Jeep Cherokee Bastard Pack Part 1 - Making the Pack

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In this video I'll show you how to make a bastard pack leaf spring for your jeep cherokee using leaves from a chevrolet s-10. This combo can be combined for anywhere from a 2 inch lift up to a four inch lift. then with the addition of shackles and lift blocks you can achieve any ride height desired!
The leaves I used were from an s10 truck 2wd. I don't think the year matters but I'm not sure about the 4wd??
Disclaimer - This product is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, cherokee, wrangler, or any jeep vehicle. May be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the ride has come to a complete stop. Studies have shown viewing these videos causes increased cancer risks in laboratory test people. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction strictly prohibited. Driver does not carry cash. Objects in jeep mirrors may be farther than they appear.

[@Scablands_Scavenger]

Awesome channel man, I just sold my TJ to get back into an XJ, I need more Utility than the TJ gives. Have found a lot of useful info here. I Just have to go pick one out now LOL, thanks man !!

[@bleepinjeep]

sure, maybe it will be softer too. Put it on and then if you need more lift get some shackles to get the right height.

[@bleepinjeep]

I prefer coils up front and springs in the rear especially for the XJ. Coils front and rear are very flexy but tend to be very unstable.

[@trent1234108]

great video. ive been watching videos all morning about how to install an add a leaf. this is the only one that really helped me!

[@lucianfrederick6007]

i guess I am kind of off topic but does anybody know a good place to stream newly released series online ?

[@karsynalexzander2790]

@Lucian Frederick Flixportal :)

[@lucianfrederick6007]

@Karsyn Alexzander thanks, signed up and it seems like a nice service :) Appreciate it !

[@karsynalexzander2790]

@Lucian Frederick No problem :D

[@EvanMoon]

8:17 This video really lifted up my thoughts

[@madmechanix4962]

Great video!!!i will do this today!! Thanks for the upload!!

[@bleepinjeep]

You can use a front driveshaft but only after you install the SYE. As a temp solution you can cut, sleeve and weld your current driveshaft to fit.

[@codycropper5488]

thats a cute pack, i took mine off an old j10 and chevy blazer, it made about a 5 inch lift, no blocks, no extended shackles, totals at 6 leafs on each side, its a stout jeep ill tell ya that!

[@dkhill27]

Great video Matt. I cracked up when i saw you "butt" drilling that leaf spring lol. Keep up the good work my friend

[@mikerod7723]

Thanks going do this to my ford ranger my leafs are shot and your vid was great help! I'm going to use Ford Explorer leaves & it will be better towing/ hauling fire wood.

[@bleepinjeep]

yes, for sure!

[@bleepinjeep]

I guess we'll see. When the weight of the jeep is on it, it pretty much makes contact with the overload spring... so it will only be sticking out when flexed in a droop.

[@phantomwalker8251]

i stuk 1976,7,8,9,. f100 leafs,in my bronco,raised it 2"..$200,& 2hrs.bronco leafs were like parabolics,de bent.

[@bleepinjeep]

Dodge durango or dakota, I forget... basically anything that is the same width. And yes, more leaves = bigger lift= rougher ride.

[@Abernathy1162]

Very Cool! great job, Matt

[@bleepinjeep]

A full Size Jeep will be totally different. I'm not sure what will work for you but look for springs the same width with more arch.

[@pululo98]

Great,Great tutorial video thanks a lot very, very helpful keep it up.

[@bleepinjeep]

I'm pretty sure I used a 94 s-10 for the donor, and yes the rear leafs, I think the front is probably IFS.

[@emmanuelfernandez1238]

I followed your video and it turned out great thanks

[@franciscorojas274]

What year s10 leaf did you use?

[@jeepcollector91]

I know it wont be as bad with the weight of the vehicle on it but on the '96 S-10 I used to drive, the overload spring was still about an inch from making contact at the ends unless loaded down. That inch can make the difference between clearing something or hanging up on something. I'm sure the back of the XJ is heavier so maybe it will be fine. It was just something to think about and keep an eye on. Keep up the great work. Thanks.

[@bleepinjeep]

sounds good if it'll work

[@djalienjunkie]

great vid, but wear your safty glasses when cutting or grinding. love your vids, always helpful

[@bleepinjeep]

I believe any s-10 will worked. The ones I found were on a 94 truck.

[@jakematthews6982]

if I could make a suggestion, a great way to keep the leaf pack from squeaking is to cut a small piece of a liquid laundry detergent bottle and place it between any 2 leafs that are metal to metal. it's not too thick and it works really well.

[@AMavridesR]

or... you use use leaf spring pads

[@bldeagle10]

I put leaf packs out of a 96 s10 in my 99 XJ. Didn't do a bastard pack, just straight swap and I got 5" of lift.so I need to take out a leaf or two and swap them around to get the 3-3.5" that I want

[@grndragon2443]

will leaving the overload spring in reduce your articulation much? and does the over load add much to your height?

[@bleepinjeep]

I need all I can get!

[@skuhl2002]

Great video ! On the two inch combo option, you said you get "about two inches" Is that typically just under 2" or do you find it to be on the plus side. Ideally I'm trying to hit 2.5"

[@bleepinjeep]

they are pretty rough but my shocks still need to be replaced so I'm not sure how much that will help.

[@timothythomas1345]

What type of bolt is recommended for the pin ? Is there any special steel hardness ? or type ? If the s-10 bolt needed cut off for instance .

[@oef82]

good how to man! thanks for taking the time to make er. what bit were u using to bore out the hole?

[@austinpowers1514]

Great video

[@bumsmodified98xj]

Nice job well done

[@bleepinjeep]

This pack was 3 1/4" but Ive only done one side so far...

[@bleepinjeep]

Gotta cover my bases!

[@dakotamorris50]

Love the video, great guidelines and instructions. I wish you would get ahold of a zj jeep grand cherokee!!!!! There's no tips for them on KZbin:(

[@bleepinjeep]

10-4. I have also seen people leave the overload spring off but some say that it will invert and wear prematurely if you do that... I guess only time will tell.

[@bleepinjeep]

Safe as a Smart car in rush hour!

[@fredrikjonsson4948]

LOL ! Thats some disclaimer you got there ! Awsome vid btw ! Abaot to do the same thing to my XJ !

[@bleepinjeep]

I cracked up when I read this comment;) Never thought of it that way!

[@bleepinjeep]

yep, many supple iterations

[@Asianredneckoutdoors]

Now I have a yj. Would this pack still work with the front end? I know it’ll work with the rear because you just did it. But thinking the springs in the front would be different and I would be using 2 sets of rear leaf springs in a s10 as I never heard of a s10 with a front axle.

[@lol123321123321]

Excellent video! I bought RE full length 2.5in add a leafs, basically the same as 1 full length s-10 leaf and i got about 4in of lift. 1 year later and i still have about 4. I think the pack you just made would easily be over 3in??

[@bleepinjeep]

A broken one, my bits never seem to stay sharp. But I believe it needs to be 3/8ths.

[@topwebz]

I am wanting to get some new leaf springs, and the arch is confusing . The aftermarket ones I want only have a 0.75 difference between stock. 7 1/2 arch vs 8 1/4 inches. How much will 0.75 inches arch affect ride height, or driving? Appreciate your time.

[@sephramey6489]

I did the bastard lift to mine. Used the xj main, eliminated the S10 main. Used the rest of pack bumped it up 4-5 inches. I didn't want that much lift. Now gotta take back apart and remove some.

[@bleepinjeep]

Did you use a 2wd s10?

[@sephramey6489]

BleepinJeep you know honestly I don't know. All I know they was off s10. I see what you're saying, if the 4x4 s10. That would explain why so tall.

[@mitchellstump6730]

How well would an S-10 fit a YJ or maybe off a ranger or something? What would you recommend scraping off of for a YJ I guess is the main question lol. Thanks for all the awesome vids.

[@terrinewman7390]

I have '95 yj with a broken main leaf so what leaf other leaf could I replace it with? one sells just the single leaf or one spring pack only except new!

[@Ruinedulac]

Hey man both my rear leaf are sagging they are almost reversed lol. Can i stil take my main xj leaf to fit on s10 leaf if its in good shape, will it affect lift heigt??

[@bleepinjeep]

I believe an year s-10 will work. just look for one that hasnt been wrecked or used and abused.

[@richardmiller1256]

"Just wack it off at the proper length" Great video. Going to do something similar with my YJ.

[@pathutt9122]

Well I'm tight on money. And I just like the idea. I just wanted to know if you knew what leaf spring would fit a yj.

[@bleepinjeep]

Hmm, Sorry I cant say either. I dont know a thing about S-10's. If you can find one at a junkyard take a look at the two and compare. I would be willing to bet they dont get the additional lift from taller springs as they are already arched very high on a regular s-10. They might put them over the axle but maybe someone else who has one can say for sure.

[@Ladysman_217]

What if you take off that helper/overload leaf? Wouldn't you end up with about 2.5 with a full pack?

[@bleepinjeep]

I guess you could but I doubt it would do much if anything. Many people run this setup without the overload spring but that can lead to inverting the spring causing premature wear.

[@TexasRedneck]

remeber that heat on the leaf springs can cause them to loose their springyness, lack of a better term. When I cut my eyelits off, I borrowed a plasma cutter, made the quick cut and then put it right into water to cool. After 9 years, its time to do it again.

[@jaybourbon8608]

Great video I have been looking to make these for my 01 XJ. So I found a set of S10 leafs from a 98 at my local Junk Yard the guy said he has 3 leaf, from a 2wd, and 4 leaf for a 4WD s10. Which one would be better? How many leafs are needed? I am going for a 3" lift. Also what year s10's will work? Thank you for your time, and keep up the videos!

[@jaybourbon8608]

Hey man take some time to reply to your followers.. How about telling us what type of drill bits to use? I went through 6 of them nothing will drill through these dam springs.

[@davidalday7539]

Hey so if i add a rubicon 4.5 coils for front will it level out or will the motor weight level it out

[@bleepinjeep]

No but it sounds like an interesting project! Let us know if you try it and how much it ends up costing compared to an atlas or something like that.

[@dokyaraujo]

Thanks again. I have an articulated shackle, but I can´t get it to totally open. I´m guessing it might be the leaf springs or the front mount.

[@king21w48]

how do you figure out how much of a lift you will get from adding leafs? i want to add leafs to the front of my truck so i can fit 34s under it ( will go taller as the kids get bigger)

[@jamesgoodine]

Geeze man I'm glad you posted this vid been contemplating on what to do this spring and you made up my mind now that I understand the whole bastard pack thing one quests I have is my Cherokee already had a three inch lift installed and thought it had different springs than stock but its still got a saggy ass. Will this still work if they're aftermarket and week?

[@bleepinjeep]

Im pretty sure some people use ford springs , not sure which model but the springs are suppose to be pretty stiff.

[@j_f82]

Hi there bleepin jeep I have a quick question. I'm thinking of doing the bastard pack on my 96 xj and I have a 2000 Chevy blazer sitting in the backyard would it work to get about 3inches of lift ? I measured the width and they do match up but I haven't seen much info on using a newer model blazer for this. It's a 4x4 blazer also. Any help would b greatly appreciated love your channel and will be watching more and you have another like. Thanks man

[@timothythomas1345]

Brother If I only want 2 to 3 inch max lift . What tips could I use to still use S-10 SPRINGS ?

[@pathutt9122]

I like this idea. Much cheaper than 800 bucks haha. I have a 94 yj-s . My leaf springs are shot and rusted. Also I need new shocks haha. What kinda leaf springs should I get to raise my yj 2 inches? Amt help would be great!

[@erickrodriguez6927]

HELLO just wanted to say GREAT VIDEO. but i hade a question.. what exact year did you take the s10 leafs out of and was it a 4wd or 2wd thanks.

[@coltonarnett7650]

what size of centering pin did your use? I bought a 5/16 centering pin and i dont know if it will work for my ranger leaves. any insight?

[@abrahamgonzalezavila7862]

tengo los de un ranger 05,, cres que se pueda usa???? como los del s10

[@tk429]

How does the pack flex with the overload spring in place?

[@1980wagoneer]

I want to do this to my wagoneer but I don't know if the s-10 leaf pack will work or do you think I should go with a full-size truck pack?

[@nikolasmonteiro4703]

If I am going to do a 4" lift on my Jeep Cherokee XJ what springs would I put together for the S10 bastard pack. Also what size drop kit would I need for the transfer case.

[@bleepinjeep]

2wd s10 and a 1/2" block. Then an sye

[@bleepinjeep]

I believe it was a 94' 2wd

[@itscomplicated22]

do you plan on doing an elliptical suspension? like 3/4, 1/4 elliptical

[@Vcoldduck]

Why did you get leafs off a newer Cher. if your using a complete set of S-10's?

[@bleepinjeep]

you are looking for the correct width and pin position.

[@rayvortines]

are the old jeep xj 91 reliable? how many miles will they last? thanks!

[@garysmart1]

hey man can you reply what does it do when you add another leaf spring, by the way do you have video how to remove this thing out form the truck? 8:17 ohh yeah baby keep it going

[@tompkinsmostorsports]

hey I got a question. I bought a set of leaf springs off a guy and he said they were 3.5 inch from Rubicon express. I looked at the number on leaf spring and it is a 5.5 inch lift. the pack I have has 7 leafs and all the other packs I have seen online are 6 packs. is there away to check or turn it to a 3.5 inch lift

[@1980wagoneer]

Thanks for the advise.

[@israelmarquez1515]

same method for ranger springs? cant find much info on it. cant find any good s10 springs but i found a ranger with similar springs. let me know please TY

[@dokyaraujo]

Great Video. What about articulation. Will this improve your aticulation?

[@DanielPace92]

Most likely a 3/8ths, that the one the s10 spring need. (best to have a new/sharp one or you'll be around for a while trying to drill through that spring steel, not fun.) I have a s10 Bastard Pack on my XJ. One of the best thing I've ever done to it. I ended up with about 5" when I did my Bastard Pack, still want a little higher though.

[@bleepinjeep]

first you need to find out if those are lifted springs or not. It will work with lifted springs too but theres no telling how much lift you'll end up with....

[@tccantrell21]

would it be beneficial to do coils in the rear or would it just be super expensive with not much results?

[@duanealbers7175]

Why no spacer between cherokee and s10 upper springs like all the s10 spring. .?

[@bryanroupe8646]

Will this work on a 93-98 grand Cherokee? Wssnt my first choice for a bigger but I got it cheap. Also what year s10 do those packs come from ? Also are the Cherokee front coil spring pucks the same a grand Cherokees ? Thanks in advance. Never really messes with these things.

[@ryangassett7931]

What if you were to add the second biggest leaf off the cherokees pack to the setup you did? (lift size)

[@CrDmma33]

hey quick question, would i be abe to use s-10 leafs for a late 80's ranger? looking to do this kind on lift with coil spacer in the front

[@reponut12345]

Dorman Help! 35619 leaf spring spring u bolts worked good on my 98 with the 8.25 , My original ones were too short

[@SebastianLong]

I got a question. And i am not sure which way to go about doing it. I have a 2000 jeep cherokee with 8 inches of lift. The rear end sits a little low. I'm looking for about 2 inches more lift in the rear to make it at least look level. Should i add a leaf, or get longer shackles. I am really trying to avoid blocks at all means. And i dont think they produce shackles the lenght i need, at least not that i have seen.

[@Green97XJ]

Mercury cougar coils are an option for that. Bleepin Jeep, could you substitute the Smallest XJ leaf with the overload spring on the S10 pack?

[@bleepinjeep]

8 inches is too high in my opinion but I'd go with a 1 1/2" block if you must and call it a day. Or you could just add a heavy bumper;)

[@jxw457]

okay, so i have a 99 xj classic with 3" blocks on the back and FLAT leaf springs, could I do this to mine just to add the bend and maybe 1" or so?

[@nadimfiani89]

, why didn't u use stock xj leaves to add the desired lift, is the S10 leaves will have softer ride? i got 3'' by adding xj 2 stock leaves

[@Ladysman_217]

Be more specific please

[@anthonybaker9797]

Does it matter what year of s10 or Cherokee you have ? Looking to make a set for my xj just looking for some guidance

[@josephfarrell6833]

what year S-10 leafs would i need to do this to my 87 XJ does the weight gain or stay the same as far as towing with the lift on the 3" lift

[@thea.n.c.project1557]

Is this a off-road only kind of setup? Are is it ok to daily drive you jeep with a bastard pack

[@PaYankee99]

@2:41 is there anywhere you can buy those rubber pieces that go between the leaf spring clip and the leafs? Mine fell apart....I may just buy some new clips but would like to save some money.

[@surfnugget313]

My s10 pack didnt come with plates between the leafs... should i order a couple pairs from summit? (part #DJM-1023BP)