ZJ: Coils fro Front to back swap

[Howler]

Ok I am looking at doing the F>B swap shortly. I have a few questions I would like to run past you. I have a 97 ZJ with a V8. There is a wrecker down the street from where I work that deals with only trucks (no Jeep:(). Is there a different truck I could get front coils from other then a ZJ? Maybe a Dodge Ram that had been liffted?
Also will I need to replace my stock shocks. I am assuming I will have to but am wondering if the stock will last a while till I get money to order some good ones. Again I think I might ask the same questions here, is there another truck I could get these off. What do I look for when trying to find these components. Thanks in advance.
Howler

[MJS]

I have a RE 3.5" lift. However I've been around long enough to know that the F-> R swap isn't the smoothest riding lift solution out there. Typically you would use non-upcountry (I6 ?) springs in the rear and you would get a pair of Teraflex, RE, Rusty, whatever springs in the front.

But even those front springs in the rear tend to ride a little rougher than with a purposefully designed kit. This leads me to your original question. Don't use springs from a Dodge Ram. Those puppies have a much higher spring rate than those for ZJs and would be too stiff.

If you are looking for about 3" of lift here's the most affordable way:
V8 upcountry springs all around
Teraflex 2" BudgetBoost
appropriately sized shocks (Bilsteins, OME, Rancho, etc..)
Front adjustable track bar
Rear adjustable track bar or bracket (less $$)
Disconnects
Adjsutable control arms if you have left over $$

Good luck

[justins311]

I have had a F->R, a RE kit, and a UC/2" spacer combo, and the RE was by far the roughest. The F->R would come in second, and the UC the softest obviously (stock).

As far as handling, however, the F->R comes in first. It all depends on you shocks also. If you get RS5000's for example, they're all gonna jiggle you kidneys!

EDIT: And the above way is definitely not the most affordable. Just buying the V8 UC springs will cost you more {probably} than a brand new set of Tera front 3.5" springs, not to mention they'll be very hard to find.

Then add to that all those other parts, and you're way over the bill. Here's my suggestion:

F->R w/ 3.5" Tera springs in front
Stock f's in rear, w/ maybe a 1" spacer to even out
Redrill front track bar
Bracket for rear
New shocks all around.

Depending on which shocks, you'll get in under $400 for the complete lift!

[George Frampton]

I also disagree. The non-UC I6 springs that I used for my F2R swap were too soft, especially without a rear swaybar. The springs are a very low spring rate, which resulted in a wallowing ride on the interstate, and compressed WAY too easily on the trail whenever I loaded the Jeep with gear. When I sat in the cargo area, the springs would compress nearly one inch (I weigh nearly 260#s) These problems were probably magnified by the stiffer Rancho springs I had in the front.

I went to a Rancho + 2" BB lift, with the original Rancho springs at all four corners. It is much better for my taste. I would assume that if you used a much lower spring rate in the front (Rusty's or similar) then you would reduce the premature rear spring compression that was caused by my stiffer front Rancho springs on the trail.

HTH

[Anthony]

Gotta agree with George on this one. I am currently running a f->r swap with v8 non-uc springs in the back and Tera s3z (3.25") springs in front. I also have a 1.75" BB spacer in rear and a 1" spacer in the front. The rear is too soft. Not really noticable in daily driving but I can stuff an flex the rear on a trail before the front does much flexing. THe front springs are definitely stiffer than the factory fronts. If I had it to do again I would have just put the Tera's all the way around. You can't use springs from anything else because the spring rate will be way off. You will need longer shocks but not necessarily new shocks. I went with new shocks in the rear. I just measured and looked through the parts store books to find one the length I wanted with the correct (or close to it) ends. I am still running stock shocks in the front. I made some bar pin eliminators to move the bottom of the shocks up about 1 1/2" and soem washers on top to move the top down abotu 1/2". This works great with the 4+" of lift I now have.

[KevinF]

Another disagreement. My non-UC V8 coils that I moved to the back were also too soft. I was bottoming out with a full load in the rear. I didn't think they rode all that well either. I replaced them with a higher rate (variable rate) front ZJ coil from www.carparts.com and have been VERY happy with the outcome. I think I paid like $60 for the pair inc. shipping.

Hope that helps!
Kevin

[dave]

Phooey. With all these results I'm just going to hold out for some Tera rears. My I6 fronts will be too mickey mouse. Already bought Tera fronts but have been waiting until I could afford adjustable arms. ('94 w/139K and deeeaaad bushings) Can you say S3Z by piecemeal? :/

[Howler]

Thanks for all your responses. Looks like I will wait a bit and do it right the first time.
Howler

[1funZJ]

I did a f>r swap because everyone told me it was an inexpensive way to lift a ZJ. NOT TRUE! I have probably spent as much money already as I would have if I had bought a complete kit. And I still need front adjustable upper control arms and both on the rear. However, with using RE 3.5" front springs I ended up getting about a 4.5" lift with the i6. :D I'm not disappointed with that! ;)

[TiggersBounce]

Maybe I just lucked out...
front V8 non-UC springs swapped to the rear, Skyjacker 'Softride' ZJ 3" front springs and SJ shocks
When first completed, it left the front raked down about 1" due in part to the ARB/Warn combo up there. I have since levelled out with some front spacers at ~3.5" lift.
I like the ride, and the SJ 'Soft-ride' springs are a good match for the front coils when swapped to the rear.

As far as cost goes, it was cheap. 2 front coils and four shocks. I made or modified everything else, and escaped with a lift for under US$350. Thats a hard number to beat when you have to buy a kit, especially if it has parts that won't work right.

Forget using Dodge Ram parts ... there is a wrecker in Kitchener on Manitou that I was able to get some ZJ UC front coils for lifting our XJ. C$40 for the pair :) Give them a call.

Just be aware ... the F2R is a relatively inexpensive way to get 3.5-4" of lift ... go beyond that and you defeat the whole idea because of the extra parts you have to get anyways. Costs soar ..

[Howler]

Thanks Alan. But seeing that I have the V8 coils already in the front am I still giong to have the same affect? Or should I just get spacers and save myself time and money?

[TiggersBounce]

I wouldn't attempt the F2R with a front spacer lift if that is what I understand you are saying .. since your front springs are going to the rear, you need something to go up front anyways.
I actually liked the 'rake' that the 3" SJ coils gave, but kept hammering the ARB into rocks and stumps, so added the spacers to get it up out of the way some more.
National 4WD isn't that expensive .. they had the coils in stock when i bought mine.

[Howler]

Thanks Tigger. It looks like I might be getting promoted so I might just use spacers for now and save up for a real lift later. Thanks.