info on leaf spring bastard packs

[96XJmudder]

Does anyone know of a combination from another vehicle I could use to combine with my 96 XJ leaf springs that would not need any adjustments...just add it to my factory pack and bolt back on??? I've been told to use the ones off a S10 ZR2 off-road pack and that would give me a 2" lift itself but i can't find any in junk yards

 

[RenegadeT]

I used 2 Dakota leafs in my XJ pack. I think I have XJ main, cut Dakota main, XJ 2nd, Dakota 3rd, XJ 4th and 5th. Not sure how much lift the leafs alone will give, I rearched the XJs, got lots of lift.

 

[AX(J)15_tudor]

Xj packs work fine if you get a lower mileage one. If your pack is high mileage as is find two decent xj donors and make one out of those. One tip i've read is to cut an xj main and use it right under as the #2 leaf, wish I had done this. Then add in one more xj leaf from like the 3rd spot and you should get 2-3" when it's all combined. You'll likely sag before too long but it may get you by. As I understand it though any S-10's will work and I'd lean towards those if you want them to last. I think s-10 springs will ride firmer but sag less. I run an add a leaf and with a shackle relocation and no longer leaf under the main then it's been slightly s wrapping. But it got me by about one year.

 

[96XJmudder]

So when you cut and add do you remove the old ones from the old pack or leave it all together

 

[RenegadeT]

you open up the XJ leaf pack, then add some leafs from another pack...Dakota, S10, or another XJ. First time I did this was adding an extra XJ main with cut ends. The second set of leaf packs I built, I used Dakota leafs to stiffen it up for racing.

Here's a good step-step writeup...
http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com/home_brew_budget_boost.htm

 

[Chris_Keziah]

That's a good write up


Sent from my mobile Toyota base using Tapatalk

 

[AX(J)15_tudor]

If you haven't read up on this elsewhere be sure to put clamps on the leafs you cut apart to keep the center pin from becoming a projectile. Also make certain you have a solid main especially if you keep an xj main and don't run a really long second leaf. Helps with axle wrap. As I understand it you can do an axle relocation and run an s-10 main but iirc they are longer than stock. Start with decent springs and be prepared to shuffle the deck for an exact height.

 

[AX(J)15_tudor]

Dakota leafs are harder to come by with decent mileage. I think that's the reason s-10's are common in BP.

 

[96XJmudder]

thanks everyone

 

[RatLabGuy]

Note when you do this you're gonna need new, longer pins - get real forged pins or at least some true Grade 8 bolts! Don't skimp here or you'll regret it at a bad time lol...

 

[AX(J)15_tudor]

Note when you do this you're gonna need new, longer pins - get real forged pins or at least some true Grade 8 bolts! Don't skimp here or you'll regret it at a bad time lol...

You can get them from various sources but even just calling RC you can order just their AAL hardware kit for cheap which includes the clamps and center pins. I wish I had run those bolt through clamps instead of the fold over kind, whatever they are called.