XJ Suspension choices?

[abarker]

I am in the process of lifting Jeep XJ Sport 2000 to 2" above standard (1" above Sport).

I just had the rear leaf springs reset and a full length leaf added by Mayne Springs in Brisbane for $400. The rear end now measures 19.5" from centre of hub to bottom of guard. Which I think is pronably 2.5" lift from standard.

I now need to put on new rear shocks and front springs and shocks to match.

I have searched on the net for the pros and cons of EFS, Ranchos, Tough Dog, OME, Pro Comp and Bilstein and seem to find good and bad reports about all.

I predominatley do city driving but about 6 times a year go to Stradbroke Island for lots of sand driving and 2 times a year go to Levuka or Rover Park etc (4wd venues) for a bit of fun. I dont often carry loads on top of the few silly people who want to be in the car with me when I end up totally out of control down greasy hills or sand dunes but pretending I know exactly what I am doing (lucky they cant hear my screaming over their own ).

I plan to put on a bigger tyre on the 15" rim to maybe a 30".

I would welcome comments from people as to suggestions on front springs and shocks all round (and also if I need to do the steering damper too).

Any suggestions on tyre size also welcome. The main thinking about the lift is to be able to get just a bit more clearance and the bigger footprint from the larger tyres.

I am leaning towards pro comp shocks ES9000 (2" lift version) at the moment and thinking about getting them directly from USA. HAs anyone tried this before?

Not sure about front springs at the moment.

Welcome to any advice especially if you have used more than one brand and can compare.

Regads,

Andrew

[low ranger]

The best choice from the options you listed is OME. Even in the US, it rates better than most of their products.
Rick

[Tuffeb]

ive got some king spring 3 inch coils im selling,

the shocekrs i have are 3 inch oldman emu pretty tired tho but they still work pretty well, definetly reccomend them from new

[junglejuice]

I am running a similar height suspension kit in mine and have experimented with different shocks to run with my OME springs, I have tried 5 sets of OME shocks, the stock Sport shocks, a set of ProComp ES9000 and some Pedders, by far the best ride, best controlled set on ordinary roads are the stock OEM Jk Wrangler shocks, the worst by a long way (really rough, uncontrolled ride) was the ProComps, the OME shocks don't control the springs well so if you would hit bumps on a bend at speed you get the car skipping around which is dangerous, all 5 sets were the same.
The stock Sport (pre-update) shocks are second best in my testing but limited wheel travel.....

[xjdavid]

Interesting, so what type of shocks are the stock JK. Are they a monotube shock like the factory xj shocks.

[junglejuice]

I would assume so....

[layback40]

Originally Posted by junglejuice

I am running a similar height suspension kit in mine and have experimented with different shocks to run with my OME springs, I have tried 5 sets of OME shocks, the stock Sport shocks, a set of ProComp ES9000 and some Pedders, by far the best ride, best controlled set on ordinary roads are the stock OEM Jk Wrangler shocks, the worst by a long way (really rough, uncontrolled ride) was the ProComps, the OME shocks don't control the springs well so if you would hit bumps on a bend at speed you get the car skipping around which is dangerous, all 5 sets were the same.
The stock Sport (pre-update) shocks are second best in my testing but limited wheel travel.....

JJ, are you saying that OEM JK Wrangler shocks are the correct travel & length for an XJ with a similar set up to yours? If so this is very useful info. There is a lack of proper information out there on required length & travel of various combinations.