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Details ~
'96 XJ TWO Door 2WD
Mall Crawler, perhaps occasional rough dirt roads for camping
Mechanically VERY Sound 118k mi. "Butta Face" cosmetically
Recent acquisition 31in. JK Take-Offs NEW, crackhead price Moabs w/ 17" GY Wrangler SR-As
Recent acquisition Wrangler Rubicon Red shocks, brake lines, springs, fr. LCAs, crackhead price
Wheel adapters ... 1.25" 5x4.5 to 5x5 OE Studs too short. Longer OE studs ordered
Dilemmas~
Lift the MINIMUM to accommodate 31" Wrangler Take-Offs [3 " ?]
Preserve Freeway 'manners' [95% fwy driven at 75mph or so] NOT wanting Stiff
SAFETY
BUDGET ... very limited funds to devote to this, though, I won't use fenceposts for lift
Limited opportunities to wrench, and won't pay someone [Trust Issues]
Not afraid of JY Swaps, but won't use deteriorated parts. If I know which swap vehicle, I would try to order new
Limited knowledge .... from road racing background
Current suspension has surprising amount of RUST, for a CA car w/ low miles
I know that I will need longer sway bar end links ... ordered
So, I'd like to install Red Rubi shocks. Can I use springs ? Can I use LCAs ? Can I use brake lines ?
When I test fit 31" Take-Offs, and subsequently learned that I'd need to Lift, wheel seemed set back in well to far rearward [Caster ?]
If I lift the recommended minimum lift, what are OE [ Swap ?] components that will work ? Budget JY Swap List leaves out a lot of specifics, like years of make for some of the items.
My leafs are ****, so I will need leafs. AAL is NOT an option, and I have been told by multiple ppl that drop shackles age leafs prematurely. IF that is the case, are there OE leafs [from ANY vehicle] that will give me recommended min. lift and NOT ride like a brick ? Is Bastard Pack the same as AAL, requiring disassembly of leaf pack, or is [S10] bastard pack simply bolting in S10 leaf as a whole ?
Did a ton of reading on coils. Some very questionable figures. Taking specs directly off of Moog Index, some recommended coils are actually SHORTER than OE, even lower lbs ratings. I would presume that if I want to reasonably preserve current ride quality, that I would want similar rating in [new] coils, just taller .... ? Recommendations [preferring OE Moog, to a "Kit" due to Budget]
Are there Swap Control Arms that will compensate for minimum advised lift, and get wheel more [forward] in well , that aren't fancy [$$$s] aftermarket ones ? Would drop brackets be a better option ? If so, brackets, combined with which replacement CAs ? What about RCAs ? what needs to change there ?
Reminder, while I have the skills, I do Not have the Budget, or Workspace to do a ton of wrenching. I have to eek out limited windows to try to do install, in increments. I CAN weld, so jy [swap] pieces are an option if I merely need to section & weld in more material ...
With recommended min. lift, will an adjustable Track Bar be needed ? Remember it is 2WD, and won't be doing serious offroading. On same idea as Trac-Bar, will I REALLY need a SYE ?
This XJ is a BLAST to drive; but, she's Beat up, and not worth a ton. I'm already upside down in it, and hope to keep it to minimum for additional. Before you respond saying sell it ... I've thought about it, and while I could flip all of the parts that I already have, I'm past the point of no return [in MY mind], and want to see it through.
I write long posts, but I want to be thorough, and I'm an enthusiastic 51yo. If you read this, THANKS Very Much !
Need some advice on what lift kit to go with. I like IRO's stuff. I have bought a bunch of it and not had any issues. I like the price of their long arm kit but not sure how I feel about the caster adjustment thing they have going on at the upper control arm axle mount.
I had Rubicon Express on my last Jeep. Loved the ride. Their long arm kit is kind of pricey is the only issue on this one for me.
Rough Country...not sure how I feel about this one. Mixed feelings.
BDS, Clayton and all the other big boys are out of my price range.
Anyone know of any other 6.5" long arm kit that is around $1500-1600?
Also, I am thinking about getting some Mickey Thompson Deegan 38s? Are these good tires?
Last edited by Marks2000XJ; 09-03-2016 at 08:03 PM.
Reason: add more info
It seems there is an "A" and a "B" version. Also what info I can find says that you have to remove a a leaf if you if you a medium load. I'm confused. They've changed since the last time I looked at them.
It seems there is an "A" and a "B" version. Also what info I can find says that you have to remove a a leaf if you if you a medium load. I'm confused. They've changed since the last time I looked at them.
Those are the ones you want. CS033RB gives about 3.5" of lift, but you can remove the middle leaf, and they'll give you about 2.5" of lift. Same thing with the "A's" (CS033RA) gives about 4.5" of lift, and you can remove the middle leaf for about 3.5" of lift. These are the ones I have with the middle leaf removed, and I'm happy with them.
I'm pretty sure all OME leaf springs are Dakar springs. I have the CS033RA leafs (like mentioned in the previous post), and they came with a Dakar sticker on them.
Anyone know of any other 6.5" long arm kit that is around $1500-1600?
I think you're gonna be hard pressed to find a complete kit in that price range if you're avoiding RC. IRO's solid, but I don't like their caster adjuster either. I would look at piecing a kit together with the parts you want. Also recommend looking into shackle relocation brackets and including that in your setup.
*Sorry guys, I went a little backwards in replies there.*
I think you're gonna be hard pressed to find a complete kit in that price range if you're avoiding RC. IRO's solid, but I don't like their caster adjuster either. I would look at piecing a kit together with the parts you want. Also recommend looking into shackle relocation brackets and including that in your setup.
*Sorry guys, I went a little backwards in replies there.*
I actually did go look up prices on individual parts using rubicon express coils/leafs and a CavFab long arm kit. It comes out to about the same price a IRO long arm kit.
I actually included in my list of parts a few things that IRO does not include like shims, leaf pin bolts, drop pitman arm and still came out at the same price.
So I may go that route. Only thing is I am giving up an inch of lift but I can live with that. Either that or get some 1" pucks for up front.
It seems there is an "A" and a "B" version. Also what info I can find says that you have to remove a a leaf if you if you a medium load. I'm confused. They've changed since the last time I looked at them.
Originally Posted by TFitzPat87
I'm pretty sure all OME leaf springs are Dakar springs. I have the CS033RA leafs (like mentioned in the previous post), and they came with a Dakar sticker on them.
Interesting. I've never heard of them with "Dakar" branding on them. Only knew of them as OME. Looks like anything OME that's being sold at this point is NOS. OME website and ARB website aren't selling any suspension components for XJ
Thanks to all of your help, heres my 6.5" bastard pack lift cherokee. Now the question is, do i keep running 31's or move up to 33's?
Not going to lie, it looks pretty good even on 31's
One thing i found is i think the RC Coils have a crappy spring rating. One side was sagging so we bumped up the adjustables and after taking them another inch down it seemed that the coils only compressed vs spaced out. If i ever stick bigger coils in to reduce the adjustable spacing..I'm having a shop do it! To get one side in it took 3 crowbars, and a ratchet strap to pull it into place.
Thanks to all of your help, heres my 6.5" bastard pack lift cherokee. Now the question is, do i keep running 31's or move up to 33's? Not going to lie, it looks pretty good even on 31's One thing i found is i think the RC Coils have a crappy spring rating. One side was sagging so we bumped up the adjustables and after taking them another inch down it seemed that the coils only compressed vs spaced out. If i ever stick bigger coils in to reduce the adjustable spacing..I'm having a shop do it! To get one side in it took 3 crowbars, and a ratchet strap to pull it into place. Thanks again for all of your help
the doesn't help that the lift is short arm. That must ride like garbage...
the doesn't help that the lift is short arm. That must ride like garbage...
Your right it has to at 6 1/2" of lift on any short arm.
Originally Posted by Spydie
Road way better than the 3" did. Unless you want to buy it for me, not going long arm for a bit. Maybe in the spring
Then you had something screwed up with the 3" lift most here with a 3" ride very well mine did and still does at 4 1/2". But a long arm is coming as it will help with the ride at 4 1/2" as well as flex.
With 6 1/2" of lift you should be able to run 35's very easy I do and it will look and be better off road as well for clearance. With any tire 33 or above you need gears and lockers.
Your right it has to at 6 1/2" of lift on any short arm.
Then you had something screwed up with the 3" lift most here with a 3" ride very well mine did and still does at 4 1/2". But a long arm is coming as it will help with the ride at 4 1/2" as well as flex.
With 6 1/2" of lift you should be able to run 35's very easy I do and it will look and be better off road as well for clearance. With any tire 33 or above you need gears and lockers.
Ehh, It's not a daily so event if its stiff for now I dont really care. Like i said, a long arm will eventually happen, just cant sport it right now. The 3" lift was just super stiff where this one is way softer. I'm probably only going to run 33's eventually and throw in a detroit trutrac limited slip. I'm not harsh on my rig, I only really trail with it.
09-21-2015, 02:17 PM
