Mkcurtiss

So Martlor13 you run your mouth a lot, but I don't see pic one of your XJ......you must be the XJ king the way you talk, where is your ride? Surely you have one AWESOME perfect rock crawling, smooth riding, hill climbing, bad *** XJ? Lets have a look at it and your list of do it yourself garage modifications you certainly did yourself, without any help from anyone? And you certainly did not spend more than $500 on the whole kit and kaboodle since you the man with the "hook up" ! Where is it?

NewKindOfClown

Mkcurtiss

I love the popcorn....and I love a smart *** insecure small d*** jerk trying to look like he is the s*** on the internet.......I see this bs all the time.....they run their mouths constantly.....smmfh

NewKindOfClown

I think you'll find a lot of us here agree with the spirit of his post, though perhaps not each and every sentence.

If you don't have the means or the knowledge to install the lift yourself, that isn't something we'll harass you for on this forum. We're all here to learn and to help each other, and a good many of us started out our builds with our very first use of hand tools. And a lot of us live (or have lived) in places that aren't conducive to automotive work. Nobody here will fault you for going to a shop.

But! A lot of us do take issue with your absolutist stance that it can't be done buy an average person. The majority of our active users work on their own Jeeps with varying levels of experience. It's something we embrace, and we encourage the learning experience for those interested.

When it comes down to it, it seems like you made some poorly-informed decisions and then threw in the towel. We've all been guilty of the first part at some point, and most of us have asked for professional help somewhere along the way. Again, we aren't going to give you a hard time over that.

But I think a lot of folks here would agree that if you had done some more research before spending money, both on the parts and on the lifting process, you likely could've handled the project yourself or with a couple friends. This can be a great place to meet like-minded people, many of whom are happy to help out people in their local area.

Your post came across like you jumped into the purchase without really understanding it, and then you perceived your mistakes as technical difficulties.

I'm not trying to attack you here. Just trying to explain how your initial post appeared from my point of view.

EZEARL

Actually Mkcurtiss he only does it when he knows what he's talking about. Gets his knowledge about it from the shop that installs lifts where he works.

SatiricalHen

here's some pictures of a Cherokee that was lifted 5.5" in my garage with a jack and jack stands.

SteveMongr

Easy now fellas.
You guys are both correct. The number one issue with a beginner is not knowing what to buy, as well as wanting to skimp on what is required (like buying an add-a-leaf). If a person is totally new to wrenching than they will require help with some of the 'how-to' aspects of removing old components and installing new. Dialing in a three-inch lift with upper and lower adjustable arms will also require some assistance to get it right (could be verbal or hands-on help). Alignments can be done effectively in a home garage but one must be familiar with the concepts, and the means to be accurate (not just sticking a tape measure between tires).

If one has experience wrenching on car/truck chassis and the proper tools, understands the concepts involved with lifting, than a lift will be far more simple and straight forward. As far as dialing in a lift, again one needs to be familiar with all the concepts involved, steering, wheelbase, driveshaft joints and angles.
Most of us on this forum have wrenching experience, almost half seem to have well above average experience, also a number of professionals here.


Replacing every suspension bushing when installing a lift is always a good idea with 20 year old vehicles.

Mkcurtiss

No doubt I made ill informed decisions about my initial lift purchase.....
I was raised in a rural environment...we worked on all our own stuff...I have been a hot rodder since I was 13 (literally).....We had hot rods, dirt bikes, tractors, but never any jeeps.....
I was trained as a mechanic and welder many moons ago...and I love doing my own thing.....I have also always been self employed..I have never had a "job".....
The jeep has been a fun and new experience for me.....I have loved getting to know jeeps and the whole jeep mod thing, but I am also not one that does half-*** work to my machinery......Sometimes, things have to go to a shop, to be done right, and that is fine.....Really, I got sick of my xj not being silky smooth,a nd I got sick of working on it, and I can afford to pay to have things done "by the book"......after spending a modest amount of money on those things that needed a "professional" , I saw the benefit of the shop equipment, and skilled mechanics, that have been there and done that.......every dime I have spent on my xj has been money well spent and I do not regret a penny of it....but again, I can afford it.
In addition to my Jeep and all things Jeep, I am a dirt bike guy, (been riding and racing for 45 years), and I have an antique Corvette, and a 1963 Ford Falcon hot rod....I am a machine person.....a hands on person, and still, I have seen the benefit of letting professionals do their thing, and enjoying the fruits of their labor......
I absolutely love my xj, ...I love the way it looks, drives (finally), handles, everything about it.....I could have a brand new Range Rover if I want it, but I love my 92 Cherokee, and I love sharing Cherokee experiences.......and learning Cherokee stuff......this forum has been helpful to me.....and I enjoy coming here, but I do not enjoy smartass remarks that are uncalled for.....I am 54 years old and don't have time for stupid immature junk.....I like facts, reality, solid numbers, real info.....not a bunch of brand loyalty, condescending, "my jeep is better than yours" garbage.......I can have any vehicle I want, but what I want right now, is to enjoy my Jeep Cherokee.....I hope that fits in here.....

Mkcurtiss

So SatiricalHen.....
What does it do on the highway at 75 mph?

SteveMongr

Some of these dedicated crawlers are not set up to comfortably or safely run 75mph. I have to drive three hours at 55 to find an interstate that allows 75.
Mkcurtiss, I am glad you joined the forum and are sharing your experience. I agree with much of what you say and value your background that you describe. Hang in there, good things will come.

EZEARL

"...I hope that fits in here..... "

Ok. But a Range Rover?! Whoa just kidding.

I can APPRECIATE you deciding to take your XJ to a shop. Got in to a situation last summer where I did the same. Glad I did. Gave me peace of mind that it was done right.

NewKindOfClown

This is my kind of response

You'll fit in just fine here if you'd like to stick around. Just a little rocky on that first impression for some of us, but that's no big deal. I'm glad you're happy with the result, and I look forward to seeing what you choose to do in the future.

Mkcurtiss

Thank you newkindofclown ! I look forward to learning and sharing more xj stuff !!!!!!

SatiricalHen

Mine will do 75 easy. With it set up the way it is now I've had it up to 100 with some vibration, but it was not wobbling or scary. I did 75 in it yesterday in fact. Driven daily since the day I bought it. I've had other cars and vehicles to drive, but I've always driven them about the same amount. It's never been a dedicated trail rig.

Martlor13

lol your too much man. You came in hot stating a 3 inch lift NEEDS this that and a mechanic on top. I simply disputed your claims because, well, they are simply wrong....its great you can afford to have work done. But many love their xjs because they are cheap and they can keep it that way by doing work themselves. Your stating that an xj cant ride like a dream if we do it ourselves in our garages on our own, as evidenced by you dismissing satircalhens rig. That guy does absolutely everything on his own to that jeep, and i wouldnt doubtt for a second that he has it running just like yours done by a professional.

edit: i'm really a nice guy, just like all these other fine folk lol....dont think i'm just chest thumping, its all in good fun