Some lift questions. She needs to remain streetable.
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Some lift questions. She needs to remain streetable.
I've been reading the board for a while now and have done searches, but my search abilities are not good.
I just bought my fourth cherokee and had plans to lift it big and buy a cheap rice burner to commute to work (almost two hours a day). Long story short, I got real lucky and found a cherokee in immaculate condition. It has low miles and everything is either new, or in pristine condition. It was at the dealer every 3000 miles and had one female owner. Anyway, I decided it's too nice to destroy in the woods. I'm going to use this new one as a daily driver and buy another cherokee to lift for the trails. However, it does need to be beefed up at least a little bit.
Keep in mind that I'm looking to keep the factory ride, or close to it.
This is kind of a two part question... First off, the lift. After searching around quite a bit, it seems like the 2" Old Man Emu with full leaf packs is a good way to go. I do NOT want any spacers or add-a-anything... Is OME the way to go? Is there a better kit I'm not aware of? Are there other lifts that don't have a bone jarring ride?
The second is the tires. Most importantly, what can I fit under a 2" lift? Will 31"s fit with NO rubbing at all? And while on the subject of tires, are the Super Swamper radial SSRs good on the road? Okay in rain? Not too noisy?
Gentleman, thanks for any input. Here's a pic of it as it stands right now. All I've done so far is the stereo system and sand blasted and painted a set of wheels I had. Sorry for the grainy phone pic.
I just bought my fourth cherokee and had plans to lift it big and buy a cheap rice burner to commute to work (almost two hours a day). Long story short, I got real lucky and found a cherokee in immaculate condition. It has low miles and everything is either new, or in pristine condition. It was at the dealer every 3000 miles and had one female owner. Anyway, I decided it's too nice to destroy in the woods. I'm going to use this new one as a daily driver and buy another cherokee to lift for the trails. However, it does need to be beefed up at least a little bit.
Keep in mind that I'm looking to keep the factory ride, or close to it.
This is kind of a two part question... First off, the lift. After searching around quite a bit, it seems like the 2" Old Man Emu with full leaf packs is a good way to go. I do NOT want any spacers or add-a-anything... Is OME the way to go? Is there a better kit I'm not aware of? Are there other lifts that don't have a bone jarring ride?
The second is the tires. Most importantly, what can I fit under a 2" lift? Will 31"s fit with NO rubbing at all? And while on the subject of tires, are the Super Swamper radial SSRs good on the road? Okay in rain? Not too noisy?
Gentleman, thanks for any input. Here's a pic of it as it stands right now. All I've done so far is the stereo system and sand blasted and painted a set of wheels I had. Sorry for the grainy phone pic.
#2
Registered Users
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: morrisonville ny
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
1 Post
Year: 2000 @ 1994 givin away
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ome or bds are good lifts and for street tires I would go with bfg all terrians good for all weather and mild dirt, very nice xj , I would just run 30 inch tires less hassle and no worries about rubbing at all .
Last edited by rich; 07-25-2010 at 07:32 AM.
#3
CF Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: corpus christi, texas
Posts: 2,004
Received 40 Likes
on
35 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
i would go with the ome lift, just because i have an ome 2.5" on the wife's liberty and it rides nicer then stock.
i agree on the bfg all terrains. i had them on a trooper2 and never had an issue with anything
i agree on the bfg all terrains. i had them on a trooper2 and never had an issue with anything
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6ho
OME for sure.
I've been running OME for almost 10 years now.
From what I have read (4x4 magazine), BDS rides a little rough.
If it's going to be a daily driver why not just throw some quality all terrains on it in the 30x9.5 size. You know they will fit the newer body style, and they will be better on gas (daily driver) than a 10.5" tire, and will keep the gearing closer to stock... again, in the intrest of mpg.
BTW, nice rig... I love silver.
I've been running OME for almost 10 years now.
From what I have read (4x4 magazine), BDS rides a little rough.
If it's going to be a daily driver why not just throw some quality all terrains on it in the 30x9.5 size. You know they will fit the newer body style, and they will be better on gas (daily driver) than a 10.5" tire, and will keep the gearing closer to stock... again, in the intrest of mpg.
BTW, nice rig... I love silver.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Austin, TX/ Atlanta, GA
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
go with a 3" lift from rustys or if you want to spend a little extra cash you can get the rough country series 2 kit with the performance 2.2 shocks and full leaf packs and have a GREAT riding kit that will last a good while!! and then get some 31" tires...thats what i just ordered!
Trending Topics
#8
CF Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: corpus christi, texas
Posts: 2,004
Received 40 Likes
on
35 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
i have the rough country series 2 lift and its rough. not stock at all. i like it but it is totally not as smooth as stock and the wife has commented on it
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
If it's going to be a daily driver why not just throw some quality all terrains on it in the 30x9.5 size. You know they will fit the newer body style, and they will be better on gas (daily driver) than a 10.5" tire, and will keep the gearing closer to stock... again, in the intrest of mpg.
BTW, nice rig... I love silver.
Well it will be off road at times, it just won't be off roading, if that makes sense. I'll be pulling a double quad trailer into the woods, heading to the mountains when it snows, etc. It needs a more aggressive stance Also, I need to do shocks and some bushings anyway. May as well pop in springs while I'm under it.
I'll probably back up the lift with rear airbags for towing.
So 31's will fit under a 2" lift then?
Last edited by jigly; 07-25-2010 at 01:27 PM.
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
go with a 3" lift from rustys or if you want to spend a little extra cash you can get the rough country series 2 kit with the performance 2.2 shocks and full leaf packs and have a GREAT riding kit that will last a good while!! and then get some 31" tires...thats what i just ordered!
I've been in jeeps with rough country lifts. No offense, but they suck on the road.
#11
CF Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L with throttle body spacer and cold air intake, bored throttle body, #784 injector upgrade
Rubicon Express 3.5" super ride or super flex. It fits 31" tires with very little rubbing. Invest in adjustable track bar. For Tires I would go with Good year wrangler Duratrac. I have the RE superflex and it rides pretty nice and looks close to stock... my two cents. I have pic's in my album of mine so you can see.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Austin, TX/ Atlanta, GA
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
its a jeep. its not supposed to be a cadilac. but when you lift a jeep it is not going to ride well at all unless you just put spacers in there and get ome shocks. bc no other shocks really give you an on road feel. they are mostly meant for off road.
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
#15
I had a 2008 Grand Chero i bought brand new and it felt like i was riding in a four horse wagon. I am just saying don't expect these things to ride good. No reason for you to go off and get a attitude. Cyber bullying never gets you anywhere.