Jeep Cherokee Forum

Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993-2004: Lift Kit Modifications

Are you thinking about installing a lift kit on your Jeep Grand Cherokee, but don't know where to start? This article will tell you everything you need to know before you start shopping for a lift.

By Brett Foote - September 25, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ/ZJ (1993-2004).

So you've started looking at lifting your Jeep, but aren't sure where to start? We've got the breakdown on the parts you need to get the job done. Whether you want to go mild or wild, the sky is the limit when it comes to lift kit options for Jeeps. While the Grand Cherokee's rear suspension is a bit different than the regular XJ Cherokee, it won't be a limiting factor for you Jeepers who are just starting out with modifications and off-roading. That said, let's get to it.

Lift Kits

Lifting a Grand Cherokee involves different parts than lifting a Cherokee, since the two vehicles use different suspension setups. Some of the parts available to lift the Grand Cherokee include coil spring spacers, taller coil springs, control arms or long arm kits, longer shocks, and shock extenders. These components are also generally available as a package or kit, which can save you some money over buying them individually.

Figure 1. Jeep Grand Cherokee with lift kit.

Coil Springs and Spacers

DIY Cost – $60-$500

Professional Cost – $120-$750

Skill Level – Moderate; installing springs or spacers requires a compression tool and they can be dangerous to remove if you're not careful.

Coil spacers are a cheap and easy way to give yourself a couple of inches of lift, and they don't adversely affect ride quality. If you're just looking for a little more clearance to fit those larger wheels and tires, spacers are a great option that doesn't affect factory spring rate. They work with any factory or aftermarket coil spring, and unlike a coil spring, will never change lift height over time and use. On the downside, spacers can decrease suspension travel and in some rare instances the spacers could fall out or become dislodged.

Replacement coil springs are a good option to replace old, worn out springs, and you can customize your spring rate by purchasing custom springs. Adding a taller coil spring adds a minimal amount of collapsed length, but they also provide better performance than stock springs. On the downside, new springs can be expensive. Recommended for drivers who want to add larger wheels and tires, but keep the factory rate.

Control Arms and Long Arm Kits

DIY Cost – $500-$2,000

Professional Cost – $750-$3,000

Skill Level – Moderate; requires a fair amount of skill, but no special tools to install.

Control arms are a popular upgrade for most off-road vehicles because they enable you to alter suspension travel, increase stability, and improve vehicle control. This all leads to a vehicle that not only performs better, but is safer on and off the road. One important thing to note, if you decide to swap out control arms, is they will not increase suspension travel unless you install a set of shocks that enable more travel as well.

Long arm upgrades are very popular among Jeep owners because they help reduce the operating angles of the control arms once installed. They also help increase travel, provide a smoother ride, and reduce stress on both the car itself and the suspension components. Arched long arms also increase ground clearance, which is very desirable in the off-road world to keep your suspension bits away from rocks and other hazards. Recommended for drivers who want a safer, better performing Jeep on and off the road.

Shocks and Shock Extenders

DIY Cost – $30-$500+

Professional Cost – $75-$1,000

Skill Level – Easy; replacing shocks or installing extenders requires no special tools or mechanical skills.

Shocks are one of the most important components of any suspension, and are especially important on an off-road suspension. Replacing shocks when installing other lift components isn't always necessary, but their performance will likely not be very good. Shocks help to dampen the impacts of the road and terrain on your vehicle, helping to extend the life of your suspension components, the wheels and tires, as well as give you a smoother ride. Off-roading places a much greater amount of stress on your vehicle, meaning that shocks play an even more integral role. A set of shocks specifically designed for off-roading will also improve your vehicle control, stability, and performance under those conditions.

Shock extenders help keep your shocks at their proper travel starting point and prevent the shock from topping out if you install a taller coil spring or coil spring spacer, but don't replace the shocks with ones that have more travel. This can save you a lot of money over buying a new set of shocks, and is a good choice if you are simply installing coil spring spacers. If you decide to install more serious components or go for a bigger lift, a new set of shocks is well worth the money. Recommended for drivers who want to extend the life of their suspension, wheels and tires.

Related Discussions