My 1990 XJ currently has a 3" lift on it (New front springs and rear leafs). Im looking to add a 2" spacer in the front and a 2" longer shackle in the back. What do I need to but to make the XJ run smooth. I was told that i should get a drop pitman arm and track bar but is that all? Also, since there are after market LCAs, i was thinking about getting a control arm drop kit like this...
http://www.rocky-road.com/xjcad.html
Does anyone have any experience with this setup?
Thanks

 

If you dont have a SYE you are going to want to get one. Also look into RC or RE drop brackets instead of the ones that you depicted as they are a bit better quality.

 

Did you have the spacers and shackles already picked out? If not you might consider the revolver shackles they help with flex more than regular parallel shackles. Another point would be that you might need shims for the rear axle too. You are OK at 3" but a 2" addition may cause some alignment problems with the rear differential. Just things to consider.

 

Forget the DPA idea. You will also need an adj tracbar.

 

Good catch there Kyle. I was thinking about the adjustable trackbar but forgot it by the time I got to the end of my post.
Dropped pitman arm is almost always a bad idea on an XJ.
Blue

 

Why the heck do they make the drop pitman arm?? I talk to so many and they all say XJ's have no use for em....

 

I was wondering what about those gave you the idea that the quality is sub-par?? I was looking at them and think they would work better for me since they dont mount to the crossmember, as mine has been modified. I'm on the fench as far as LA kit or drop brackets. I like what my XJ will do now and don't know if LAs are even worth the money if DBs will do the trick, huge coooool factor though!! Thanks for the help!!

 

DPA would come into play at about 8+" of lift from what I've heard, could be wrong though, it's happened before!!LOL!! I don't have a monster XJ, maybe someone that does, can tell us the deal with the DPAs!! Peace out!!

 

Yeah that's what I gather as well. 8" or higher and then you would probably need ram steering to turn 42" tires and not tear the steering box out of the frame too. So a DPA might come into play to get the angles on the draglink somewhat flatter.

 

Blue did you mean Boomerang shackles, instead of Revolvers. Revolvers are dangerous on road and can unload on hills.

 

Yes thank you xjjeepthing that's exactly what I meant. Glad you caught that.

 

They make drop pitman arms for drop trackbar brackets. Once you drop one of those (pitman or trackbar) you gotta do the other.

 

So, in your opinions, I should or should not install a drop pitman arm? I am looking to purchase everything I need in the next week or so. Im not brand specific either. Im looking for cheap price yet quality so I'll end up building a Frankenjeep. Also, any links to sights would he extremly helpful.

 

What's your plans for a trackbar? Getting one or not? Are you getting an adjustable one or drop bracket? What you do with your trackbar will tell you what to do with the pitman arm. Some trackbar kits, like RE's, have drop brackets plus the adjustable trackbar and you will need a pitman arm then. If it's just an adjustable trackbar like JKS, superlift, teraflex, 4wd hardware, etc then you won't need a drop pitman arm. These just bolt up like the stock one does and there is no drop.

 

Thanks for the insite muddeprived. Looks like I'll probably be going with the JKS adjustable trackbar. What about the CA drop bracket I listed earlier.Kyle said that they dont look too good and I was wondering is someone could let me know why? Also. I have stock UCAs. When I get the lift, will I need to get new ones? And is there a certain length the control arms need to be in relation to the lift?

Thanks again.