Spacers on my XJ

[TJMexico]

My 1999 XJ (recently acquired) has spacers, about 2" it looks like. I discovered them when my rear passenger side hand-brake cable seized up in the mountains and I had to do a road-side recovery. (Yeah, I should have caught on before, but here we are. )

The vehicles is a sport model. It looks to have about a 5" lift. Axle to rail measurement is 11.5" in front and 10.5" in the rear.

I'm running 31x10.5R15s all around. Not sure of the rim width.

So, I am wondering if I need the spacers, or if they could be removed. I don't care for them in heavy off-road use unless absolutely necessary for tire fitting. I am not concerned in the least about aesthetics, just utility and dependability.

What say the erudites around here?

 

[GATORB8]

My 1999 XJ (recently acquired) has spacers, about 2" it looks like. I discovered them when my rear passenger side hand-brake cable seized up in the mountains and I had to do a road-side recovery. (Yeah, I should have caught on before, but here we are. )

The vehicles is a sport model. It looks to have about a 5" lift. Axle to rail measurement is 11.5" in front and 10.5" in the rear.

I'm running 31x10.5R15s all around. Not sure of the rim width.

So, I am wondering if I need the spacers, or if they could be removed. I don't care for them in heavy off-road use unless absolutely necessary for tire fitting. I am not concerned in the least about aesthetics, just utility and dependability.

What say the erudites around here?

Assuming 5" of lift clears the fenders regardless, I'd check your full lock clearance to the LCA. A lot of times that's the first contact with low backspace. Could always pull one and cycle it.

Also, double check that the wheel lug pattern is stock to confirm they aren't adapters also.

 

[srimes]

My 1999 XJ (recently acquired) has spacers, about 2" it looks like. I discovered them when my rear passenger side hand-brake cable seized up in the mountains and I had to do a road-side recovery. (Yeah, I should have caught on before, but here we are. )

The vehicles is a sport model. It looks to have about a 5" lift. Axle to rail measurement is 11.5" in front and 10.5" in the rear.

I'm running 31x10.5R15s all around. Not sure of the rim width.

So, I am wondering if I need the spacers, or if they could be removed. I don't care for them in heavy off-road use unless absolutely necessary for tire fitting. I am not concerned in the least about aesthetics, just utility and dependability.

What say the erudites around here?

Tits or GTFO.

Sorry, pirate4x4 flashback.

Check it yourself. Flex and turn and see if you have the space to remove the spacers.

Or just take the spacers off and check clearances.

You didn't give enough info to answer your question. Wheel specs (width and backspacing) are key.

On my 99 I ran that tire on stock rims and 2" lift. Required just a little clearancing. Fold over the fender pinch seam. Maybe something else it was a while back.

Naxja was the best resource on these. I think they're still active.

Pics would help.

 

[jjvw]

My 1999 XJ (recently acquired) has spacers, about 2" it looks like. I discovered them when my rear passenger side hand-brake cable seized up in the mountains and I had to do a road-side recovery. (Yeah, I should have caught on before, but here we are. )

The vehicles is a sport model. It looks to have about a 5" lift. Axle to rail measurement is 11.5" in front and 10.5" in the rear.

I'm running 31x10.5R15s all around. Not sure of the rim width.

So, I am wondering if I need the spacers, or if they could be removed. I don't care for them in heavy off-road use unless absolutely necessary for tire fitting. I am not concerned in the least about aesthetics, just utility and dependability.

What say the erudites around here?

Since we already know the same front axle is used on a TJ, can't you apply everything you know about front spacers on a TJ to an XJ?

 

[TJMexico]

Tits or GTFO.

Sorry, pirate4x4 flashback.

Check it yourself. Flex and turn and see if you have the space to remove the spacers.

Or just take the spacers off and check clearances.

You didn't give enough info to answer your question. Wheel specs (width and backspacing) are key.

On my 99 I ran that tire on stock rims and 2" lift. Required just a little clearancing. Fold over the fender pinch seam. Maybe something else it was a while back.

Naxja was the best resource on these. I think they're still active.

Pics would help.

Thanks.

Yeah, I figured I'd eventually need to just pull the spacers and drive a bit.

I'll see if I can dig out a bit more specs and maybe post some pics, but just doing it is going to be my best bet. Just wanted to see if there was a general consensus that I really needed them.

 

[TJMexico]

Since we already know the same front axle is used on a TJ, can't you apply everything you know about front spacers on a TJ to an XJ?

My TJ has a shorter lift, plus the wheelwells are going to be different.

 

[jjvw]

My TJ has a shorter lift, plus the wheelwells are going to be different.

The guidelines for SAI are the same and are unaffected by a spring lift.

 

[srimes]

Thanks.

Yeah, I figured I'd eventually need to just pull the spacers and drive a bit.

I'll see if I can dig out a bit more specs and maybe post some pics, but just doing it is going to be my best bet. Just wanted to see if there was a general consensus that I really needed them.

5" and 31s sounds like a street build, with no body mods for clearance. I'd expect it to need some work before pushing it offroad. Probably not a ton, though.

Make sure to check bumpstop extensions while you're at it. That matters more than lift height.