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3'' lift now have drive line vibrations

Old 09-11-2010, 04:45 PM
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Default 3'' lift now have drive line vibrations

so I just installed a RC 3'' lift kit on my 2000 xj with the 242 Tc. I only got the 3'' because I didn't want to have to deal with drive shaft issues and longer hoses ect. but ..... looks like I got them anyways I'm just looking for some guidance on what the best way to fix it is I know SYE is the best way but I dont think I should need one on only a 3''. The vibration is only noticeable above 50mph so I'm thinking the drive line angles could not be that bad I dont know if I'm better of with just shims or a TC drop. also wondering if it is actually very common to have this problem with 3'' lifts everyone I talked to said dont worry 3 in barley changes anything. also I checked all the U joints and they seem ok
Old 09-11-2010, 05:01 PM
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make yourself a 1" tcase drop(square stock) , worked for me!
Old 09-11-2010, 05:03 PM
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Do a tc drop.I try telling people that all XJs are different and what works for some won't work for others.Sometimes with 3in you need a tc drop.Go to Rustys.com.They are like $30 with shipping.If the cross member dont line up when installing it then wrap a ratchet strap around the front axle and cross member to line up the holes.There are 2 bolts and 2 studs.PB Blast the heck out of them and use MAP gas.I used a big pipe wrench to remove the studs.
Old 09-11-2010, 05:13 PM
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yea just do a Tcase drop. if you want to try and save ground clearance, just keep adding washers to your current cross member until the vibes go way. i did that and only had to add 2 washers per bolt. so i didnt lose that much ground clearance and i saved a little bit of money. if you dont want to buy an actual Tcase drop you can just buy longer bolts and enough washers and call it good.
Old 09-11-2010, 05:57 PM
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I just helped a friend to a 3"rc lift and had the same result. He ordered and installed shims, not better, maybe even worse. So I am making him some t case drop spacers. I am going to be listing these on the forum soon, too. They are alluminum with plastic injected, very stout and will not ever rust, I will be offering these with bolts as a "kit" for sale for $25 shipped flat rate to anywhere in U.S. You can specify and drop from 1/4" to 2", no additional charges. Just pm me. Pics will be of these on the for sale forum early next week with the ad post.
Old 09-11-2010, 06:24 PM
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I just did a 3" lift and a 1" T case drop solved the vibes. But now my T case linkage is binding..
Old 09-11-2010, 07:19 PM
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I had the same prob with my 99 shims fixed it like magic. Didn't want the t-case drop. I did one on my 95. But I don't like the idea of exposing more vitals. I won't do it agean.
Old 09-11-2010, 07:21 PM
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Thanks for the advice, I was thinking tc drop also, when you are doing one do you need to loosen the motor mounts or can you get away with only doing the TC bracket bolts
Old 09-11-2010, 07:35 PM
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bought mine with 4.5 lift i guess it is... has 1 inch tc drop... had a vib from day one i drove... pulled front driveshat other day because one ujoint felt like it might be going bad... it does not look real real bad but its got some slop... but...iI left it out for now just to see how it felt and the vib went away...soooooooooooooooo... just a sujestion.. go yank the front shaft... see if its better... Just a idea...as other one posted.. every xj is tad diferant....
Old 09-11-2010, 07:53 PM
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yeah I felt like it might be in the front drive shaft also but i pulled it today and the vibe is defiantly coming from the rear drive shaft
Old 09-11-2010, 07:53 PM
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I just did the same lift. Same problem... I put the t-case drop in from the get go though.. Still have a vibe. Guy at the local 4X4 shop told me to ditch the shim that RC put on the leaves, and it should fix my problem. Said the pinion and the t-case output should be close to parallel. Within +/- .5 a degree... The shim RC put on rotated my pinion up to high...
Old 09-11-2010, 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 98Plum Crazy
I just helped a friend to a 3"rc lift and had the same result. He ordered and installed shims, not better, maybe even worse. So I am making him some t case drop spacers. I am going to be listing these on the forum soon, too. They are alluminum with plastic injected, very stout and will not ever rust, I will be offering these with bolts as a "kit" for sale for $25 shipped flat rate to anywhere in U.S. You can specify and drop from 1/4" to 2", no additional charges. Just pm me. Pics will be of these on the for sale forum early next week with the ad post.
im the buddy i'll let u know how it goes with a 3/4ths spacer. gunna do this week as soon as 98plum crazy gets a minute. we just did a dinomax manifold on his jeep yesterday so garage was tied up!
Old 09-11-2010, 09:24 PM
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A set of 2 Degree shims + a 1" TC drop should fix it up. Or get in touch with Iron Rock Offroad and get yourself a $199.00 SYE/Drive Shaft kit to fix it right.

Last edited by EvilMaster; 09-11-2010 at 09:29 PM.
Old 09-11-2010, 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by EvilMaster
A set of 2 Degree shims + a 1" TC drop should fix it up. Or get in touch with Iron Rock Offroad and get yourself a $199.00 SYE/Drive Shaft kit to fix it right.
Theres no need for an SYE and shafts with 3in .

Last edited by troy fritz; 09-11-2010 at 09:32 PM.
Old 09-11-2010, 10:53 PM
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Actually, with the later model XJ's it is more common for vibes than the pre-96. Even with smaller lifts.

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