rear susp coils or leafs??

[4x4dan]

Hello all, well im possibly looking at coming to the dark side and buying a jeep. Ive been looking at cheerokes and was under the impression that all cheerokes and grands were leaf spring rear up to about 99 model. That was until i looked under a 97 grand and the rear had coils???? Now if that is the case does any body know what model changed to coils?
What are the coils like to lift (3-4inch) and what are they like off road?? ( i thought i read somewhere the rear arms were to short and limit articulation) Any of your thoughts or knowledge would be greatly appreciated, cheers danny

[lukethedork]

ZJ and WJ (1993-1998 for ZJ, 1999-2005 for WJ) Grand Cherokees have Solid Axles back and front with Coil Springs back and front.
XJ Cherokees (1984 up to and including 2001) have Leaf Springs in the rear and Coil Springs in the front with Solid Axles back and front
KJ Cherokees (AKA. Liberty 2002-2007) have Coil Springs in the rear with a solid axle, and IFS using Coils Springs in the front.

Luke.

[4x4dan]

Thanks for clearing that up. So does anybody know how the rear coils perform offroad as im sure i read somewhere that the rear arms were short and didnt give the best articulation? if so whats the fix for this?
cheers danny

[lukethedork]

Glossary: SA = Short Arm. These are when you are using the original control arms, OR aftermarket control arms that are the same length as the originals. This can also refer to Adjustable Short Arms. The adjustment is only used for setting the pinion angle.

LA = Long Arm. These arms are longer, and mount further towards the center of the car to allow for the increase in length.
May require cutting / welding and are generally for more hardcore offroading. May also be adjustable

Well, the Grand Cherokees suspension goes very well back and front.
On your question about the control arms, yes they do bind. Aftermarket arms can give abit more clearance for this, or if you are going more hardcore then a Long-Arm Conversion would be the best.
You said "the rear arms were short and didnt give the best articulation?"
Well I would have to disagree with that completely. They get very good RTI scores with only a 2" OME lift.

Luke.
PS, im going to edit this with some pictures of GCs flexing with short arms.

[lukethedork]

All three of these are using Short Arms.



http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh135/TX-WJ/WJ%20trail%20pics/IMG_0967.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/hornet1224/Trucks/IMG_5211.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j297/froggo27/Jeep%20Trips/IMG_9191_resize.jpg

[4x4dan]

Thanks for that, much appreciated. Looks like you can get decent flex out of them and i suppose if im chasing more there are other options.
cheers danny

[elmoXJ]

For the best info check out AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM (http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com)

If ya wanna get a grand save for this stuff, i was going to before i done the Cherokee up

T&T Customs, Inc. - Custom Offroad Products. (http://www.tntcustoms.com/webv5/zj4linksystem.asp)

http://www.tntcustoms.com/webv4/ZJ4LinkSamples/P1010011.JPG