I'm lifting an XJ for a friend of mine and just have a question about the rear end. Most of the lifts (the cheaper ones) seem to be using add-a-leafs. I know that add-a-leafs are not the best option, but in this case I think that it is the route we are going to go. My question is this: do the add-a-leafs need to be special lift add-a-leafs to give the advertised 2" of lift, or will any leaf of the right lenght and width do the same thing? I have access to various spring packs that I could tear apart and use if they would work (YJ, CJ and XJ).
XJ add-a-leafs
- Thread starter jeff788
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I have the skyjacker 2" springs. After a while they sagged and where about the same height as the stock springs. So I put a long AAL from skyjacker which is the same thickness as a regular leaf out of a spring pack. I actually like the ride better now, but they are still breaking in so I don’t get much flex out of them when wheeling.
If you get a short AAL it will be twice the thickness as a leaf out a of a leaf pack. the ride is going to be pretty stiff because they have a lot of arch to them, and with the AAL being so thick and short it takes a lot of weight to get them give little.
I have a friend had put the long AAL in his stock leaf pack and although the ride was stiffer it wasn’t really that bad.
I guess what I am trying to say in a nutshell is to get the Long AAL if you end up going that route.
If you get a short AAL it will be twice the thickness as a leaf out a of a leaf pack. the ride is going to be pretty stiff because they have a lot of arch to them, and with the AAL being so thick and short it takes a lot of weight to get them give little.
I have a friend had put the long AAL in his stock leaf pack and although the ride was stiffer it wasn’t really that bad.
I guess what I am trying to say in a nutshell is to get the Long AAL if you end up going that route.
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thanks for your imput, however, I had already decided on an add-a-leaf. My question was if I cut a full length leaf out of a YJ, CJ or XJ spring pack and add it to a stock XJ spring pack, will it do the same thing as far as ride height as a full length add-a-leaf that I could buy.
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jeff788 said:
NO, but if you use enough, it might get you the lift you want. I have been running an RE 3" full length add-a-leaf for at least the past 3 years (maybe four?) and have been pretty happy with my spring pack. It's a little firm, but not that bad to be honest. Of course I carry a little heavy with a 35" spare and all my trail spares, but it's worked quite well for me. $35 well spent, IMHO.
I'm also running a 4Plus extended shackle and I know that helps as much with flex as anything.
yeah an aal specific for a 2 inch lift would have the right arch etc. to provide the lift when combined with your leaf pack. I installed a 2"BB (shackle and block) but still suffered from SB(saggy bottom) with the tired stock leaf pack then I came across a free set of 2" full length aal's (thanks JF1) and couldn't wait to put them on (net about 3-1/2" lift now). It's a little stiffer riding on road, but feels great on the trail!