Delima, Help

[friscokidd]

Ok, i have a 90 xj that i use to wheel and not afraid to beat up if need be. Its a 4.5" short arm on 33's, geared, locked and rolling on alloys F&R. I just got 6.5" set up with a long arm kit and a sye that i have yet to install. My wife has a zj with 4.5" RE LA on 33's that we call her mall crawler.

here is my delima...

When we go wheeling, the ride in the xj is, how you say, not that comfortable. So my wife/kido/ even the dogs dont really like it. And its kinda getting to the point where im not TOOO found of it either. We have taken the ZJ wheeling a few times, and MAN, what a nice wheelin rig. Every one is comfy and it has the ability to acomodate every one in the family. From comfort, to room, to towing. Wife loves it, kido likes it, and the dogs even like it more. The only problem with the ZJ, is that it is my wifes D.D. and doesnt really have any body damage on it either, so i dont really want to take it on trails that have the high "will most likely break something or will need bondo / paint work" rating. Where my XJ is strickly a "drive to trail, beat the crap out of if needed, and hope to drive home" Needless to say, i have only broken 1 u-joint on my xj and put a tiny scratch on it. So that meens im just lucky or i wheel like a 3 year old girl:eye: .

We have been on the fence about selling my XJ and building the ZJ, but for some reason, im not 100% sure of why we should or shouldnt? I have spent a decent amount of money on the XJ and will definetly take a hit if we sold it, but thats how the game works. But would it be worth it to make the ZJ a wheeler / DD for now? Part of me says yes, and part says no. Your thoughts???

TIA ... senor noobie:wave:

 

[x2elite]

Re: delima help

Don't do it. I think you would regret it. Especially taking a hit on what you have invested in the XJ, plus if the ZJ is your wife's DD how will she feel if it starts get rashed up from the trails? I would just keep the XJ, and fine tune it some more to try to get what you want out of it. I think its just a phase you are going through, and most likely will realize how happy you are that you didn't sell the XJ.

 

[x2elite]

Re: delima help

I know I don't know you, but this is what I have gone through a couple times, and ultimately I am very glad I kept my XJ.

 

[ColoradoJeepXJ]

Re: delima help

Keep the XJ and Install the long arm lift. That should soften the ride.

 

[friscokidd]

Re: delima help

im thinking thats the route i will go. Its not really a bumpy ride, its more like a jerky ride on the trails. But then again, that just might be MY driving style??? haha Thanks for the info

 

[DutchVDub]

Re: delima help

The Long Arms will hel the ride a bit up front, the main thing I notice with my XJ though is its the rear that makes for bumpy trail rides. With my 4.5" RC lift the front tire will roll up and over a rock nice and smooth, but when that rear tire hits it the whole Jeep jars and jerks. Thats the inherent problem with a leafspring. You can help fix this by getting a higher quality leaf spring, also try and keep the arch of the spring down. Using longer shackles to get the extra bit of lift helps because the longer shackle allows for more movement of the spring. I added 1.5" shackles to my 4.5" RC spring packs and it made a big difference on the trail. Another thing to keep in mind is airing those tires down. Bring the tire pressure down to about 15-20psi and that'll help smooth out those bumps.

I myself have gone back and forth on the idea of trading my XJ out for an early ZJ. The V8 gets the same mileage as the 4.0 and has more power, plus its coils all around. Still, I'm sticking with the XJ as its a cheaper platform to start with and the lift kits are cheaper because of those leaf springs.

I've heard Rusty's leaf springs are bit softer and flexier, and I do remember my 99 XJ that I'd installed a Rusty's 4.5" lift on did ride a bit smoother than my 92 with the Rough Country 4.5" lift. I myself will probably be ordering a set of leaf springs from BOR. They are made by Alcan and should be a smoother riding and overall better quality spring. Plus they;re made here in CO and not Canada like my RC spring packs. I'll also be using TnT's U-bolt eliminators once I go to a long arm so I can get the back end even higher while keeping a less aggressively curved spring pack. They make them for up to 1.5" of lift.