Hello

I bought my xj about 4 months ago and the guy I got it from said it had a 3" lift. Today I finally got a tape out and it only measured 2". It has 31" tires on it so I guess technically it is a 3" lift. Anyways, I was very disappointed and I am now on a search to find out what I will need to do for a 6.5" lift with 33s and a 4.5" lift with 31s.

I don't really want to have to regear because I've heard that costs a lot and I might as well get a new axle if I do that.

My budget is $800-1500 for the lift. I do not use this as a daily driver but I would like to be able to drive it to the trails. MPG isn't a real big factor. I just don't want to go from my decent 14/15mpg to 4mpg.

I found this Rough country lift for $1400 but is there anything else I would need to do after I install the lift? Or prior to?

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-sus...t-perf618.html

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-sus...t-perf617.html

Also what is the difference in the long arm and short arm?

If I left out any info let me know.

 

Why do you want to go higher, looks? No reason to.

I am at 3"front and 4"rear. Will be dropping shortly to 2"front and 2.5"rear. I have the stock fender flares still. Awesome articulation, and locked front and rear with 33's.

Daily driver also.


So why spend the money for a huge lift?

 

Looks and more ground clearance. It looks taller than stock but I want it to be noticeably taller than stock.

Also I found out that I don't have sway bar links. I want the disco links so it would be like $100 anyway.

 

Ah well yes looks. In that case it takes money.

I don't run sway bar links, I think its not needed at all. Even if I did not off road.

 

I vote 4.5" lift with 33" tires.
Looks better than your given options, to me.

 

I can't even find the bar the links connect to. The guy I bought it from probably removed the entire bar.

I also have the death wobble. Could getting a new lift kit solve that? I know there are a million different things it could be but some lifts come with adjustable trac bars?


If I get the 4.5" lift what would be a decent brand that isn't going to be over $1500? Would I have to get anything else other than what comes in the lift kit?

 

Rubicon Express.
Get full leaf spring packs instead of an add-a-leaf.

 

This is the short arm lift? Whats the difference between this and the long arm? $400-500? Is long arm better or just something to spend more money on.

 

Yes, you would need another $1500 to dial it all in.
Like a SlipYokeEliminator. Drive-shaft, shims,
drop brackets or long arms. Replace the steering system. Raise or install the sway-bar links to clear the steering.
Tires, wheels and gears. And more.

 

You need to do what we call a " shake down"

Jack the jeep up and check everything. Tie rod end play, track bar play, ball joints, bearings, u-joints, etc..... If anything is not right it can cause poor handling. Also check the toe.

Bad tires also can cause it. Do this before you lift it. Make sure its right.

 

Well I can guaranty that my tires are bad. Lol. The front are about 1/16th from being racing slicks and the back are probably 1/8th. Plus some small cracking.
Also the tires have some weird bumps in the sides.
After reading all this stuff I have to do to get the 4.5" or more, I might just wait and buy a new XJ with it all done for a little bit more.

 

just throw some 33s on it and call it a day. You don't need 6.5" to fit em

 

6.5" comes with a lot of extra costs. Unless you plan on doing competition style wheeling, 4.5" will take you anywhere. I run 4.5 on 32s and I can go so many places. Its not all about ground clearance but also armor, tire quality, lockers etc. Lockers on a 4.5 will do more than open diffs on 6.5. Long arms give you better articulation and better ride quality. They arent a complete NECESSITY though. Before you buy just figure out the type of wheeling you want to do and go from there. Hope this helps!

 

If its ground clearance and looks your after go 4.5" lift and 35's.

 

You can run 33's on a 3 in. lift. You will need to trim & bump stop it but they fit. Looks good too.

Tall lifts & little tires look silly.