Cherokee 3.5" Lift Installation

This kit, originally spec'd by Chet Szymecki at the (now defunct) Cherokee Connection, is a custom combination of selected parts from Old Man Emu (OME) and TeraFlex, with new original equipment (OE) rear leaf spring bushings. Although the Cherokee Connection is no longer a distributor, all these parts are still available. Chet did a great job putting together a top-quality, balanced 3.5" kit suitable for 31" tires. With this kit, my XJ is tackling some really tough trails and impressing folks. Any higher (like a 6" lift) and the installer will have to start addressing other problems, like significant steering and suspension geometry changes.

If you're thinking about going higher someday, remember this: on spring packs, especially OME, it's not recommended to use blocks (between the spring and axle). When the spring is counter-flexed it loses its shape quickly, thus losing lift. If you want a taller lift, get a taller spring pack.

The lift kit and TeraFlex quick disconnects (which included the front brakeline extensions) arrived minus the u-bolts for the rear. I was anxious to get started and decided that I could reuse the stock u-bolts. There was enough thread left on the u-bolts to accept the thicker leaf spring pack... as long as I didn't break them getting the nuts off.

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Here's the list of parts included in the Charlie XJ kit. OME is Old Man Emu. OE is Original Equipment (factory original).

3.5" XJ - 31" tires

2 front OME coil springs (#OME 930)

2 front TeraFlex coil spacers (2" spacers #SSTXZ, part of #BB1X)

2 complete OME rear leaf springs (#JC1B)*+

2 greasable rear TeraFlex shackles (6.5" shackles #RSX, part of #BB1X)

4 OME Nitrocharger shock absorbers
#N35 front (15.25" min - 23.75" max)
#N36 rear (13.50" min - 22.25" max)

4 new OME U-bolts for rear leafs (#OME U57)

2 OE large leaf spring bushings

2 OE small leaf spring bushings

TeraFlex Quick Disconnects
including front brakeline extension brackets (QDFXZ)

Later (about a year later) I adding OME Add-A-Leafs and Lift Blocks. The knowledgeable folks at Rocky Road Outfitters helped me choose a path to eliminate some of the problems that have emerged as the family has taken more and more trips. The rear leaf springs, OME #JC1B, have settled and are too soft when the XJ is fully loaded. The stiffer, taller #JC2A leaf pack could be what I really need. I may be going to a much bigger lift within a year, so I'm looking for a short term solution.

RRO suggested adding either an OME add-a-leaf or a lift block, or both. We assumed that the OME JCXL add-a-leaf would not add any height, just extra spring rate, so I ordered both the extra leaf and one inch blocks.

* Update 19Apr01: Because of all the weight I carry (kids, dog, gear, etc.), I should have bought the OME leaf spring #JC2A. It's got slightly more lift and is stiffer than the 1B spring pack. To add some lift and stiffness, I could add the OME full length leaf #JCXL. The JCXL spring adds 20% stiffness to the spring pack.

Update August 2002: The rear spring packs are bent after Sierra Trek. Here's some information and images about the problem.

+ Update 12May03: I've replaced the JC1B/JCXL spring combo with a new set of springs, the JC2A pack. I think this spring pack (JC2A) is what I should have ordered in the first place, three years ago. The JC2A has a stiff-looking helper spring. Maybe that will prevent over-flexing. I'm beginning to suspect the longer shackles as a possible culprit in the whole bent-spring incident. Maybe they allow the springs to reverse bent too much. In any case, the JC2A springs seem to have made things right.