4.3LXJ
10-01-2015, 06:26 PM
Suspension blocks 101
I thought I would comment on suspension blocks and some of the reasons why they are not a good idea for and XJ. Will they raise vehicle, yes. And it can look cool and seem like a cheap way to do it. However, as we look at the pic below, there are some pitfalls that many kits do not address that need to be. One, is the block long enough on the top side? In the pic below, the block is cast iron. You will notice if you look closely that it is tapered, That is so they can remove it from the mold and not destroy it. The angle is usually two or three degrees. So the bottom line is that the block is shorter on the top than the bottom. This is not a problem with something like a pickup that has a thick tapered flat leaf on the bottom. But on an XJ with a single stage spring, this means the center of the spring is bending more. Smoother ride, but a no no.
Second thing that is wrong with this picture is the bump stop. I can't see it and I just about guarantee it has not been extended downward. I am sure there was some great articulation and a great stuff in the fender well. But it also caused the spring to bend too much, again at the middle and the temper was bent out of the leaves. Number three got a crack in it and then that little off road trip caused the others to follow. So bottom line is that if a spacer block is used on an XJ, the bump stop needs to be spaced as much.
I thought I would comment on suspension blocks and some of the reasons why they are not a good idea for and XJ. Will they raise vehicle, yes. And it can look cool and seem like a cheap way to do it. However, as we look at the pic below, there are some pitfalls that many kits do not address that need to be. One, is the block long enough on the top side? In the pic below, the block is cast iron. You will notice if you look closely that it is tapered, That is so they can remove it from the mold and not destroy it. The angle is usually two or three degrees. So the bottom line is that the block is shorter on the top than the bottom. This is not a problem with something like a pickup that has a thick tapered flat leaf on the bottom. But on an XJ with a single stage spring, this means the center of the spring is bending more. Smoother ride, but a no no.
Second thing that is wrong with this picture is the bump stop. I can't see it and I just about guarantee it has not been extended downward. I am sure there was some great articulation and a great stuff in the fender well. But it also caused the spring to bend too much, again at the middle and the temper was bent out of the leaves. Number three got a crack in it and then that little off road trip caused the others to follow. So bottom line is that if a spacer block is used on an XJ, the bump stop needs to be spaced as much.