mmm vatiivas. Its definitely a tire that isnt talked about much but I would love to run them. Was going to pick up a set last year but got the mt/r instead and regretted it. Next new set will most likely be the vatiiva

Good build so far!

 

How loud are the tires on the road?

 

I am new to this forum. I am looking for a XJ right now and this is the lift I want to install. I really like your ride. I helped do a 4.5 lift on my uncle's XJ this year from Rough Country and the bug bit me. Do you notice much more roll in curves since you installed the RE 3.5? I know it will change some. Also how does it so off-road with the 31's? Thanks.

 

When the Vatiivas were brand new, they were about twice as loud as my BFG All Terrain TA/KOs. But now that they are broken in, I don't even notice them anymore. I am amazed by these tires, I have gone through snow that was 3 feet deep and they just cut right through it like it's not even there. I have never owned tires this good in winter conditions.

I thought I would notice some added roll, but the Jeep is solid around corners. Truth is, it rides better than stock with this lift. Those Old Man EMU shocks are worth every penny and the Rubicon Express leaf and coil springs are top notch.

The 31s are fine for what I do, you could easily fit 32s or possibly even 33s with this lift, I have lots of room. Might need some trimming for 33s though.

 

Dud you do a transfer case drop or is it unessesary with the SYE kit?

 

I am not a mechanic so I am having trouble understanding what happened here. You said the front differential got off by an inch during the lift install.

Isn't the differential the pumpkin shaped gear box on the front/rear axles? If that is what I am thinking then your front axle got shifted over an inch while you had everything apart?

If I am thinking about this right, it seems like the front end parts, shocks, springs, sway links, etc., would not have lined up right enough to the point where it would have been noticeable. How would the axle move like that?

IDK. Like I said, I think I am not understanding exactly what happened. Please explain. Thanks.

 

the trac bar is what causes that, the stock one is too short and it pulls the axle to one side, usually the driver side, my jeep was like that for awhile until i got my new rustys trac bar

 

So make sure I get a new track bar when I lift the jeep and then immediately get a front end alignment? Will that prevent that problem?

Did that cause your differential to blow out like EvilMasters?

Thanks.

 

Sweet lift Evilmaster i am looking at the same lift for my 98 xj i dont live to far from u im in North Bay so what was ur cost with shipping for your lift components form the states caus i was lookin at Just Jeeps in T O at the superflex kit with no shocks for $860.
Hows that compare?

 

I think I've found my Cherokees twin, at least with your before pic.

Nice work so far, it looks awesome. Perhaps someday my Jeep will grow up and look like yours.

 

The lift was priced as follows.

Rubicon Express
RE6025 SuperRide lift with Adjustable superflex control arm upgrade - $624.95
RE1467 Degree Shims 2.5" x 4 Degree - $32.95
RE1600 Adjustable Track Bar - $164.95
RE1807 SYE Kit - $99.95
RE1898-335 CVF Driveshaft - $309.95
Shipping - $395.00

Total: $1627.75

Then I also needed some stuff from quadratec.com

OME-SD40 Old Man EMU Nitrocharger Steering Stabilizer - $73.99
OME-N36L Old Man EMU Rear Shocks - $165.98
OME-N35L Old Man EMU Front Shocks - $165.98
55010-104 32 Tooth Speedometer Gear - $99.97
Shipping - $77.00

Total: $582.92


The reason I paid $395 for the rubicon express shipping was because I over nighted it. So it cost more. Normal shipping would have been around $90 bucks.


As an update...The lift is still rock solid. The front end on my jeep still feels tight like a new truck. No sag at all, no reduction in lift height at all yet. It's still perfect in every way. I am still very very happy with my kit. And I'm loving all the deep snow to play around in this year.

 

I guess it's time for a little update. Since my last appearance in this thread, I have done quite a bit of stuff to my Jeep.

I upgraded the brakes all around including Rotors, Drums, Pads, Shoes, Calipers, Spring kits. All Baer and they work fantastic. I even took the time to give the drums and calipers a nifty Por-15 paint job to keep them pretty.







I also installed an upgraded sound system with a boom-box in the hatch.





10" Bazooka tube. This thing sounds surprisingly good. And the install was literally 30 minutes. I suggest you buy the upgraded chrome mounting kit as the little vinyl straps that come with it are useless. I like stuff to be done right, that chrome mounting kit should have came with the subwoofer.

I also added the remote gain control box to the bazooka tube. Again, this thing should have came with the subwoofer. But they just want to upsell I guess. I just stuck it in the ashtray until I figure out how and where I want to mount it.



I also added a cool Alpine head unit that uses a USB thumb drive for my tunes. It sounds awesome and the USB stick is so much more convenient than carrying CD's around. The thumb drive is 16gb and only about an inch long since I took the dremel mototool and hacked off about an inch of it.



I added an auto-dimming rear view mirror out of an 02 WJ. Wired it up and it works great.



I also took out a can of por-15 gloss black and crawled under my jeep for a little clean up. Painted all the floor boards and trailer hitch and diffs and tow hooks and anything else that needed a touch up. POR-15 is like a miracle paint, it hardens like steel and lasts a helluva long time. Great stuff.



Other mods I did include the following.

- Rebuilt the front drive shaft. All new u-joints.

- Repaired the broken drivers seat. Welded it in three places and put in some bolts and custom made heavy steel brackets. It'll never break again. That's for sure.

- Installed zone offroad heavy duty spring retainer clamps to keep the front coils in place. The stock clamps are trash. These zone offroad clamps are built pretty good. They should do the job.

- A new windshield. (Friggin transports!)


I also ordered a "cargo caddy" for the hatch. I got it in black with matching black carpet in the interior of the drawer. It should be here in a couple weeks as they are built to order. I'll give you guys a review of it once I check it out. I ordered it from https://michianaels.com for $219.00.





And last but not least, I just picked up a full set of seats from the same 2002 WJ that I got my mirror from. Black leather, heated and power. I'll be installing those in a couple weeks and will give you guys a full write up on the install and how I like them.



Oh yeah, and today I installed some hidden kill switches for the fuel pump and ignition. It was a piece of cake and now you would have to be a psychic to be able to get my jeep started.

 

How is the height of the WJ seats compared to the XJ seats? Are they by any chance lower? I'm a tall guy and I would like to get my head to stop rubbing the head liner when I sit up.

 

Is that really a MOPAR CAI or did u just stick a sticker on there?

 

if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for the lift and suspension steering stabilizer etc( not including muffler, breaks, car remote) . i was thinking about getting a lift for my 97 xj and i like the set up you had