To Lift Or Not To Lift...

[ProTouring442]

OK, I've found my Wide Track (J-Series actually) axles, and I'll be picking them up next week (I was supposed to pick them up today, be I was preempted by the weather. I'm going in for sinus surgery tomorrow, so I cannot go this weekend...). In any case, as the weather should be getting a bit warmer soon, that means I will be back on my project... I hope...

It IS going to get warmer soon, right?

To the point, I have the J-series axles, and I want to run Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S tires. I am thinking of running LT315/75R16 which have a height of 33.1" according to TireRack.com

I like the look of this Cherokee:

1976 Cherokee WT
No lift
33x12.5 tires

And this one:

I will be converting to "Wide Track" fenders and quarters. Basically, I'll have a Wide Track Wagoneer. To get the above look/utility, and I won't be doing any heavy off roading, just the occasional dirt road, farmer's field, sort of thing, so no need for radical flexing and all that, should I go with the stock replacement springs, or the 2" lift?

As usual, thoughts, suggestions, and general directions as to where I should pick up my hand basket, and which direction I need to crank the handle for the trip "down" are greatly appreciated!

[blazer3664]

Front axle out of a J-truck will be set up for SOA. Thats 6-7" of lift right there unless you cut the pads and move them back under the axle.

Also, not 100% sure, I am thinking the J-truck axles are actually just a bit wider yet than the normal "wide track" Wag/Chero axles. Wanting to say 3".

Is your Wag 2 door or 4 door?

Not much help, but its a start.

Jim

[fulsizjeep]

74-88 Jtrucks were SUA on the front just like the Cherks and Waggys.

[OutrageGIS]

I believe the cherokees came with 2" more lift than same year wagoneers from the factory, they run 31" and some 32" tires with no problem. If you want to fit 33" under your wag I would think you would want 4" all around of spring lift. Others may have more experience with this...

[addicted]

The rear axle is wider on the J-trucks. It should just fit if you open the wheel wells up to the same specs as a W/T Cherokee. You will need to relocate the spring perches on the rear axle as well. Not a bolt in deal. The J-trucks have a wider rear frame for better stability when loaded.

[ProTouring442]

Yes, I realize I will need to weld the spring perches in the correct places.

My Wagoneer is a 4-door (1989), but will be a Wide Track when I get done, including all the Wide Track flares.

But it is looking like a Cherokee sits higher from the factory (anyone know this to be true?), so then the 2" is probably the way to go. 4" seems like a lot.

Maybe the 3" Rough Country? I know it tends to be a bit stiffer, but I was thinking I could disassemble the spring packs and put Teflon between the leaves.

Hmm....

[Ristow]

your rear axle will be wider than the cherokee W/T axle. look at pics of my cherokee with the J20 axles. the rear wheels are at the edge of the flares.

you'll want to lift it,or it's going to look just like a stock,squatty W/T cherokee.


there is no quick easy way to make rough lift spring ride nice. if you want plush you WILL pay for it. (softride/skyjacker).

[addicted]

2" to clear 33's and it will look just right after the settling that will occur.

[Tinkerjeep]

The front body mount on a 1970s Wag frame are ON the top of the front frame rail. 1970s J-trucks have a raised pedestal there. This alone allows for a stock 1" body lift. I don't know if later Jeeps from the 80s changed this, check yours. If the front body-mount rubber puck sits directly on the top of the frame-rail...you will need more body lift. Let me check my 1981 Cherk WT...be back in a bit....

(5 minutes later) yep. same as 1970s Wagoneer.

[ProTouring442]

your rear axle will be wider than the cherokee W/T axle. look at pics of my cherokee with the J20 axles. the rear wheels are at the edge of the flares.

you'll want to lift it,or it's going to look just like a stock,squatty W/T cherokee.


there is no quick easy way to make rough lift spring ride nice. if you want plush you WILL pay for it. (softride/skyjacker).

I understand what you mean concerning cost. Frankly, it isn't cost that makes me consider modifying the Rough Country springs, it's that they are a stiffer spring, and thus should offer better on street handling. Installing Teflon between the springs will dramatically change the harshness of the spring however!

Since this is a daily driver, I want reasonable handling, and reasonable off road capabilities, a compromise I know, but one that I am willing to make to have a good, all-around vehicle which will be stable at 80mph, and fairly capable in snow or getting across a field or old dirt road where the creeks run across the road rather than the other way round.

This is the sort of look I am going for, maybe a touch higher. I say "look," but what I really mean is height. If I need to widen the Cherokee W/T flares to accomplish this, I have no problem in doing so.

Vehicle: My old 1979 WT Cherokee
Tire Size and Make: 33/12.50/15 BFG MTs
Rim Size and Make: 15x10 Pro Comp Alloy Rims
How Much Lift: none
What Type of Lift: none
Did you had to trim your Wheel Openings: No
Any Rub: A little at full turn

Ristow, do you have a link to a pic of your Cherokee? I cannot seem to find it on here.

[Ristow]

I understand what you mean concerning cost. Frankly, it isn't cost that makes me consider modifying the Rough Country springs, it's that they are a stiffer spring, and thus should offer better on street handling. Installing Teflon between the springs will dramatically change the harshness of the spring however!

i disagree. a buckboard ride is worse. rather than soak up the bump,they react to it,throwing the car,and the occupants around.

tune the suspension with tighter shocks,but spring it to manage the road.

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showpost.php?p=1518794&postcount=34

[fulsizjeep]

I believe the cherokees came with 2" more lift than same year wagoneers from the factory, they run 31" and some 32" tires with no problem. If you want to fit 33" under your wag I would think you would want 4" all around of spring lift. Others may have more experience with this...

The Wide Track vehicles fit 31s on 15x8 wheels because the body has the WT fenders, not because of more lift. There is no more lift on a Cherokee than a Wagoneer from the factory.

If you want 33x12.5x15 to clear on a narrow track, you need at least 6" lift and even then there will probably be minor trimming. The fender wells are not nearly as large as the Wide Tracks. I have run 33s for a long time on a NT w/4" lift but a lot of the fenders had to be trimmed to fit without rubbing the body skin.

[ProTouring442]

i disagree. a buckboard ride is worse. rather than soak up the bump,they react to it,throwing the car,and the occupants around.

tune the suspension with tighter shocks,but spring it to manage the road.

We are close to agreement...

There are tow issues with leaf springs, the initial crash if getting the spring to move, and the actual stiffness of the spring.

The initial crash is due to having to overcome the friction of the spring-pack itself, while the stiffness is the actual spring rate.

The Rough Country seems to rely on a higher rate to provide lift, while the softer options seem to rely on a larger arch and a softer rate. For handling, I want a stiffer rate (the old adage that any suspension will work as long as you don't let is has some merit), but this will restrict its ability to flex.

The softer options will allow for better flex, but at the cost of hauling capacity (not that I plan on hauling the world), and handling (roll stiffness).

By putting the liners between the springs, especially if you take the time to smoothen the spring surfaces, you eliminate the stiction issue that causes the "crash."

So far, this is the direction I am leaning... with the knowledge I may be tossing the money to the wind! But if all my research is correct, it should work well.

[Ristow]

i have rough country springs on my black j20. it has a plow on it. when i lift the plow,the springs hardly give. they are STIFF.

[WHSII]

Hello Bill,

Some of the J10's came with 31" tires stock. As far as I have seen, the springs from a Cherokee and a J10 are the same. AMC did not do too much specialization work to these rigs. They were just placed different as to the width.

I do not know that the 33" tires will rub or not, but I would guess they would be fine if not flexing greatly. I am thinking of interior access. You seem to be, as me crossing the line to "golden years" I am 6"4" and my J10 with 31's is a perfect height. Just a point to consider.