BJ's 2" Lift Springs from Deaver

[Scotty54]

I just completed installation of BJ's 2" lift kit. Also installed were new shackles from TGW. The entire process was very smooth and fit perfectly. I want to publicly plug Deaver, the manufacturer of the actual springs. When I received the shipment from BJ's I called Deaver to confirm that I had the correct parts (just wanted to be sure before I disassembled!). Deaver had to find their "Jeep guy" who was somewhere in their shop, and when he got on the phone he was happy to run my part numbers. All good! He then urged me to call him if I had any trouble with installation, and he didn't care how many times I had to call. I appreciate that level of service. And a plug to BJ's for marketing a quality, American made product.

[Stuka]

Any photos of before and after?

[Scotty54]

Not yet - still working on brake lines, plus I took the opportunity to clean up a lot of surface rust underneath. Still a little painting to do.

[Scotty54]

Here are the "Before" pics of my 77 Cherokee

[Scotty54]

After the lift install. Wheels and tires are next! The rear appears to be slightly higher than the front but before and after height measurements show an almost perfect 2.5" lift on all four corners.

[tgreese]

Tire diameter and actual height to the fender well will be of interest to future readers ... maybe even to readers today. Note the actual tire diameter will be a little different from the size printed on the tire. Suggest you put a straight edge across the top of the tire and measure to the ground.

[SOLSAKS]

lift looks good.
thats the amount of lift i like for the FSJs
great looking cherokee.

[Alleycat]

Great looking rig and even better color.

[letank]

Good looking rig, same chero color that appears in 007's Moonraker.... ready to go hunting!

[ericthered]

would be nice to do a write up on the ride quality of the Deaver springs. Not sure if you have any insight compared to the stock (probably flat) or any other lifted FSJ you have had in the past. Many consider these to be the best so far in ride quality.

[dodgerammit]

would be nice to do a write up on the ride quality of the Deaver springs. Not sure if you have any insight compared to the stock (probably flat) or any other lifted FSJ you have had in the past. Many consider these to be the best so far in ride quality.

Well, if Scotty doesn't chime in before I get my 2.5" lift done, I'll post a follow up of my impressions. I will say that I messaged him asking about thoughts of the quality almost a year ago. I've just had other life events push the time frame back for me to purchase the kit and install it.

He stated he previously had Alcan 2" springs on the Jeep and these were more comfortable than they were.

I'm halfway through the install on mine. The rear is done.

Hope to wrap up the front come Saturday, snug stuff down, jump on the front and rear to pre-seat the suspension, take a short drive, then pull it back in the shop and torque things down. If everything goes well, I'll most likely drive it to work a few times this next week and give my impressions of the ride.

[dodgerammit]

Well, after about 14 hours of wrenching, swearing, and having dirt, grease, and rust fall in my eyes and cover every square inch of me several times over, it's done.

I've only done a short shakedown run to cycle the suspension some before torquing the spring eye bolts to their final spec.

Initial impressions? Well, I was too busy carefully listening for odd noises or feelings on that first ride to really notice. I will say it doesn't give the hard jarring effect over bumps like it did on the sagged out original springs.

It sits like a classic SUV should, IMO. Looks like it is ready for most anything a person will realistically throw at it. Not that it wasn't pretty capable before given the flat belly pan they have.

I measured the height at the rocker panel at each wheel opening before and after. If going from tired, stockers to these 2.5" springs, you'll gain exactly 4" in height from before.

The driver's side sits 1/4"-1/2" lower for some reason. I can't imagine the steering and brake stuff is that much more. I'd think the battery would offset it. Perhaps the transfer case adds enough driver's side ballast to cause it. My fuel tank is centered where the factory spare tire went, so that's not the issue.

About to take it back out in a few, and plan on driving it most of the week to get a solid impression.

*Edited after the celebratory date night drive-in diner trip with the wife (and mutt).

So, the positives are a firm ride that is noticeably improved over potholes, bumps, etc. I opted for the Bilsteins and they dampen the impacts nicely. It's still an archaic, leaf sprung suspension, so don't expect modern day crossover comfort. The bumps are there, but the harshness is dampened tremendously, and any rebound bouncing is gone now. It is firmer than what I would like (I kinda like a cushy, floaty feel), but I'll adapt. No increased drivetrain angle issues.

The only negative I've noticed so far is some very minor bump-steer on larger impacts like bridge/pavement transitions, railroad crossings, or larger than should be 'transitions' on repaved sections of road. Nothing drastic, but you do feel the steering wheel move a bit. I'm guessing the slightly increased angle from the pitman arm comes into play here.

I also notice some harsh resonance at crawl speeds in the driveway. Unsure if the transfer case is making contact with the floor pan again, or just some harshness resonating through the driveshaft due to the suspension cycling on the very uneven driveway we have. Again, not noticed during any road driving, so not really concerning. front brake lines look to be plenty long in stock form during full droop/full turn testing in the shop. The rear brake line just does max out at full droop. It is also very ragged looking, so I will probably replace it with the 20" rear line for the 131" wheel base 79 J-10 to prevent any issues in the future. I need to go through the rear brakes anyway.

Before:


After:


Before:


After:

[devildog80]

Nice looking rig, and good work done. Yes it is a truck, and will always ride like one, but part of the appeal owning these awesome vehicles. Love that color

[dodgerammit]

I figured I'd come back with an actual measurement reference for those wanting to know how high your Wag would be with these springs and factory sized 235/75/15s. Mine are Falken Rubitrek A/Ts, FWIW.

The measurement after the spring install at this ridge on the top edge of the rocker panel is 21" from the ground

[Scotty54]

Months ago I was asked to review the ride quality on my new BJ's 2" lift. Shortly after that I had to move in with my Dad who has been suffering multiple health problems. Took me away from this forum for nine months! It was (and still is) a full time job but now he lives locally, not 600 miles away.

I had a previous Wagoneer with Alcan springs, and I do think the Deaver springs provide a better ride. My stock springs at 100k were surprisingly in good shape with an even stance on all four corners. I think the ride is equal to the stock ride. My only complaint is the right rear sits just a hair higher than the other three. It is only noticeable on a flat surface. I have not addressed leveling yet and really don't know what can be done other than giving it time to settle. It has not been driven in months but is now back on the road.

[Yeller]

Months ago I was asked to review the ride quality on my new BJ's 2" lift. Shortly after that I had to move in with my Dad who has been suffering multiple health problems. Took me away from this forum for nine months! It was (and still is) a full time job but now he lives locally, not 600 miles away.

I had a previous Wagoneer with Alcan springs, and I do think the Deaver springs provide a better ride. My stock springs at 100k were surprisingly in good shape with an even stance on all four corners. I think the ride is equal to the stock ride. My only complaint is the right rear sits just a hair higher than the other three. It is only noticeable on a flat surface. I have not addressed leveling yet and really don't know what can be done other than giving it time to settle. It has not been driven in months but is now back on the road.

Sorry to hear about your Dad, hopefully things are easier to deal with being closer.

That’s some great feed back. As for the leaning, with it sitting on a flat surface try loosening the spring eye bolts along with the shackle bolts, bounce it aggressively, even take it for a short drive, mile or 2 nothing crazy, retighten everything on the flat surface without jacking or lifting it might just solve the problem. Anytime I install leaf springs I take it for a fairly long test drive with a lot of flexing and twisting before tightening everything up. Caution would be the nuts need to be self locking so they can’t fall off.

[dodgerammit]

I'll chime in here as well. I did the whole-tighten u bolts first, sit down on all fours, snug spring eyes, but leave a bit loose, drive, come back, torque down bit.

I too, have noticed the same issue of the right rear being just a bit higher. Not visible, but a tape measure shows it being about 1/2" higher than the others.

I have almost reached the time to retorque everything after about 500 miles and it still shows a bit high.

I wouldn't think the spare (inside driver's side) would cause that much effect, especially since I have a tool bag that sits directly opposite on the passenger side comes in at about 35#.

[tgreese]

JMO - 1/2" difference at one corner? Maybe you guys are picking nits ... IME live axle leaf spring vehicles usually lean some, often badly. Back in the day, I witnessed dozens of warranty claims related to uneven ride height. Jeep had a kit sp. for warranty claims that put shims between the axle and the spring on the high corner. Far from uncommon.

[dodgerammit]

JMO - 1/2" difference at one corner? Maybe you guys are picking nits ... IME live axle leaf spring vehicles usually lean some, often badly. Back in the day, I witnessed dozens of warranty claims related to uneven ride height. Jeep had a kit sp. for warranty claims that put shims between the axle and the spring on the high corner. Far from uncommon.

Most definitely picking nits

Just commenting that what Scotty seen wasn't uncommon, but unlike most, mine seemed odd given I don't have the coffin fuel tank anymore and the vehicle should be sitting closer to level side-to-side than ever. ie: both rear springs should be closer together in height like the front springs are (within 1/4"-passenger side higher).

[devildog80]

I just can't imagine the simple weight of a fuel cell or only the driver being in the vehicle for years at a time, will not sag these old springs that much from new, unless the driver weighs much more than the average person or fuel cell is at a constant full weight. If there is something wonky enough to notice there is a sag to one side, then something mechanical has shifted and needs corrected, or the problem as said before came from the factory.
Just my $.02