough Country is probably the best compromise between cost and quality. I put RC springs (front and rear) in my '88. These are 3" springs (netted 5.5" because of 2.5" of sag!). I love the result - great on the road, great off-road.

[Jim Barbero]

Welcome

Yes AAL's will make the ride a little harsher, but if your springs are as broken down as mine were it is probably back to about stock smile.gif

I would reccomend against just using the shocks without doing something about the springs though. Shocks and their mounts were not designed to hold up to the weight of a vehicle, only to dampen the bounce (what shocks are really for)

If you want to do it right, without any kind of lifting, you can have the springs replaced or re-arched.

Ahain, welcome to the list

[Michael]

AAL's have been pretty harsh ride on my Wag. It does not even come close to the stock ride. On the highway it rides great. But the trails and the rough roads it knocks you around. I gained 4.5" in the rear...Because of a 2.5" sag in the rear and 1.5-2.0" in the front. Overall it was a quick fix to stuff somemore meat under her. But I will be going to a 4-6" rustys lift by may hopefully. The aal's on my rig do not have much flex at all. They are stiff. I cannot even push down on the rear of my rig. It will not move. My .02.... ;)

[Ralph]

I don't have experience with AAL's, since I managed to score a set of good leaf springs from another IFSJA member. They were from a '79 Wag and have a really nice ride. I paid $100 for them plus shipping cost of $11 per spring.

As for the shocks, I've had the opportunity to drive a number of shock brands in side-by-side comparisons with my FSJ buddies. And I can say that the Edelbrock IAS shocks are another world in ride comfort AND stability.

[kreb]

my ride is pretty rough with AAL's. espo.com sells stock springs at a decent price. personally if i had to do it over again i would have saved my money for a 4" full spring lift. but the AAL's gave me the clearance i need, and what kind of ride should i have expected on stock springs with 160,000 on them.

benjamin

[Kris]

I dont mind mine...
My wag had sagged pretty bad with the lean towards the drivers side. I went with the Rancho full length up front, and since Rancho did'nt list a full length for the rear I went with the Superlift full length.
I took apart the packs one axle at a time and measured the arch of each leaf and swapped a couple from one side to the other. I got new "plastic pads" for each leaf from ESPO (I think 28 in all).
I gained 2.5" in back and 2" in front and leveled the "side sag". I figure I'm a little over stock height now.
The ride was not harsh by any means but was "pleasanty firmer". And now that I'm more than an inch off the stops some bumps have actually dissapeared.
If I were to go with a spring replacment, I'd do a 4" lift. If you are going to go through the trouble of completely removing the packs, then you might as well do the lift. ;)
kris.

[River Beast]

If I were to go with AAL's.. I would go with Rancho 2.5" full length AAL's. A few of my friends have these with stock springs and I think they ride jsut fine and they do get a good amount of tweakin goin' on... :D