What would you XJ guys do?

[Black Betty]

So here is the scoop, I have our mall crawler wk, my YJ, and my 99 XJ which my dad drives back and forth from Ft Mac every two weeks.

This will be a question about the XJ.

The suspension is shot, mainly the rear leafs, shocks and all bushings in the front.  The 235/75/15 BFG AT's its been sporting for the last 4-5 years still have tread to them, but have worn down in a strange feathering pattern, with high spots on the inside lugs.

Again, I know it needs shocks, bushings and an alignment.

I picked up all the control arm bushings, and the lower track bar bushings today.  I also picked up a new to me set of ravine rims wrapped in geo lander snow tires today to swap out those old bfg's.

My question is this, it desperately needs new rear leafs, and those are $240/ leaf, plus bushings, plus u-bolts etc.  throw some shocks at it and I am looking at a $900-$1000 repair.  I got to thinking, maybe doing a 2.5"/3" lift would be a more cost effective, as it should work out cheaper in the long run.  Plus, I would think I could get a few more bucks out of it if I ever sold it.

Now the jeep at this time will not see any trail.  It's just a vehicle that has to brave hwy 63 and the oil sands "roads". 

What would you XJ guys do in my boat?  Aside from drink all my beer and drop my favorite fishing rod overboard?

Next question, im sure something will require replacing in the draglink/tierod assembly, but was surprised at the cost of tierods at the parts store.  $120 for just the drag link.  I guess you cannot just replace the tapered joints eh?

[hps4evr]

I would leave the Xj as close to stock as possible. Probably your best chance at  decent fuel mileage. No modifications to suspension and steering means no handling issues. Maintenance and up-keep will keep it going for years to come. How sagged are the rear springs?

[Black Betty]

They are shaped like a "s" 

[hps4evr]

They are shaped like a "s" 

Maybe Dave or I can find a pair of leaf packs for a decent price for you.
Which rear end does it have?

[Black Betty]

8.25, it needs shocks too, all new bushings (got those).  May need tie rod ends, definitely needs an alignment.

Do you guys balance tires too? 

[bRIBEGuy]

The Old Man Emu springs and shocks might be a good option for you as well.

When I started my XJ build, the springs and shocks were also shot.  I was going for more of a daily driver/utility set-up, and anititally planed on using OEM stuff.  After much reading, I found the Old Man Emu parts, and they were VERY well rated.  Most if it is low-lift (1.5"-3"), and has options for spring rates.  I picked up all my bits thru Stan at Northridge 4x4, and it ended up being cheaper than using OEM bits.  I've been running the HD springs for quite a number of years now, along with OME shocks, and steering stabilizer, and have been quite happy.  Being in Langdon, my Jeep sees a lot of paved mileage compared to dirt, and the set-up is fantastic.  As a bonus, id does well off-pavement also.

Just my 2 cents.

[Black Betty]

I would love an OME lift for it, I've heard nothing but good things about them.  They are pricey though.  Eric can BA get OME?

I would prefer a lift, I think XJ's should have come from the factory 3" higher and with 31's, but that's just my $0.02.

Looks like us langdon folks will have to start our own jeep club soon.

[Immortal]

Looks like us langdon folks will have to start our own jeep club soon.

We already did. You didn't get the invite?

[Black Betty]

We already did. You didn't get the invite?

It must've been forwarded to that other place I was staying at in langdon, either that or I'm over the height requirement.

[SwampSinger]

I have a set of brand new stock leaf spring if you are interested. It was going to go on a project that I do not own anymore. They have never been installed.

PM me if that's something you might want... They are just taking valuable space in my garage.

I'll give you a good deal.

Cheers,
Dom

[JackstandJohnny]

sell it and buy a Civic

what i would do.... sell jeep and buy truck.  thats what i did haha.

if it were me.........................

buy those springs off Dom. and then buy a 3" zone lift, maybe IRO whatever. they come with rear adda  leafs so it might sit tall at first. then i'd run their new control arms up front as you need bushings anyways.  order the track bar with it up front.
then the only bushing you have to press out are the stock uppers. and i might even have a set for you with decent bushings and of course it comes with new shocks.   then run a good 31" tire and call it good. 

no way you're gonna get out of this cheap though. you gonna be spending some dolla dolla billz at some point. might as well make the jeep cooler!

[Black Betty]

sell it and buy a Civic

what i would do.... sell jeep and buy truck.  thats what i did haha.

if it were me.........................

buy those springs off Dom. and then buy a 3" zone lift, maybe IRO whatever. they come with rear adda  leafs so it might sit tall at first. then i'd run their new control arms up front as you need bushings anyways.  order the track bar with it up front.
then the only bushing you have to press out are the stock uppers. and i might even have a set for you with decent bushings and of course it comes with new shocks.   then run a good 31" tire and call it good. 

no way you're gonna get out of this cheap though. you gonna be spending some dolla dolla billz at some point. might as well make the jeep cooler!

Civic?  Hell no!  Good car, but no.

I guess I should've rephrased it to say "for that price I can buy a lift"

I don't mind spending the money, after all, it's my dad, he bought me many a cheap cars when I was younger.

Another thought too now, if dad ever decides to retire back to ontario, my wife can wheel the XJ.

[TL-Iguana]

I agree with the above few posts. DOM wont screw you on price, bring bacon and he might even give you a better deal. As for the front end, you can head to a wrecker and IIRC you can upgrade XJ steering components to some ZJ parts but I never bothered on mine. I bought a junk Rugged Ridge kit which i dont recommend to anyone. I am pretty sure you can replace the tie rod ends for around $30 each side if you look around, but prices may have gone up over the years... As for mileage, what is that? Keep it stock with those springs from DOM and down the road if you really want to lift it you can always ask RAF to make up some Polish wooden lift blocks, (He and I saw a nice 8" XJ lift at princess auto made with treated 4x4's) or perhaps our XJs may have lost so much value by theb you might even be able to  pick up a pre-lifted red one for an 8 pack of Kokanee!

[Dingleberry]

You can indeed upgrade the tie rod to a large one from a ZJ with a V8.

As for what the parts store told you, I'm not sure where they got that price from, almost sounds like they quoted you for a whole new tie-rod? The way the steering is set up on these Jeeps, the tie rod and drag link are just hollow tubes with threads at each end, you only need replace the joints on either end for about $20-30 a piece (this is not the same, for instance, as my Dodge full-size truck with a D44 front, as only one end of the tie-rod has a threaded end for joint replacement, the other side the joint and tube are all one piece).

[Bnine]

You can indeed upgrade the tie rod to a large one from a ZJ with a V8.

As for what the parts store told you, I'm not sure where they got that price from, almost sounds like they quoted you for a whole new tie-rod? The way the steering is set up on these Jeeps, the tie rod and drag link are just hollow tubes with threads at each end, you only need replace the joints on either end for about $20-30 a piece (this is not the same, for instance, as my Dodge full-size truck with a D44 front, as only one end of the tie-rod has a threaded end for joint replacement, the other side the joint and tube are all one piece).

The tie rod and draglinks are not all hollow tubes with threads. The draglink is solid stock with an integrated joint on one end, and machined male threads on the other end where the adjuster attaches.

And the ZJ "upgrade" is beyond pointless in this application and would simply be a waste of money. It really isnt recommended unless it free. You can accomplish the same thing with 50 cents worth of angle iron and a welder.