McCaffrey

When you said my comment didn't make sense above, this is exactly what I was talking about. Although I was picturing the engine/trans tilted down in the back and the C/V joint angle reversed.

BigSki1

[QUOTE=okcjeeper;123593]Get it and then trim the fenders and run 35's easily. Add some Bilstein shocks and you'd be set for just about anything.Also take into consideration you will also need an SYE and new driveshaft..SO you will have to address that and the other drive line angles..



I had a top end SYE kit and custom drive shaft installed to correct the drive train angles so my u joints would stop wearing out. When I picked up the jeep it vibrated and hummed as I accelerated on the hwy. The vibrations have mellowed out but continue over most of the speed range 5-70 mph.
As it turns out the pinion angle is off by 5 degrees and the mechanic told me it was because of the add a leaf that is on the rear suspension (the lift is only about 2.5"). So I was told the shims on the axle are necessary to correct the pinion angle and stop the vibrations.
I have some questions that I hope someone can clear up for me:

1. Are shims common or is this a band aid fix because measurements for the new drive shaft weren't done properly?

2. Are shims a good, solid fix for a vehicle that is going to wheeled frequently on big Rocky Mountain passes?

3. Can I put a bigger lift on the 92' XJ (3.5" short arm) and get away with not putting another new custom drive shaft on it? So the XJ would be getting an extra 1" put on it with the Tom Woods that built for 2.5" lift. Does anyone think I'll run into drive train problems?

TFitzPat87

Shims are very common. I have 4* shims on mine. Just make sure you get steel ones, and not aluminum. Installed properly, and the u-bolts torqued, you won't have any issue.

As far as drive shaft length, you're probably fine to go up to 3 or 3.5", but it's hard to say for sure. You'd need to lift it to know one way or the other.

Ethan94

I'm looking at getting a rough country 6.5" x series lift, would I need to change anything else? Or could I just throw it on and go?
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-suspension-lift-kit-696n2.html

NewKindOfClown

You'll be changing out that kit in a year because it's no good. Weren't you asking about lowering your Jeep last week?

Martlor13

youre gonna need a lot more then whats in that garbage kit.

Ethan94

Lowering, never. I was asking about different lift kits though. Like the zone off-road. I want to go with a bigger one, still shopping around while the engine rebuild is finishing up. Any suggestions for a 6" kit that wouldn't be more than 1,000$? And what's wrong with that one? If I sprang for the long arm kit would it be worth it or just look for a different brand all together?

NewKindOfClown

My mistake, I must've mixed you up with someone else.

The only 6.5" lift kits I know of in that price range are from Tomken and Rough Country, but they're both missing half of the things you need at that height. I wouldn't recommend either.

I know you don't want to hear this, but you have to pay to play in this hobby. If your budget is $1k, you can't afford to safely lift your XJ 6.5" in any manner that's going to last over time. On top of the lift kits itself (front and rear springs, LCAs, UCAs, track bar, brake lines, etc), you also need an SYE and CV driveshaft for the rear, an entirely new steering setup with proper geometry, and a long arm upgrade kit with a new crossmember is recommended. All in all, market price for a good 6.5" lift and the corresponding mods will set you in the $2k price range if not more. Most people try to cheap out, but you won't like the result if you follow in their footsteps.

TFitzPat87

^^^This! Cheap out the first time around, and trying to fix things as you go will cost you more money in the long run too.

Just curious... why 6.5"? I know everyone has their tastes but that's a big lift. What size tires are you thinking of running. I'm personally caught up in the 4.5" lifts with trim fenders and 35's. Pretty sure this is where I want to take mine.

Ethan94

The engine rebuild is costing 3,500$ (1,000$ over the original quote) which is why the budget it so low right now. I'll just save up and wait to get the lift then. Thank you for the advice. Is there any kits you'd recommend looking at or possibly one that'd come with most of the things listed in the picture?

Ethan94

Partly because the city I'm in all that can be lifted is, or lowered, see trucks with over10" lift everyday. I was going to try 35's if they looked too small go up until it fits right. It's mostly going to be a dd and a weekend warrior now and then but I want it to stand out, there's hundreds of 87-94 xj's in this city but none that big that I've seen. So mostly just for the sake of having a jeep like no one else here, that and think it'd look mean sitting tall with big rubber coming down the highway

TFitzPat87

Yeah, save up. The most "complete" kit I'm aware of is the 4.5 or 5.5" that Serious Offroad puts together (used to be a vendor here). It's pretty much a Rubicon Express lift, that comes with his long arm upgrade (radius arms), and a SYE and drive shaft. You'd still need to figure out steering though.

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...Path=419_2040&

That 5.5" kit would probably net you close to 6.5".

Also, that's almost a $2,500 kit though, and proves the point of cost that NewKindofClown mentioned.

Martlor13

You're gonna need a lot more to run 35s as well. Gears, possibly new axle, upgraded steering

Spydie

It will ride like a truck but its possible to achieve 6.5" of lift out of a bastard pack. I honestly don't remember what the price came out to but it was below a grand.

Now for a few questions,
Still looking for new tires. The used shop by me has a set of 5 brand new (Have 500 miles on them and ones brand new) of 275 75r17 BFG KM's for $700. I know it's a good deal but what's everyones opinion on the KM's vs KM2's and how 17's will look on a cherokee? I really wanted to go with 15" wheels but if everyones opinions on the KM's are good and think it's worth it i'll bite the bullet and get them. Everywhere I've read everyone really likes the KM2's for mud and not so much the KM's for mud. Anyways I appreciate all of your opinions

Martlor13

If I'm being honest, all the bfg loyalists that get their tires at my work praise the km2, and dog the km....not many were fond of them...one of our local clubs even have a "rule" that they will not allow new jk users that still have them on to join haha...they aren't one of bfgs best imo.