Jonnie_XJ

SatiricalHen

Stock arms and steering at 5" ? I feel something would be binding or close to binding. The geometry will definitely be WAY off.

Jonnie_XJ

Basslicks

Pull off the trac bar, mark where the threads are currently at, then screw the joint off and see. Takes out the guesswork.

This. 3.5" is about the max for stock short arms... and that's pushing it. You need to AT LEAST get adjustable lowers.... adjustable uppers are recommended past 4.5"

Jonnie_XJ

I figured as much on the stock arms not working. I've heard of people breaking the mounts and breaking the arms and I'd rather that not happen.

XJIrish4x4

Raptors are garbage they are just over priced wanabe offroad looking trucks! They allow someone who has money to look like they can go offroad but really a pavement princess.

Don't get me wrong and someone here will bash me for saying this but I love my Ford trucks so it's not the truck its just over priced for what they offer.

Jonnie_XJ

Martlor13

the raptor is a damn good truck. Vey capable offroad even stock. I agree it is overpriced, but so is everyrhing else. Rubicons, tacomas, and anuthing else that cones stock for "offroad use" you have to pay a premium. Hell, it they might not be overpriced because tons of people buy these so who knows

Jonnie_XJ

Im just curious, how many people with 5" lift and up are running front sway bars? I'm about to finish the front lift on my xj which is 5", and I was wondering if I'm going to needn't it or not. I mostly do off-road things in my jeep but I still have to drive it on the road to get where the off-roading is. No it's not my daily.

NewKindOfClown

In my opinion, it depends on how spirited of a driver you are. I used to say no, don't do it because it's dangerous. But I've been driving my Wrangler for about two years with no shocks, and I don't want to be a hypocrite

SatiricalHen

It's definitely nice to have a sway bar. I've run with and without one 3" lift, 4.5" lift, 5.5" lift and it's nice to have and I always hook mine back up when I'm headed back home, but I've driven into town without a sway bar on and done short stretches without it hooked up. It handles much better with one.

craigjacob1

A higher center of gravity combined with increased body roll is dangerous. Especially at high speeds.

You can end up in a rollover situation where you normally wouldn't.

Matt517704

Just purchased OME lift kit (3") for my 94 Country with 130,000 miles on her. Did not like Crown stock replacement springs from India so after talking with folks and looking at other builds decided on OME and gonna remove a leaf from the rear to drop it down a bit. Looking for 2". Thought I may replace Lower control arms and maybe uppers as well as track bar. Looking at Metal Cloak and JKS for these parts. JKS looks to be a bit pricier on a couple pieces but both in the same ballpark. Only thing I read about Metal Cloak I do not like is drilling holes to make them larger for Track bar. Any Ideas or opinions on these two manufacturers would be greatly appreciated.

Jonnie_XJ

Basslicks

I used to be on the "YOU MUST RUN A SWAYBAR BLAH BLAH BLAH" bandwagon... until I drove around the XJ for about a month without it on because I kept forgetting to reattach it. As Clown said, if you drive like it like ya stole it, best to put that sway bar on. I've driving highway speeds without any less feeling of control with the sway bar disconnected... even taken left hand turns trying to make the yellow light without a worry. Sure, the body leans a little more to the right, but when you're a 280lb counterweight, and still taking the turn slower than the average family sedan, there's no danger of losing it anyway.

If you drive smart (that includes reacting to objects in the road), you should be fine.

At 2" your stock arms will be fine. You may want to replace the bushing if they're worn out, but there's no real need to replace the arms until 3". BUT... it's your Jeep... if you want to spend the extra dough on replacement arms, it won't be to a detriment.