ZJ springs on a TJ?

[TheReV]

1998 tj 4cly manual.. factory stock hard top

1997 zj 5.2 full time 4x4.. new rancho lift installed


My question... I have heard and read in some areas that using the front coils from the zj in my tj would net a lift ? I know if course the spring rate is different.. but looking for any advice or experience good or bad with this..

I have zero cash... ZERO! [emoji25]. My friend is the one with the zj. He has the factory springs and has given them to me. Free is the best price I've seen for these things!

I have read the tj front springs moved to the rear with the zj fronts is the equivalent of a 2" lift +/-...

Please help

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[Chris]

Found this on fourwheeler.com:

It’s not so much that we are total cheapskates—we hope. We will spend our hard-earned dough on expensive, high-quality parts, but only if we can’t find a cheaper alternative that works almost as well. Can you relate? Generally we shy away from super-inexpensive suspension, steering, and braking components because, well, we want those things to work without a doubt. Spending money there is an investment in living a little longer, but there are exceptions to nearly everything in life. One such case revolves around a pair of front ZJ coils that we literally picked up at the “you-grab-it” junkyard a while back. These springs were on the ground next to a wrecked ZJ that someone else had pulled the front axle out of. They are a little rusty and super cheap at about $20 for the pair. Rumor had it that they would provide a little lift over stock on our beater ’97 TJ with a nose-low stance, and we had to test it out. Follow along as we show you the super-cheap budget result.

Here are the two coils next to each other. The ZJ coil, static, without any weight on it is about 21⁄2 inches taller than the TJ coil. Otherwise the dimensions are very similar, with the top uppermost coil slightly smaller than the rest of the spring’s coils on both. Our Rubicon Express budget-boost shocks are long enough to allow the springs to be changed without unbolting the shocks. We did, however, have to disconnect the drag link from our passenger-side TeraFlex high-steer knuckle (“Shrink Ray TJ: Part 1,” Nov. ’12). If your TJ is more stock, you may have to disconnect your sway bar, the lower shock mounts, and possibly one end of the track bar to swap front coils.

Once in place and with the weight of the vehicle on the springs, the ZJ coil added about 13⁄4 to 2 inches of lift over our tired stock TJ coils. The diameter of the ZJ coil wire is slightly thicker (the TJ coils are 0.48-inch, while the ZJ coils are 0.52-inch). This should cause the ZJ coils to have a higher spring rate, and the ride on the ZJ coils is a bit firmer than it was with our old TJ coils. The end result is that our TJ now sits more level, and the front bumpstops are not constantly bottoming while on the trail. We have more usable uptravel with impressive flex.

 

[TheReV]

That's the exact article I have read! I've also read (can't remember where) the front could from the tj on the rear???


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[Chris]

Also, see this thread too:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/zj-coils.7510/

Looks like @derekmac has done this swap, and @StG58 must have been pondering the swap at some point (but decided against it).

 

[MultiMotive]

Hey I like that! @Chris what years work on the ZJ? I'd be cramming them into my 2000 TJ Sport.
Might be yet another list item for the next pick & pull expedition.

 

[Chris]

Hey I like that! @Chris what years work on the ZJ? I'd be cramming them into my 2000 TJ Sport.
Might be yet another list item for the next pick & pull expedition.

My understanding is that it's 93-98 ZJ V8 springs that you want.

 

[TheReV]

100% of those posts I have read.. however I must be to New to the whole forum thing.. I haven't been able to find a diffinitive "guide" to this. Using CV coils in the rear for 3 inches but they sag quickly.. f150coils..

I'm looking into what the long term results with front zj and rear (front) tj coils... Hmmmmm


Maybe someone has before and after pics??? Please oh please

I actually might as well be our guinne pig on this.. tomorrow or maybe tonight.. zj coils are going on... We will see

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[TheReV]

I will be taking before and after photos and measures.. keep your fingers crossed!!!

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[sgtjdgelinas]

I'm interested in how this turns out, I'd like to lower my TJ to four inches of lift but I'm a real cheapskate.

 

[Chris]

You might actually be the guinea pig. I'm unable to find any before and after photos of this swap, so if you do end up being the guinea pig, it might be helpful for others if you documented the process with photos and parts needed, so maybe we could have an official thread on the matter!

 

[MultiMotive]

I will be taking before and after photos and measures.. keep your fingers crossed!!!

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DO IT DO IT! I don't know the long term implications but I like you being the guinea pig. :beer-toast1:

 

[TheReV]

I'll do my best!!

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[derekmac]

I have ZJ V8 coils in the front of mine, and CV rear springs in the rear of mine. The ZJ springs gave my 05 4.0 an inch of lift in the front, but you'd get more having a 4 banger. The CV springs gave me about 2.5" in the rear. I also have 2" BB spacers in the front, and front coil spring isolators in the rear. Doing that has me sitting 3" higher front and rear.

My CV springs were not from a police Interceptor edition, which I understand has a higher spring rate. The CV springs will also not fit over the spring perch (I can't remember if it's the upper or lower they won't fit over), but a slight cut with an angle grinder will open them up enough to slide over.

From what I understand, it's not recommended to run front springs in the rear. Something to do with the way the springs are designed, and they're not meant to be fully compressed like rear springs are. I don't know how much truth there is behind that though.

You'll also need shocks, no way around that. For cheap (or free) good shocks, get some stock JK shocks. They're good for 2-3" lifts on our rigs, and they also ride very nicely.

 

[TheReV]

I have ZJ V8 coils in the front of mine, and CV rear springs in the rear of mine. The ZJ springs gave my 05 4.0 an inch of lift in the front, but you'd get more having a 4 banger. The CV springs gave me about 2.5" in the rear. I also have 2" BB spacers in the front, and front coil spring isolators in the rear. Doing that has me sitting 3" higher front and rear.

My CV springs were not from a police Interceptor edition, which I understand has a higher spring rate. The CV springs will also not fit over the spring perch (I can't remember if it's the upper or lower they won't fit over), but a slight cut with an angle grinder will open them up enough to slide over.

From what I understand, it's not recommended to run front springs in the rear. Something to do with the way the springs are designed, and they're not meant to be fully compressed like rear springs are. I don't know how much truth there is behind that though.

You'll also need shocks, no way around that. For cheap (or free) good shocks, get some stock JK shocks. They're good for 2-3" lifts on our rigs, and they also ride very nicely.

Thanks for the info.. I currently have some rancho rs9000 that I will be using I've heard they are decent shocks. My hopes are to install the zj springs and hopefully have the rake eliminated.. then possibly purchase a BB kit.. or maybe just the rear if the net lift with the zj stuff is more than level..

How is your ride with this mod?
Would you go this route again??

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[derekmac]

How is your ride with this mod?
Would you go this route again??

I'm incredibly happy with how it rides, and it works great on and off-road. Would I do it again, probably. I do like to do odd things though.

 

[Rob5589]

Just FYI; if going to about 3" of lift will generally require adjustable control arms, track bars, either a transfer case drop or motor mount lift. 4" of lift will need all of that for certain along with a sye and double cardan drive shaft.

3+ inches of lift on a TJ isn't going to done for next to nothing money wise.

 

[derekmac]

I don't have a t-case drop, MML, adjustable control arms or front track bar. I did install a rear track bar bracket as the drivers side tire was too close to the coil bucket. I'd say my 3" lift has cost me less than $150. Having a Rubicon does save me from needing a SYE though.

 

[TheReV]

Before..

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[TheReV]

Appears that the springs that where given to me were a lifted spring for the Zj.. quite a bit of lift.

After installing them the front is now quite a bit higher than the rear stock height.. I was going for maybe a 2 inch lift in there front.. these gave a 5 inch net lift.. so rear to be level I will need approx 2.5 to 3 inches ....

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[TheReV]

Don't know what to think

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