Many people
want to run bigger tires so they can run the tougher trails with not just
rocks, but boulders. Up until recently the only way to get high enough to
clear those big meats was to get custom springs made, which takes a long time
and is often pricey. Well John at BigOffroad decided he wanted big leaf
springs for his xj and his customers did too The BOR springs drop shipped
directly from Alcan spring are heavy duty military wrapped springs that are
built specifically to run an XJ offroad. With plastic gliders between each
leaf and bolt spring clamps make these things setup for flex. John knows that
with the cargo room XJ's have that people like to haul gear with them. Tools,
spare tires, coolers for that cold soda on a hot day. It all adds up and with
most springs they barely provide the advertised ride height with nothing in
the cargo room. John designed his spring sets to give the advertised lift with
350 lbs of gear in the back. Empty they provide almost 1.5" more than
advertised.
The 6"
spring packs provide the 6" easily. Actually they gave over 7"
empty. The ride is not too soft so the road ride is good. There is still PLENTY of flex though.
The
BOR leaf springs
The
Poly bushings
Springs
with the bushings installed
The
installation is similar to any other leaf spring install but we'll tell
you how anyway.
First you'll have
to jack up the rear of the truck and support the frame on jackstands. It
needs to be high enough to let the rear axle hang free. Also it's time
to remove the rear tires. Unbolt the shocks, and then support the rear
axle assembly with a jack. Now all you have to do is unbolt the u-bolts
and lower the axle away from the leaf springs. With the axle loose
unbolt the front leaf spring bolts and the rear bolts at the shackle.
The front bolt may be rusted inside the spring eye or it may break the
nut loose from the weld inside the frame. If it starts to come out but
the stops, then it's probably stuck in the steel sleeve in the bushing.
You'll have to cut the bolt to get it out. If you can't get it loose at
all, and it suddenly breaks you've probably broken the captive nut
inside the frame. The only way to go on from here is 1 of 2 ways. 1.)
You could cut a small hole in the floor above the bolt so that you can
use a wrench to hold the nut. 2.) You can use a hole saw and cut a hole
on the inside of the frame rail so that you can stick a socket through
and hold onto the nut. Either way you're in for some extra work.
Once you've gotten
the old leaf packs out of the way you're halfway there. Now install the
poly bushings that came with the BOR springs make sure you use plenty of
the grease that's supplied with the bushings. Also along with the
springs you'll need to install an axle shim. I found that a 6 or 8
degree shim should do the trick with the 6" leaf packs. When that's
all done you're ready to bolt them in. Install is the reverse of the
removal. Bolt the springs into the front spring pocket and to the rear
shackle. Then raise the axle into place with the jack and bolt on the
u-bolts. Bolt the shocks back on (which may be too short for the larger
springs.)
Bolt the wheels
back on and take the truck off the jackstands and you're ready to go!
like the springs. just curious if they're still available and for how much. thanx.
Rob / Poplar Bluff, MO, UNITED STATES
Posted Apr 23 2008 07:25PM
I love the leaf springs and what you've done to this Jeep Cherokee. I want to do nearly the same thing. Please email me with as much info as possible. I want to find the BOR's and install them! Awesome Jeep!!!
JR / Columbia , SC, UNITED STATES
Posted Oct 18 2008 02:44PM
I think it would be cool if there was a demonstration on the articulation provided by the springs. One test be performed while loaded down, and the other while empty.
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