Cherokee Front Springs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

85_prairieboy · 05-18-2015, 08:15 PM

I decided to throw the dice and swapped my cut stock coils for a set of Cherokee springs. I am amazed by the difference in stored energy. I shouldn't be. The cherokee springs were 18.5 inches free length and squashed down to the perfect height. I used to be able to lift the bumper by hand an inch and now I can pull it up 5-6. I ran it last weekend with full exhaust, n/a and breathing all the hot air from under the hood and ran 13.1 @ 100 mph, the best i have ever done with out nitrous. I'm headed back to the track this weekend and am hoping for a shot of the front tires off the ground.

Super73 · 05-18-2015, 10:33 PM

If you continue to use this spring and go faster, you will need a very good shock to control that spring. I am running in to that issue now and actually moving back to a shorter stiffer spring. My Rancho 9000's just can't keep the front end from coming up to fast.

I don't want to invest in the shock now as I would like to do a full mustang 2 conversion down the road. Spending $1k on shocks twice just does not make sense.

85_prairieboy · 05-18-2015, 11:26 PM

When the front end rises too fast does it unload the rear tires after the initial hit? Currently I am getting some wheelspin when I first launch and then they hook up

Super73 · 05-18-2015, 11:40 PM

Take a close look at the videos I posted in this thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=670129

This was last weekend. You can see it lifts both fronts. When it is coming down, it unloads the rear tire about 10-15' out. If I had a shock that could slow the rise, it would definitely help.

The options I have are 1) try to add more add more power, which might carry the wheelie further and still have the issue or 2) slow the rise.

85_prairieboy · 05-18-2015, 11:53 PM

Wow I see what you mean, I am going to try get some good video like that to see what is going on

71Dragtruck · 05-19-2015, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85_prairieboy

Wow I see what you mean, I am going to try get some good video like that to see what is going on

What are you running for front shocks? I have a set of good QA1's that might fit your truck.

Super73 · 05-19-2015, 01:32 PM

I have Rancho 9000's mounted in the stock 1963 location which is the back side of the control arm. I no longer have them mounted to the frame the way they were from the factory. I welded a couple ears that sit above the frame rail. I would be interested in them.

BR3W CITY · 05-19-2015, 03:42 PM

I used the 9-11" QA1 promastars on mine, with a similar setup and I'm pretty dang happy about the way it controls the front. If your tabs are higher, they may still work for you, but QA1 makes a step longer which are like 10.25-13 stroke which would make up the height difference if you needed to.

Super73 · 05-19-2015, 08:09 PM

Thing is the Rancho does a fine job at 1.5ish 60's and slower. I have almost 8" of front suspension travel (shock sees roughly 4"). Combo works fine on motor, but on the bottle, it just had to much pretty foe l for the spring shock combo I have. I really need to go double adjustable with a real good shock.

85_prairieboy · 05-20-2015, 01:06 AM

Posted via Mobile Device

85_prairieboy · 05-20-2015, 01:10 AM

Right now I have a set of Nitro drop shocks. Less than ideal. I'm going to see what happens this weekend with nitrous and if it's not good I might take you up on those 71Dragtruck
Posted via Mobile Device

BR3W CITY · 05-20-2015, 01:25 AM

The nitros are usually VERY stiff on compression and don't control lift much. In generally they leave soft and land hard, not really ideal.

scatesracing · 05-21-2015, 05:16 PM

What year Cherokee springs are you guys using?

Super73 · 05-21-2015, 07:33 PM

Mine were early 90's V8 grand Cherokee

scatesracing · 05-21-2015, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super73

Mine were early 90's V8 grand Cherokee

I picked up a pair out of an 03 grand Cherokee with the 4.0 I6. I hope they work.

85_prairieboy · 05-25-2015, 12:26 AM

Yes mine were from an early 90's Grand Cherokee as well. There were 2 options and I chose the heavy duty set. $118 Canadian for a new set. I think my suspension is working ok for now. Hooked hard enough on an unprepped track to hit my head on the back window!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emAKN8888zw

Super73 · 05-25-2015, 03:05 AM

Definately transferred weight.

skeeterbug · 08-18-2015, 02:18 PM

Dang my luck go figure..... I have a set of front and rear springs out of a yj that i used the rear springs for lowering springs back in the day before going coilover rear. I also have the Front/ rear springs i just took off my 2013 JKU 4-door from a lift kit i just installed on it, but no Cherokee springs....crap! I wonder what the spring rates on the cherokee,...JKU springs may work, i think ill try it. I will let yall know how they work out.

Ont67shortbox · 10-22-2015, 11:11 PM

will the Cherokee springs work with a BBC,or is the engine too heavy, I see everyone that tried this had a SBC,would like to heard about BBC experience

BR3W CITY · 10-23-2015, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ont67shortbox

will the Cherokee springs work with a BBC,or is the engine too heavy, I see everyone that tried this had a SBC,would like to heard about BBC experience

I resent that, don't lump the LS guys in with the GenI SBC riff-raff.

Ont67shortbox · 10-23-2015, 12:03 PM

sorry, LS and SBC guys,no offence intended, just want to know if this is worth trying with a BB

Super73 · 10-23-2015, 12:45 PM

Get the front end weighed and you will likely have your answer. But if I had to guess, I think it will be on the bump stops

05-18-2015, 08:15 PM	#1
85_prairieboy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Glaslyn, Sask Posts: 131	Cherokee Front Springs I decided to throw the dice and swapped my cut stock coils for a set of Cherokee springs. I am amazed by the difference in stored energy. I shouldn't be. The cherokee springs were 18.5 inches free length and squashed down to the perfect height. I used to be able to lift the bumper by hand an inch and now I can pull it up 5-6. I ran it last weekend with full exhaust, n/a and breathing all the hot air from under the hood and ran 13.1 @ 100 mph, the best i have ever done with out nitrous. I'm headed back to the track this weekend and am hoping for a shot of the front tires off the ground. Attached Images __________________ 85 GMC toy Lowered, newer box swap, 350 .060 over with AFR 195s, forged pistons, TCI TH350 1.83 60' 13.14 @ 100 on motor 1.49 60' 11.52 @ 116 w/150 shot 1952 Chevy truck project 1980 Z28 Camaro 1967 Camaro drag car 10.60@126

05-18-2015, 10:33 PM	#2
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cherokee Front Springs If you continue to use this spring and go faster, you will need a very good shock to control that spring. I am running in to that issue now and actually moving back to a shorter stiffer spring. My Rancho 9000's just can't keep the front end from coming up to fast. I don't want to invest in the shock now as I would like to do a full mustang 2 conversion down the road. Spending $1k on shocks twice just does not make sense. __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49

05-18-2015, 11:26 PM	#3
85_prairieboy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Glaslyn, Sask Posts: 131	Re: Cherokee Front Springs When the front end rises too fast does it unload the rear tires after the initial hit? Currently I am getting some wheelspin when I first launch and then they hook up __________________ 85 GMC toy Lowered, newer box swap, 350 .060 over with AFR 195s, forged pistons, TCI TH350 1.83 60' 13.14 @ 100 on motor 1.49 60' 11.52 @ 116 w/150 shot 1952 Chevy truck project 1980 Z28 Camaro 1967 Camaro drag car 10.60@126

05-18-2015, 11:40 PM	#4
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cherokee Front Springs Take a close look at the videos I posted in this thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=670129 This was last weekend. You can see it lifts both fronts. When it is coming down, it unloads the rear tire about 10-15' out. If I had a shock that could slow the rise, it would definitely help. The options I have are 1) try to add more add more power, which might carry the wheelie further and still have the issue or 2) slow the rise. __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49

05-18-2015, 11:53 PM	#5
85_prairieboy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Glaslyn, Sask Posts: 131	Re: Cherokee Front Springs Wow I see what you mean, I am going to try get some good video like that to see what is going on __________________ 85 GMC toy Lowered, newer box swap, 350 .060 over with AFR 195s, forged pistons, TCI TH350 1.83 60' 13.14 @ 100 on motor 1.49 60' 11.52 @ 116 w/150 shot 1952 Chevy truck project 1980 Z28 Camaro 1967 Camaro drag car 10.60@126

05-19-2015, 01:32 PM	#7
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cherokee Front Springs I have Rancho 9000's mounted in the stock 1963 location which is the back side of the control arm. I no longer have them mounted to the frame the way they were from the factory. I welded a couple ears that sit above the frame rail. I would be interested in them. __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49

05-19-2015, 03:42 PM	#8
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Cherokee Front Springs I used the 9-11" QA1 promastars on mine, with a similar setup and I'm pretty dang happy about the way it controls the front. If your tabs are higher, they may still work for you, but QA1 makes a step longer which are like 10.25-13 stroke which would make up the height difference if you needed to. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

05-19-2015, 08:09 PM	#9
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cherokee Front Springs Thing is the Rancho does a fine job at 1.5ish 60's and slower. I have almost 8" of front suspension travel (shock sees roughly 4"). Combo works fine on motor, but on the bottle, it just had to much pretty foe l for the spring shock combo I have. I really need to go double adjustable with a real good shock. __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49

05-20-2015, 01:06 AM	#10
85_prairieboy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Glaslyn, Sask Posts: 131	Re: Cherokee Front Springs Posted via Mobile Device

05-20-2015, 01:10 AM	#11
85_prairieboy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Glaslyn, Sask Posts: 131	Re: Cherokee Front Springs Right now I have a set of Nitro drop shocks. Less than ideal. I'm going to see what happens this weekend with nitrous and if it's not good I might take you up on those 71Dragtruck Posted via Mobile Device

05-20-2015, 01:25 AM	#12
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Cherokee Front Springs The nitros are usually VERY stiff on compression and don't control lift much. In generally they leave soft and land hard, not really ideal. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

05-21-2015, 05:16 PM	#13
scatesracing Machinist Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Derby Kansas Posts: 296	Re: Cherokee Front Springs What year Cherokee springs are you guys using?

05-21-2015, 07:33 PM	#14
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cherokee Front Springs Mine were early 90's V8 grand Cherokee __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49

05-25-2015, 12:26 AM	#16
85_prairieboy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Glaslyn, Sask Posts: 131	Re: Cherokee Front Springs Yes mine were from an early 90's Grand Cherokee as well. There were 2 options and I chose the heavy duty set. $118 Canadian for a new set. I think my suspension is working ok for now. Hooked hard enough on an unprepped track to hit my head on the back window! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emAKN8888zw __________________ 85 GMC toy Lowered, newer box swap, 350 .060 over with AFR 195s, forged pistons, TCI TH350 1.83 60' 13.14 @ 100 on motor 1.49 60' 11.52 @ 116 w/150 shot 1952 Chevy truck project 1980 Z28 Camaro 1967 Camaro drag car 10.60@126

05-25-2015, 03:05 AM	#17
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cherokee Front Springs Definately transferred weight. __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49



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08-18-2015, 02:18 PM	#18
skeeterbug Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: watertown, tn Posts: 332	Re: Cherokee Front Springs Dang my luck go figure..... I have a set of front and rear springs out of a yj that i used the rear springs for lowering springs back in the day before going coilover rear. I also have the Front/ rear springs i just took off my 2013 JKU 4-door from a lift kit i just installed on it, but no Cherokee springs....crap! I wonder what the spring rates on the cherokee,...JKU springs may work, i think ill try it. I will let yall know how they work out. __________________ '71 LWB c10-"WORK" in progress 385 ci 4 bolt (4.040 bore), scat 6.0" forged h beams,scat forged crank 3.750, speed pro 5cc flat top, clevite bearings, .039 head gaskets,comp xr288hr 110* 288/294adv. 236/242@.50 555/576 lift, pbm hyd roller lifters, chad spiers 215cc imp. heads , comp 1.6 roler rockers, comp magnum push rods, edelbrock victor jr. single plane intake p&p (1206 gasket matched), quickfuel 750R DP , th 350 trans, 5.14 gear, 3000 stall 2012 best 1/8- 7.70 @ 87mph 1.70 60' (lil better) 2013 best 7.39 2014 best-7.38 New for 2013-strange rear coilovers, headman 1-3/4 headers, 5.13 r&p, .060 aluminum bed floor, 15x14 holeshots w/ 31x18.5 hoosier dot pro's, 15x4 holeshots w/ 26x5.5 m/t skinnies and 200+#'s in body weight loss & 6 point cage

10-22-2015, 11:11 PM	#19
Ont67shortbox Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 279	Re: Cherokee Front Springs will the Cherokee springs work with a BBC,or is the engine too heavy, I see everyone that tried this had a SBC,would like to heard about BBC experience

10-23-2015, 12:03 PM	#21
Ont67shortbox Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 279	Re: Cherokee Front Springs sorry, LS and SBC guys,no offence intended, just want to know if this is worth trying with a BB

10-23-2015, 12:45 PM	#22
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Cherokee Front Springs Get the front end weighed and you will likely have your answer. But if I had to guess, I think it will be on the bump stops __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49

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