its time to lift my cherokee. this is what i have so far, 2000 cherokee classic d30/8.25 with 3.55 gears. im running rubicon rims with 245/75/16 mtr

im looking at the rc series 2 3". my buddies are telling me to go higher . so i was looking at the rc 4.5 lift but i will have to get new rims and tires as well and possible a sye and the list goes on. i have been researching all much needed parts.

if i go 4.5" lift the kit, woud have to get rims($280) 32-33" tires($700) not including sye and adj track bar. and re-gearing front and rear

my dilemma is, its my dd and i drive 40mi round trip to work, take the kids back and fourth to school as well, plus any other driving that i do

im leaning more to the 3" lift so i can keep my rims and tires for now and still be reasonable on gas as well, and as time goes on get more better parts, its more of a dd than a hardcore wheeler but occasionally go wheeling.

asking your opnion and pics are welcome.

im also considering piecing a 4" together with a bastard pack

 

If you really want the 4.5" kit you can do it cheap by going rough country x series which has adj. trac bar and new steel brake lines. Use CL for tires and keep the rims cause they look awesome on lifted xj's then go iron rock offroad hack and tap sye. Decently affordable and once you get more cash up you can re-gear to gain back any lost mpg's

 

Trim the fenders, stay at the same height.

 

I have the RC 4.5 lift and don't have a sye....no vibes either. Its a 2000. As for the tires see if you can find used, I did. 200 bucks 4 bfg km2 mtz. 32 1150 15. I am looking into regearing though

 

Actually I agree with this. If you have younger kids and drive them around it's going to be nearly impossible for them to get in and out on their own with a 4.5" lift.

 

I had 32's with no lift for a while...I dd my unit. It worked great. It's ok to cut your jeep.

 

Trim your fenders and ill buy your flares and end caps. We both win

 

As far as staying at stock height and trimming so the kiddos have an easier time, it really depends on how old they are. My buddy's 2 kids love wheeling with me and they're still pretty little but they can get in mine (4.5") just fine.

As for lift size, I started with a 3" and 31's and really enjoyed it but found myself wantin that extra 1.5" pretty quickly. I would say to 4.5" and see if you have vibes. If you do, just do a tcase drop until you can afford a SYE or HnT.

No matter what you do lift wise, keep your current rims and tires. Moabs look really nice on our XJ's . 31's will look a little small on 4.5", but either run them until you actually need new tires or can find a good deal on a set of either 285/75/16's or 305/70/16's.

 

I prefer a low center of gravity. So I would go with 2-3" lift. Cut fender with new flairs. JMO!

 

i am definitely not cutting my fenders. i like the way they look right now. if i did a 4.5 " lift and kept the same rims i would probably go with a 265-75-16 tire. thats a 31.5" tire, depending on the tire tread and im sure they will tuck real well during flex.

i was considering going with 15x8 black rims with 32-33" tires so i dont scratch the moabs. but i guess for now i can always run the moabs. i was tossing the idea around to run the moabs in town and get a set of rims and tires to switch out when im wheeling that way i can get the best of both worlds. i could run a nice all terrain for dd and run mudders on wheeling.

my daughters are 4.5yrs and a 1 yrs old and i have to lift both in the jeep now the way it sits.

 

I got the RC 3" with new leafs. Netted about 4" of lift tho. I cut my fenders and run 32" tires with rub only when I flex and turn. If you wanna keep it cheap and easy for now I'd say go with the 3" then you can always add coil spacers, shackles etc if you want more lift later. 3" lift with your tires and rims would be perfect for your rig if you don't wanna sink too much money into it yet.

 

I started with a 3" RC lift with 31s, I am now in the progress of going to 4.5" of lift and 33s and mine is my DD!!

I think a 4.5 SA kit is a good level, but depends where you wheel!!

 

It should be mentioned, going with a bigger tire will almost certainly require regearing, espically for a DD. This will add significant cost. I believe that a lower lift (BB or 3") and running the same size tires you have will still provide great off roading fun and challenges, and you could probably keep your stock gearing and ride.

 

Ehh 3" and 31" is easily doable with stock drivetrain

 

definitely keep the wheels! I'd say think long and hard about what you actually want. sure you can get a 3" and be happy for ehhh... lets say 2 months then youll just want to go higher. but going with 3" you're obviously going to save money. so it depends on what you want and what your wallet can handle. enjoy!