Basslicks

3.75" Backspace on an 8" wheel is going to stick out quite a bit from the flares with 10.5" wide tires.

Here's 10" wide tires on American Racing Baja 15x8 wheels w/ 3.75" backspacing. You'd probably be fine in the rear, but I think the fronts are going to give you a problem. (The white XJ in the pic - not the silver one)


I like them. I was wanting to get a set for mine, but they didn't make a set of 31x10.50r15s when I was in the market for tires. I haven't had any experience with them though. Just as Tim said though, it seems as though they improved on all their shortcomings with the KO2s... I'm really glad to see they got away from the square shouldered sidewalls and staggered the sidelugs for a little more bite. They kinda remind me of what would happen if a KO1 and a Rugged Trail got together and had a kid.

billings98

Okay, so I have spent hours reading different info on this forum and developing ideas for my xj. I realize that lifting it is going to have to be my first route. I have taken my stock xj out and quickly realized the limitations of my current stock suspension set up. My current dilemma is figuring out the correct lift size for my use. I mostly use my jeep as a DD because I am still in school and have to run errands and such. I do really enjoy taking it out on some old back roads and up into the mountains when I can though. This being said I am looking for a lift that will not kill my mpg but will still allow me to get out on the weekends and do simple off roading, nothing serious. I am up for any suggestions this being my first jeep. Thank you for all the help.

NewKindOfClown

3" lift and 31" tires has been the standard on Cherokees for a long time. If you want to go a little higher, a 4.5" lift and 33s is the next 'standard' lift combination, but the cost will go up and MPG will drop.

billings98

That chart is very helpful thank you. I have done some research into several different 3" lifts from ones like Rusty's and Rough Country's, to things such as the bastard pack. Price point is some what of an issue but I would like to get it done correctly so i realize that add a leafs will not be an option. So what else is really required for a 3" lift besides what comes in a kit. Also would a TC drop be adequate at this height or is an sye required.

VTJeep

TL;DR: look at NKOC's chart. :/
The lift won't hurt mpg's. Big tarz and no re-gearing will kill mpg's. That said, you can accomplish a lot off road with about 3" of lift. If your willing to trim a little, bigger tires will help get the axles (the lowest point on vehicle) farther off the ground giving you a LCOG but good clearance. Couple that with a little bit more suspension travel and you'll have a capable rig. It's not about being way off the ground or stuffing a tire way up into the fender well to achieve max flex. Proper bump stoping and more suspension droop can give you better performance off road than a tall lift. Tires are the only thing that make contact with the ground. They are the only things generating grip. There's a reason at/mt tires exist. Open differentials allow the tire with least grip to spin while the tires with potentially the most grip sit inert. A locking differential/s will allow all tires to provide grip. A great component for off roading. With open diffs, in 4wd you have true 2wd. With a locked rear and open front and vice versa, you have true 3wd. Obviously with both locked you have true 4wd. Maybe look into zone or rustys for entry level lifts. There will be other components needed too. Sometimes you can buy the complete kit, with shocks, springs, control arms, etc. but for lifting 3+ inches you'll need an aftermarket track bar, longer/relocated brake lines, maybe a SYE and driveshaft for rear.. And if you DD this a lot then you'll want LCA's to keep road manners as nice as possible. Oh also might as well get a HD drag link/track bar combo. Wish I had.. Disconnectable sway bars are pretty important. You can scrap the rear sway bar and make BPE's for rear shocks from the bushings. So yeah.. To do it right ain't cheap, even if you do the work yourself it will still be a little bit invested in the lift, tires, etc.. Good luck and welcome to the addiction.

chipmaker

Save up a little coin and get the RE 3.5" super flex kit, and a set of Bilstein 5100's and you will be golden.

Basslicks

To be honest with you, TC drop isn't adequate at any height... before I get flames from those that have them and those whose TC drops came with their lift - TC drops tip the scales of driveline geometry entirely. It band-aids the problem with the rear u-joint angle, while throwing off the front u-joint angles. You may or may not need an SYE if you're only lifting it 3". Some people report driveline vibrations while others report they have no problem. I can say pretty confidently though that if you decide to lift it without getting the SYE and discover that you have vibrations, you'll most likely be fine until you can save up for the SYE and then use a front driveshaft for the rear until you can save up to have a custom one made (if you so desire that).

Just refer to that chart that he showed you, it really can't get any more cut and dry than that.

If pricepoint is your main issue (trust me I understand) shop around. I've found good deals on decent coils springs that will lift the jeep 3-4 inches made by RC, RE, Rusty's, and IRO. Snag your coils, then go to the JY and find the leafs out of an s10, dakota, or durango... build your bastard pack lift and see if you can find someone selling a set of shocks out of a JK Rubicon. If you want, check out Dukie's build - he did the majority of his lift using parts from the JY... I think the only thing he purchased outside of a JY were shackle relocators and front coils. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/pr...r-cart-114924/

Nets about 3-4" IIRC

Basslicks

This too

NewKindOfClown

Excellent advice from Basslicks there. I pieced together my XJ's lift over seven months. I did a 3.5" lift with Rubicon Express leaf springs, a brand new Iron Rock double shear track bar, and 5 33x12.5x15 Duratracs (still with nipples on them) on 15x10 wheels (width not recommended)... all for $900.

Basslicks

Why thank you my good man

billings98

So yesterday I decided to take the jeep out again around the areas that I would most often be taking it out. I was very surprised with the performance of the stock jeep. I did notice that new shocks would be required and a little bit of lift. As I said before this isn't going to be a hardcore off road vehicle just a jeep that I can take out on the weekends. That being said I would like to really thank everyone that has answered my questions. You all are really helping me in this process. Another question I have though is whats the main difference between a two inch and three inch lift. It seems to me that the three inch lift requires lots more parts. I could very well be wrong but I was just wondering. Again thanks for the help.

SeriousOffroad

Go backwards thru this thread. There's a chart that shows what is recommended for various lift heights.

chipmaker

If your just looking for a cheap small lift. Grab a 2" spacer and shackle kit and some white body shocks. Should only cost about $250 but there will not be much of a noticeable increase in capability.

sycoglitch

It's actually a stickied thread now

sycoglitch

To be honest, lifts don't make you more capable. They let you run larger tires. Now before people get panties twisted, yes there are advantage to tall lifts. But driver, you gotta ask yourself. How much you wanna spend. You can do a quality OME 2" lift and run 31s and bumpstop properly. If you poke you head round these parts, you'll see people run Low COG jeeps and love em. Many do 3" lift with 31-33s depending on trimming. You gotta look at how far you looking to go.