Lifting the Eagle 1-3"

[Prafeston]

Thought I'd compile a list of all the ways you can easily lift an Eagle for a subtle 1-3" lift. Anything more than that up front and you'll wanna start looking into a SAS.

There are several good threads spread around the forums on this subject and two are stickied above, but I figured I'd pool all the info into one post and try to get a consensus on every available option for lifting the Eagle without doing a SAS. I've compiled a list of things I've found around the forum, but I'd like to add additional Part # and Helpful links for people to purchase everything they'll need to do this lift. There are several ways to go about it on the rear...but really only one safe/easy way to do it in the front. Here is the list I've got so far. Please feel free to help me find part numbers and anything else I may have overlooked on the forum. Also add to or correct me if I'm wrong about some of the things I've listed.

Anyway here it is:

Rears
Lift Kit Shackles
Add-a-leaf
Helper Spring
ESPO Leaf springs with extra leaf
Blocks and U-bolts (not recommended)
XJ Leafs will fit the Wagons(and 2/4 door sedans) but still require an extra leaf to provide any lift. Also you must change shackles and bushings too. (SX4/Kammbacks can take an XJ leaf set and swap them to the main leaf on the Eagle..since they are a bit lighter this alone might provide some lift.)
“Bast@rd Pack” Donor springs: Cherokee, S10, Dodge Dakota, Isuzu Rodeo/Trooper. Possibly: Ranger, Explorer.

Fronts
Javelin springs from ESPO are said to provide about 1” of lift.
Coil Springs NAPA #277-3188 that are from a "Commercial Chassis" AMC Matador
1” Spacer provides approximately 2-3” of lift. Part # SPC 1706 (Don’t want any more than a 3” lift up front without swapping to Straight Axles.)

Helpful Links
Rear Lift Thread by Gil
http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=158.0
Front Coil Spring Lift Thread by Gil
http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=171.msg32860#msg32860
ESPO Leafs and Coils can be bought here
http://www.springsnthings.com/
Summit Racing Sells SPC Performance Coil Spacers
http://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/spc-performance/product-line/spc-performance-coil-spring-spacers/make/american-motors
Shackle Kit on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029K202/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=analogindustr-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B00029K202
Add-a-leaf
http://www.quadratec.com/products/76101_800_07.htm
Another Add-a-leaf
http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts/pro_comp_helper_spring/prohe66684/procompe3713120rear.aspx?scid=SG010000&origin=pla&ST_SRC=PPC&gclid=CJDQoIvZsbUCFWlxQgod1jEAfw
Cherokee Leaf Swap
http://www.amceaglesden.com/~iowaeagl/guide/index.php?title=Installing_Cherokee_Leaf_Springs

[Brentmo]

Thanks for bringing this all together.  How much lift is needed to run 215/75/15 tires?  225/75/15? 

[Prafeston]

Depends...you can run up to 235/75/15 on stock height if you don't mind just cutting the inner wheel well flares a bit. Captain has a write up on it somewhere out there. I believe a 2" lift should easily fit 225/75.

[vangremlin]

Thanks for bringing this all together.  How much lift is needed to run 215/75/15 tires?  225/75/15?

If your springs aren't sagging too much you should be able to use 215/75/15 without a problem. 

One other thing you can do that may provide a bit of lift in the back is using the Monroe Sensa Trac shocks.  I put those on my car and got about an inch of height in the back.

[casper]

honeybadger (sx4) fit 215/75/15 tires with no lift what so ever.

rafe, i have heard from carnuck and his buddy (forget his online name) but they built SOTE, that spirit upper a-arms give eagles a 2" or so lift, and eagle a-arms on a spirit, give it a 2" drop. i have one of each, and want to do exactly that. problem is, i have to get a time between use of both to swap upper a-arms. drag car is used in the summer, honeybadger in the winter. lol. and if i go into swapping a-arms, im going to go full stupid and do entire front suspension rebuild. bushings everywhere. that means an alignment on both also. going to cost a heavy chunk. get with carnuck to find out for sure thats the deal. looking at them side by side, the spirit a arm drops down lower AFTER the spring seat. that would make the eagle sit higher, as it has a taller steering knuckle.

im thinking i want to do the spirit upper arms, springs, and all that. and try using the s10 cv shafts. they are a little longer shafts. maybe that would allow for maybe 4" of lift and cv's still live? some day i will get this swap done and see what happens. maybe this spring ill get to do it. between snow and racing seasons.

[rollguy]

Rafe, have an egg (thumbs up) for your efforts!

[Nightpath]

Bumping an old topic, but I take it that the springs would be a better lift than the A arms and the old springs eh?

[vangremlin]

Bumping an old topic, but I take it that the springs would be a better lift than the A arms and the old springs eh?

If you're going to that much effort, you may as well replace the springs while you're at it, will give you a better ride. 

[Billman]

Has anyone got a preference in coil spring compressors?

[GRONK]

Just want to give a conformation on lift coils/spring since I just did both the front and rear.

I used new 74 Javelin coil springs in the front.  I already had a good height w/ no sagging but got a solid 1" lift.  I used new factory shocks w/ extenders, will upgrade those down the road.  It rides smooth, handles tight and doesn't bounce around when hitting pot holes.

I used new 88+ Jeep Cherokee RANCHO 2" lift springs in the rear.  New bushings were needed (and tricky to source)  I got a good 2.5-3"" lift in the rear end (at the bumper).   I wanted an aggressive stance and I got it.  I again used stock shocks w/ extenders.  Ride is excellent.  When I have the time, I will source the proper air shocks so I can utilize the factory air-ride suspension.

I am clearing 215 75 15's w/ no rubbing.  I installed a set of 225 75 15's and loved the look but the front rubbed on turns and I didn't want to trim.  If I was willing to trim the inner fenders and do a little adjusting, I could clear 235 75 15's.

I am very pleased with everything and have no regrets on any of the mods.

I had a professional alignment done and I get a "slight" vibration over 65 MPH.  Will align again after I do a 1000 mile shakedown.

[Prafeston]

Welcome Back Gronk! Got any pics of before and after? Especially after. Thanks.

[Taylor]

I can still read most of the tire label in my glove box. the size i can read is 215/65 15
I think the other one is 195/75 15 but most of it isn't too legible.
I too would like slightly larger and all terrain. Thanks for the help everybody and welcome back Gronk.

[amcfool1]

hi, I just "restified" a 84 4dr sedan. was not going for any kind of lift AT ALL. anyway, bought the ESPO front coils, now car sits nose up, bought rear HD leafs from Stenglebros in PA, car leveled up. maybe 1" lift, without even trying. looks good, rides well, life is good! btw, I run the stock tire size, 215/65-15, no need to reenginner the car. good luck, gz

[DIREWOLF]

Hi everyone, sorry I guess this is an old topic but I had to ask when I seen that the "block and U-bolt" technique wasn't recommended. Why is that? My SX/4 had them on the rear already when I purchased it. Should this be changed and if so, why?

Thanks

[eaglefreek]

Lift blocks may cause axle wrap, bent springs or broken springs. However, thousands of vehicles are running them with no issues. I'd be concerned if it was a one ton truck with a big diesel, but I wouldn't worry about it with an Eagle.