Looking for a lift kit. Educated info appreciated
05-04-2015, 07:58 AM
#18
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
We can all agree on one thing I think, is there isn't a single vendor that offers all the best items in a lift kit, its a mix and match deal. If you do but a large kit there will be a bunch of item you wish were different after you have it a while.
That was one of the main things I found out here after lurking for 5 months and watching the posts from the mods and ones who had been around for a long time. In fact I enjoyed it was like yrs ago when I started learning about what I needed to do to make my drag car run in the top 5 and what parts were needed. Then the biggest problem was money for the quality parts as it is with anything.
For just an comparison when I buy aluminum heads for my engines, I always buy them bare then have them ported and flowed, springs from one vendor, titanium retainers from another same for roller rockers, push rods, stud girdles, etc. Its the same for the lift for an XJ its the sum of all the parts.
Good luck with your search or I should say research.
That was one of the main things I found out here after lurking for 5 months and watching the posts from the mods and ones who had been around for a long time. In fact I enjoyed it was like yrs ago when I started learning about what I needed to do to make my drag car run in the top 5 and what parts were needed. Then the biggest problem was money for the quality parts as it is with anything.
For just an comparison when I buy aluminum heads for my engines, I always buy them bare then have them ported and flowed, springs from one vendor, titanium retainers from another same for roller rockers, push rods, stud girdles, etc. Its the same for the lift for an XJ its the sum of all the parts.
Good luck with your search or I should say research.
05-04-2015, 08:09 AM
#19
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Fred does have a point,A lot of us do mix and match lift parts to get the best of everything we want.On the big things like springs and the control arms do your home work on each brand before buying.On the springs one brands can be soft one can be harder and some lift more then hey say.On the control arms some brands the bushings wear out fast others last longer.
05-04-2015, 12:20 PM
#21
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i can build a 4 inch kit minus the long arms so i can focus on getting good parts and add the long arms later right?
05-04-2015, 12:54 PM
#22
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
05-04-2015, 12:58 PM
#24
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
I know it doesn't sound like much an 1 1/2" but going from a 3" lift to a 4 1/2" using my original springs and other things installed with the 3" items used again cost me about $3100 more. My next step to long arms and the extras I want with them is another to come.
I started with a basic lift with quality springs known for a better ride and no sag of the leafs with time and heavy loads considered. The other thing was where the springs were made 98% of all the lift kits use cheap springs from China and other places. Very few offer American made springs but Rustys Off Road does and after 4 yrs can vouch for the springs.
95% of the time those kits offering you a bunch of different parts tend to be not of the best quality, even in their own line. Your best bet is to pick the best parts from different companies and not buy a large kit. Just a basic one like the Rustys 3" full leaf/coil package $438 I think, you will have a good base kit to build on if you want more lift to 4 1/2".
I started with a basic lift with quality springs known for a better ride and no sag of the leafs with time and heavy loads considered. The other thing was where the springs were made 98% of all the lift kits use cheap springs from China and other places. Very few offer American made springs but Rustys Off Road does and after 4 yrs can vouch for the springs.
95% of the time those kits offering you a bunch of different parts tend to be not of the best quality, even in their own line. Your best bet is to pick the best parts from different companies and not buy a large kit. Just a basic one like the Rustys 3" full leaf/coil package $438 I think, you will have a good base kit to build on if you want more lift to 4 1/2".
05-04-2015, 04:04 PM
#25
::CF Administrator::
I'm going to venture a guess here, and say that was his total overall cost, to upgrade everything, meaning bigger tires, which means a gearing change, SYE, and so on. Gears/axles are expensive, big tires are expensive, long arm kits are expensive...there's way more to all this than just adding 1.5" of lift to it and calling it good. If you're going up in height, then you're needing bigger tires, needing bigger tires means taller gears, better axle shafts, you get the idea...so when you start to think about it, really his cost wasn't all that bad...
05-05-2015, 01:59 PM
#27
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'm going to venture a guess here, and say that was his total overall cost, to upgrade everything, meaning bigger tires, which means a gearing change, SYE, and so on. Gears/axles are expensive, big tires are expensive, long arm kits are expensive...there's way more to all this than just adding 1.5" of lift to it and calling it good. If you're going up in height, then you're needing bigger tires, needing bigger tires means taller gears, better axle shafts, you get the idea...so when you start to think about it, really his cost wasn't all that bad...
Yes, correct gears, Detroit Lockers, axles, sye, custom driveshaft, shocks, steering, HD Adj. U/LCA's list goes on and on, tried to do it right. I planned on all this lasting till I go with the long arm kit then a lot of this will be changed.
By all means cut the fenders, I plan on staying at 4 1/2" on Long Arms. Even now with what I have if the fenders weren't cut the Jeep wouldn't flex well at all with the 33's and I had to bump stop with my set of 35's. This photo is on 33's with 4 1/2" lift, looks lower than that because of the 2x6"Rock Rails being black powder coat.
Last edited by Fred/N0AZZ; 05-05-2015 at 02:05 PM.
05-05-2015, 02:10 PM
#28
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
I'm going to venture a guess here, and say that was his total overall cost, to upgrade everything, meaning bigger tires, which means a gearing change, SYE, and so on. Gears/axles are expensive, big tires are expensive, long arm kits are expensive...there's way more to all this than just adding 1.5" of lift to it and calling it good. If you're going up in height, then you're needing bigger tires, needing bigger tires means taller gears, better axle shafts, you get the idea...so when you start to think about it, really his cost wasn't all that bad...
05-06-2015, 08:07 AM
#29
::CF Administrator::
Misnomer. They are ALL costs associated with the lift. IF YOU WANT TO DO IT CORRECTLY!
But I get what you're saying.
Modding your rig comes at a cost. When you change one thing, it usually means you need to change at least 3 other things to compensate for the change you made, LOL...the goal is to keep your ride as close to stock performance as possible, while improving other aspects, gearing is the best example of this...when you start changing things, you gotta start changing others. This is why we see 20 posts a week on lift/driveline problems, and even more "what does it take to go from 2" to 6" of lift" questions...
But I get what you're saying.
Modding your rig comes at a cost. When you change one thing, it usually means you need to change at least 3 other things to compensate for the change you made, LOL...the goal is to keep your ride as close to stock performance as possible, while improving other aspects, gearing is the best example of this...when you start changing things, you gotta start changing others. This is why we see 20 posts a week on lift/driveline problems, and even more "what does it take to go from 2" to 6" of lift" questions...
05-06-2015, 10:16 AM
#30
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The "Lift Kit" is the CHEAPEST part of doing the lift correctly, its all the extras that mount up in price and mine were relay higher than that.
There is a reason why you see so many HALF A$$ED lifts done on XJ's.
One you can buy one cheap for a 4wd and they work well off road.
Two they buy a cheap lift kit throw it on, no extra parts that's needs and call it good and wonder why it has problems.
Three they sell it to a kid just because it has a lift on it they buy it and think its a great deal because the PO told them it was....Oh yeah I forgot the stereo and speakers for an extra 1k on the price.
That's why I advise to buy a stock XJ when they buy one then they can build what their idea of a good XJ should be.
There is a reason why you see so many HALF A$$ED lifts done on XJ's.
One you can buy one cheap for a 4wd and they work well off road.
Two they buy a cheap lift kit throw it on, no extra parts that's needs and call it good and wonder why it has problems.
Three they sell it to a kid just because it has a lift on it they buy it and think its a great deal because the PO told them it was....Oh yeah I forgot the stereo and speakers for an extra 1k on the price.
That's why I advise to buy a stock XJ when they buy one then they can build what their idea of a good XJ should be.