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- Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ 1993 to 1998 Tires General Information and Specs
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Seasoned Member
A adjustable track bar makes it easy
Ok guys so I finally finished the lift and tires.
I did a 2” spacer up front with 2” extended shackles in the back and 30.5 tires on 16” wheels.
the thing I’m running into now is the passenger front tire when I turn the wheel all the way to the right it rubs slightly on the lower control arm. It does not occur on the driver side and it doesn’t rub at all when turned left.
any suggestions on how to resolve this?
I did a 2” spacer up front with 2” extended shackles in the back and 30.5 tires on 16” wheels.
the thing I’m running into now is the passenger front tire when I turn the wheel all the way to the right it rubs slightly on the lower control arm. It does not occur on the driver side and it doesn’t rub at all when turned left.
any suggestions on how to resolve this?
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Dawson Springs, KY
Posts: 781
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2 Posts
Year: 1985
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5L
Ok guys so I finally finished the lift and tires.
I did a 2” spacer up front with 2” extended shackles in the back and 30.5 tires on 16” wheels.
the thing I’m running into now is the passenger front tire when I turn the wheel all the way to the right it rubs slightly on the lower control arm. It does not occur on the driver side and it doesn’t rub at all when turned left.
any suggestions on how to resolve this?
I did a 2” spacer up front with 2” extended shackles in the back and 30.5 tires on 16” wheels.
the thing I’m running into now is the passenger front tire when I turn the wheel all the way to the right it rubs slightly on the lower control arm. It does not occur on the driver side and it doesn’t rub at all when turned left.
any suggestions on how to resolve this?
Second would be to look at the angled control arms which give a little more clearance, something like these https://www.morris4x4center.com/jks-...-jks-1650.html
There are others that are less expensive that are not adjustable also.
Junior Member
How do the Rubicon Express 3.5” leaf springs and Iron Rock Offroad 3.5” leaf springs compare in terms of flex, ride quality, and load handling? I’m running ZJ coils with spacers in the front and the rear is sitting pretty low even with RE full length add a leafs…and the flex is pathetic. Seriously, the flex is almost non-existent. The shocks are definitely not maxing out in either direction, and I’m hitting the bump stops pretty often.
Are the Iron Rock springs worth the extra change? I remember Rubicon Express being the best of the best circa 2005…is that not the case anymore?
Are the Iron Rock springs worth the extra change? I remember Rubicon Express being the best of the best circa 2005…is that not the case anymore?
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: GA
Posts: 342
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86 Posts
Year: 1999 classic
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6
I run RE 3.5” leaf springs with a 1” RE lift shackle. That’s their 4.5” rear setup. They flex well and ride good. I do carry a full size 33” spare and I would consider my XJ on the heavy side. Other than that, I wouldn’t know about load handling. I don’t tow with it.
The RE 4.5” front springs work well to. No complaints on or off-road and I haven’t experienced any sagging in 2 years of use.
I don’t have any experience with iron rock.
The RE 4.5” front springs work well to. No complaints on or off-road and I haven’t experienced any sagging in 2 years of use.
I don’t have any experience with iron rock.
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: West Central Indiana
Posts: 10
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0 Posts
Year: 2003
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0
Son's first car is an XJ!
Hello all. Been lurking for a few weeks but can't seem to find the exact answer to my specific question. I just got my son a mint 2000 XJ (and he's stoked!). The suspension is worn out and it could use some tires. My brother was able to score me some rubicon factory take-offs from his dealership and a lift will solve the worn suspension. I want to keep him as low to the ground as possible (safer and I think it looks better), but I need to clear the 33" tires. He won't be rock crawling or slamming trails, but I don't want him to wrinkle a fender. I'm pretty sold on Old Man Emu lifts, I know I'll need adapters, and I'm not scared to cut and fold the fenders.
- What lift height do you recommend? (I was thinking 3.5"?)
- What width adapter do I need for the correct backspace for that lift? (I was thinking 1.5")
- Will I need coil spacers to level the front?
- What about bump-stops or long arms?
- Brake line length ok?
Man, If someone has already done this, please chime in and bonus points for pics. I'm not home much, I'm active duty Navy stationed in Great Lakes and only make it home on most weekends. I have to make the most of my time, I really don't want to figure this out as I go because that adds up to months for me. Thanks for this awesome website and thanks to all those who reply.
- What lift height do you recommend? (I was thinking 3.5"?)
- What width adapter do I need for the correct backspace for that lift? (I was thinking 1.5")
- Will I need coil spacers to level the front?
- What about bump-stops or long arms?
- Brake line length ok?
Man, If someone has already done this, please chime in and bonus points for pics. I'm not home much, I'm active duty Navy stationed in Great Lakes and only make it home on most weekends. I have to make the most of my time, I really don't want to figure this out as I go because that adds up to months for me. Thanks for this awesome website and thanks to all those who reply.
Seasoned Member
Lovely XJ - congrats! I run an OME lift. With a 1-1/2" spacer in front to replace the stock 1/2"spacer above OME coil springs, the front levels with the full OME 6 leaf pack in rear to net a 3-1/4" lift. I run 31's (actual 30.5) 245/75/r16 tires on 7"x16" rims. 33's require a 4-1/2" lift that will necessitate a new drive shaft, SYE (transfer Case), re-gearing the diffs, longer brake lines, and long arms. 285/ 70/r17's are 11.2" wide - you'd need to trim the finders regardless of the lift. You could lift it 3", trim the finders and adjust the bump stops to negate articulation and possibly get away with it - but I wouldn't suggest driving it. If it was my son, I'd return those tires and build this:
About as high as I'd go with a 16 year old
About as high as I'd go with a 16 year old
Last edited by Very Red XJ; 12-13-2021 at 07:04 PM.
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: GA
Posts: 342
Received 103 Likes
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86 Posts
Year: 1999 classic
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6
Going to take months anyway. I’d take a couple months or longer to research and price different options. What you’re wanting to do is going to take a lot more than a handful of weekends. It’s going to get expensive. If you ask different questions in separate threads or start a build thread you’ll get good responses.
First decision I would make is am I willing to re gear or not. Good luck
Btw. I bet he is stoked. My first vehicle was a 77 Toyota Corolla wagon deluxe. 😆 What was deluxe about I’m still trying to figure out.
First decision I would make is am I willing to re gear or not. Good luck
Btw. I bet he is stoked. My first vehicle was a 77 Toyota Corolla wagon deluxe. 😆 What was deluxe about I’m still trying to figure out.
Last edited by Sirsyc0; 12-13-2021 at 08:02 PM.
Seasoned Member
All Rrue
Going to take months anyway. I’d take a couple months or longer to research and price different options. What you’re wanting to do is going to take a lot more than a handful of weekends. It’s going to get expensive. If you ask different questions in separate threads or start a build thread you’ll get good responses.
First decision I would make is am I willing to re gear or not. Good luck
Btw. I bet he is stoked. My first vehicle was a 77 Toyota Corolla wagon deluxe. 😆 What was deluxe about I’m still trying to figure out.
First decision I would make is am I willing to re gear or not. Good luck
Btw. I bet he is stoked. My first vehicle was a 77 Toyota Corolla wagon deluxe. 😆 What was deluxe about I’m still trying to figure out.
Sometimes, an image is worth a thousand words and helps to explain the thousands of dollars and many hours it takes to make it happen
::CF Administrator::
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lantana, Fl
Posts: 34,042
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188 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
1996 XJ 2 door with Rubicon Express 5.5" lift, shackle relocation brackets (regular, not the no-lift type) and 285/75r16's (actual measurement of this brand is 33.07" dia.). 16x8 KMC Hoss wheels.
Senior Member
1989 Limited with a 2" lift (coil spacers & add a leaf & load leveller shocks) with 31"x10.5" Goodyear Duratracs on 15" Turbine wheels.
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Old XJ (05-23-2022)
Seasoned Member
Junior Member
5” or 7” of lift for 35’s?
I plan to run IRO leaf springs, which come in 3.5” and 5.5” flavors. I already have a Ford 8.8 installed and RE 1” lift shackles, so I’m looking at 1.5-2” of lift on top of whatever the springs give me…so roughly 5-5.5” or 7-7.5” of lift. I plan to trim the fenders as much as I can while still running flares to keep it legal (probably the cheap generic ones on eBay) and will have steel bumpers, a full size spare, a winch, and basic camping gear.
Which springs should I go with to clear 35’s? This is NOT a mall crawler, but it does need to perform DD duties. It’ll be twin locked and running the hardest trails in Moab, so it needs as much flex as possible while keeping the center of gravity low. Long arms, a front Dana 44, and subframe reinforcements will be installed too.
Which springs should I go with to clear 35’s? This is NOT a mall crawler, but it does need to perform DD duties. It’ll be twin locked and running the hardest trails in Moab, so it needs as much flex as possible while keeping the center of gravity low. Long arms, a front Dana 44, and subframe reinforcements will be installed too.
Seasoned Member
I plan to run IRO leaf springs, which come in 3.5” and 5.5” flavors. I already have a Ford 8.8 installed and RE 1” lift shackles, so I’m looking at 1.5-2” of lift on top of whatever the springs give me…so roughly 5-5.5” or 7-7.5” of lift. I plan to trim the fenders as much as I can while still running flares to keep it legal (probably the cheap generic ones on eBay) and will have steel bumpers, a full size spare, a winch, and basic camping gear.
Which springs should I go with to clear 35’s? This is NOT a mall crawler, but it does need to perform DD duties. It’ll be twin locked and running the hardest trails in Moab, so it needs as much flex as possible while keeping the center of gravity low. Long arms, a front Dana 44, and subframe reinforcements will be installed too.
Which springs should I go with to clear 35’s? This is NOT a mall crawler, but it does need to perform DD duties. It’ll be twin locked and running the hardest trails in Moab, so it needs as much flex as possible while keeping the center of gravity low. Long arms, a front Dana 44, and subframe reinforcements will be installed too.
Junior Member
Swapping out diffs is a great start, but most people on 35's deliver their XJ's to the trail head on a trailer. I have a friend with a 2 door JL on 35's that he drives it to trail-heads. The wider track of the wrangler makes a HUGE difference. Wheeling with articulation on difficult trails is mutually exclusive to having a low center of gravity , 33's are a better compromise, but the answers to your questions can be found here: BleepinJeep - YouTube
Bleepin Jeep is awesome, but I’m not seeing anything on running 35’s with fender flares. I was hoping to get some insight from people who’ve done it. Do you run 33’s then?
Seasoned Member
Mat at Bleeping Jeep built an XJ with 35's
Seriously? I’ve always considered 35’s to be a streetable compromise. I’ve run them on my CJ7 for years and I regularly see 37’s on the pavement around here, albeit under JL’s and JK’s and not XJ’s though.
Bleepin Jeep is awesome, but I’m not seeing anything on running 35’s with fender flares. I was hoping to get some insight from people who’ve done it. Do you run 33’s then?
Bleepin Jeep is awesome, but I’m not seeing anything on running 35’s with fender flares. I was hoping to get some insight from people who’ve done it. Do you run 33’s then?