What to do about sagging Jeep TJ springs?

[grahamfitter]

I've noticed that when my Jeep TJ is loaded down with kayaks and camping gear and whatnot the back end is several inches lower than the front end and the fuel tank is getting perilously close to the scenery. I'm thinking about adding a 100 Lb Autohome Overcamp RTT which will make matters even worse so I'm looking at my options.

Since I know nothing about this stuff, I would appreciate some guidance before I make an expensive mistake.

For reference it's a stock '97 6 cylinder 5 speed with 165K miles and 31 inch tires. It seems to work fine for the limited amount of off-road travel I do. I'm planning on keeping the Jeep for the next two years. Then it will have over 200K miles and will probably be commandeered by the next teenage driver.

One option is do nothing now and see what happens later. I quite like this idea because its free.

Another option is to replace the springs with heavier duty ones to level the vehicle. I've done a bit of research and it appears that all springs (like OME) will also add a couple of inches of lift. This sounds appealing but the transfer case will need to be dropped an inch using spacers to keep the drive shaft aligned and prevent vibrations.

That sounds fair enough but the gear shifter would sink with it, there would be more stress on the rear motor mounts because the whole motor is twisted backwards and it would expose the already conspicuous transfer case even more, although it would still be an inch further off the ground. I could avoid dropping the transfer case by replacing the slip yoke and adding a longer drive shaft but that might be getting more involved than I really need.

Are there other options?

What to do?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Graham

 

[maximumrob]

Airbags. Seen 'em on a Jeep on this forum who tows a pop-up trailer. Just a set of two in the back to level 'er out when towing and loaded.

With the miles you have, though, why not just invest in a set of Rubicon springs from a guy who lifted his truck? It only sits about 1/2" higher due to tighter spring rates.

 

[Mayne]

The basic problem is TJ springs were never designed for loads. You could get a spacer lift starting at $100 or, Airlift has an air assist that is designed for stock TJ's. They run about $100 for the basic settup (without install) and go from there. Call your local 4wheel parts store for that, or Airlift direct for a dealer.
There is a write up on www.4x4xplor.com for both space install and Airlift. He is installing an Airlift assist for a 3" spring lift, but the concept for stock is the same.

Mayne

 

[tjbliley]

Stop!!!!! Wait!!!!! All you need to do is get the 2" OME springs in the heavy rating. You will not have to change anything other than the shocks. The driveline will be fine until you get it up to 3" of lift or more. You will NOT need to drop the T-case until that size lift. At the outside you may need longer sway bar links but at 2" lift they will still be fine. air bags is alot to go through for a rig as you describe. The springs and shocks can be had for just a fraction of all the stuff you would have to put into air bags. Plus it is exactly what you need and does not include other things that can go wrong or cost more to troubleshoot in the future. I am speaking from the voice of experience. you could also go for the coil spring spacers but with your spring age you should go for new springs anyway. I have a little knowledge about this but I have many others I have relied on who have taught me what I am saying to you.

I am trying to say go for the simple straight forward solution that answers all your concerns and does not complicate your life. Get the springs and shocks. You will be happier in the end.

 

[Beowulf]

If you really carry rather heavy loads, skip past TJ OME Heavy, and go straight to OME LJ rear and use ZJ V8 front. The ride is good without a load and fantastic when loaded.

 

[computeruser]

If you really carry rather heavy loads, skip past TJ OME Heavy, and go straight to OME LJ rear and use ZJ V8 front. The ride is good without a load and fantastic when loaded.

Interesting. How much stiffer are the LJ rears than the TJ Heavy?

For the effort of sticking 1/2" spacers to re-level my TJ off, I might as well bite the bullet and finally do a lift. The rear springs have taken a serious beating from all the towing I do - soil, gravel, logs, etc - and have lost 1/2" since I spacer'd the front end by 1.25" to level the vehicle out after adding a winch.


Graham: I feel for you with the camping gear and all. Same situation here, and it is the weight on the rear rather than the lack space that is the bother. Might as well do a weight-appropriate 2" lift and be done with it. Worse case you have to do a SYE, but that probably should have been done right off the bat anyway. (I promised myself I'd do it immediately when I replaced my last jeep with my current one...40k miles ago...) You could probably do a super-short SYE and a normal two u-joint driveshaft on that small of a lift, and save the issue of adjustable upper control arms or those cam bolts.

 

[bucyouup68]

I just installed HD OME springs in my GC, installed I got about 3" of lift, but have since settled at about 2" Very happy with them, great ride, and i did not have to modify anything. Get them, you will be happy

 

[Beowulf]

This is a ZJ/LJ OME setup with a 1"BL on 33's. The ZJ will keep you from sagging up front with a super heavy bumper and winch.

Loaded with a weeks worth of Hiking gear and clothes. This was a hotel vacation in the San Juans with the wife, so no extra water, food, or camping gear.

This is completely empty.

For the most indepth knowledge possible on OME, contact Dirk at DPGoffroad.com. He is fantastic and will not try to sell you anything you don't need. Plus, he is very reasonable on his prices.

 

[njjeepthing]

Can always use ACOS by JKS. They are adjustable.
http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/m...OS&Store_Code=JKS01&Category_Code=Coil_Spring

 

[Steve Curren]

I have tried everything I could think of from air bags to a coil over attempt to try to get my LJ to take additional weight. I finally have decided to try the ACSO spacers and I found a good deal at Red Rock 4x4.. Hopefully that will get the sag out when loaded and pulling my Chaser.

 

[Willman]

Has anybody here have any pictures of a TJ with a air bag setup in or out of the spring????

:REOutArchery02:

 

[jeepboyd]

I have tried everything I could think of from air bags to a coil over attempt to try to get my LJ to take additional weight. I finally have decided to try the ACSO spacers and I found a good deal at Red Rock 4x4.. Hopefully that will get the sag out when loaded and pulling my Chaser.

the spacers won't help with load capacity just make the vehicle appear level ,tjbliley said it best new heavy duty springs like the ome are the best. the spacers work well for making the jeep appear level but you're still real had on those springs and they will wear out fast

 

[Steve Curren]

I do have 4" progressive springs from Nth so I hope that the spacers might give it a bit more. If not I guess it's to a 5.5 lift from BE that I have been wanting but myself has talked me out of numerous times..
Thanks for the info.

 

[RunninRubicon]

I do have 4" progressive springs from Nth so I hope that the spacers might give it a bit more. If not I guess it's to a 5.5 lift from BE that I have been wanting but myself has talked me out of numerous times..
Thanks for the info.

My friend Steve here tried the air-bag in the spring route. They burst under the load of a Horizon trailer being pulled behind this rig. Not a good idea.
V8GC front springs may have merit.

 

[grahamfitter]

Stop!!!!! Wait!!!!! All you need to do is get the 2" OME springs in the heavy rating. You will not have to change anything other than the shocks. The driveline will be fine until you get it up to 3" of lift or more. You will NOT need to drop the T-case until that size lift. At the outside you may need longer sway bar links but at 2" lift they will still be fine. air bags is alot to go through for a rig as you describe. The springs and shocks can be had for just a fraction of all the stuff you would have to put into air bags. Plus it is exactly what you need and does not include other things that can go wrong or cost more to troubleshoot in the future. I am speaking from the voice of experience. you could also go for the coil spring spacers but with your spring age you should go for new springs anyway. I have a little knowledge about this but I have many others I have relied on who have taught me what I am saying to you.

I am trying to say go for the simple straight forward solution that answers all your concerns and does not complicate your life. Get the springs and shocks. You will be happier in the end.

Curious - the 2 inch OME kit includes the transfer case spacers and I found a couple of write ups on the web that said there were pretty bad drive train vibrations without it.

Is there something I'm missing?

Cheers,
Graham