Suspension Basics

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J

Johndtuttle3

Loves Light Bars
Joined
Dec 31, 2024
Messages
4
Location
Redwood City
Newbie here so take it easy on me boys and girls.

When do you modify your vehicle and remove the leaf springs and go with a more advanced suspension? ie weld new attachment points on the frame for the bars that suspend the axle? (newbie doesn't know what they are called).

I presume there are limitations to the amount of articulation/travel you can have with leaf springs and if you want/need more the leafs have to go.

What is the max amount of travel you can get with leaf springs? How much (in very general terms) do you gain from losing them?

I know this is a bit vague, but playing with the idea of taking a stock XJ etc and fabricating new suspension for a dirt box crawler build.


Thanks in advance.
 
Suggest against this with that particular rig because the rig doesn’t have a frame and you’ll have to make a trans cradle that doubles as rear suspension mounts. I’ve owned about 6 xjs and they’ll flex plenty but about the time you get them to work they tear themselves apart
 
Truth, nothing worse than starting with a unibucket and creating a bigger headache.

A proper set of leaf packs can net 14" of shock travel, just need lots of THIN leaves and a good shackle angle.
 
Cracksrubi said:
Suggest against this with that particular rig because the rig doesn’t have a frame and you’ll have to make a trans cradle that doubles as rear suspension mounts. I’ve owned about 6 xjs and they’ll flex plenty but about the time you get them to work they tear themselves apart
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Have you ever tried stiffing the unibody with aftermarket kits?
 
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