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Best lift kit for under $500!

Old 11-13-2011, 04:41 PM
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Default Best lift kit for under $500!

So I have been wanted to put a lift kit on my 96 Cherokee Country. My budget is about $500, not really wanting to go over that.

I want anything from 2"-4.5", nothing bigger or smaller then that.

If you guys can help me out that would be awesome! Thanks!
Old 11-13-2011, 05:22 PM
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I just picked up the zone offroad 3" kit with full leafs. Free shipping. I added multiple other things to my order, but I think the base kit itself was about $500. The kit is made by bds suspensions, which are top notch from what I've read.
Old 11-13-2011, 06:05 PM
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I'll have to check that out...but so far I've found these...

They are in no specific order...

1.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-XJ-Cher...a#ht_593wt_952

2.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-LIFT-KIT-8...#ht_3175wt_952

3.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-3-Suspen...#ht_2545wt_952

4.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Cheroke...#ht_2239wt_952

5.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-2001-Je...ht_2432wt_1185

6.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Cheroke...#ht_3111wt_905

I'm not looking for anything to serious, but any upgrade would be great...


Tell me which number you guys think is the best choice?
Old 11-14-2011, 11:03 AM
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Anyone?
Old 11-14-2011, 11:31 AM
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Stay 3" and under and you will save a ton of money.

No SYE, TC drop, custom driveshafts required (for the most part)
No adjustable track bar (for the most part)
Can still use stock brake lines

You can run 33s on 3" no problem. Just need to trim those fenders. I like Rustys coils. Spring rate is soft, so they flex very well and ride like stock.
Old 11-14-2011, 11:58 AM
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Definitely stay 3" and under its the cheapest way to go. Honestly 3" is like perfect for a budget. Im planing on doing as well in the near future. Sucks cuz i just replaced all my shocks i prolly should have waited to buy bigger ones.
Old 11-14-2011, 12:34 PM
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2" spacers for the front and an AAL or shackle for the back is the cheapest way to go.
Old 11-14-2011, 12:34 PM
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http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...udget_Lift.htm
Old 11-14-2011, 12:45 PM
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Look like you like eBay so look at 2inch spacers for the front you can find them around $35 and then go to you local auto store and pick up some chevy lowering shackles for about 35 bucks. You will be able to clear 31 with out trimming and if you like the trim look you can then trim to fit 32 maybe even 33 I haven't cut mine yet so I can't tell you for sure on the 33. You won't need anything els so for less then $80 would get you started.
Old 11-14-2011, 01:37 PM
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https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bud...herokee-58797/

go to a junkyard and do a 4in lift for under 500
Old 11-14-2011, 01:55 PM
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Do you have a seperate budget for tires or is that included in your $500 limit?
Old 11-14-2011, 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by ol'DixieJeep
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bud...herokee-58797/

go to a junkyard and do a 4in lift for under 500
I'd say go along these lines. I lifted my 1st XJ by scrapping together parts from different places and ended up with a very nice riding vehicle. I had 2" spacers on top of V8 ZJ coils for 3.5" up front, and the top 2 leaves from a stock XJ pack added to my stock pack plus a half inch spacer 3.5" in the rear (Both my original as well as the donor leaf packs were still in decent shape and still had an arch, so don't expect these results if yours are shot). Although it is a very thick pack, it is all the same spring rate so it is no more harsh than stock and felt more controlled. Added some extended shocks (I think they were nitro charged from Rough Country) and it rode better than my wife's stock '98 Explorer, and with such a stout leaf pack it was great for hauling/towing. It's cheap, but very effective, and there was nothing difficult about it.
Old 11-14-2011, 03:05 PM
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Stay at 3" and its easy to stay in the $500 range. I did rusty's 3" coils, bastard pack and JK shocks for ~200-ish. Then you got $300 to take the women out with
Old 11-14-2011, 04:06 PM
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hahah... ebay.... if you MUST go with something offered on ebay () then go right to http://fatbobsgarage.com/ its what i used for my 2" BB. they are great to deal with, fast shipping and no hassle in between!

so anyways, i saw it mentioned on 4Doors post the combo of the 2" BB and ZJ front coils (1.5" over an XJ) for a collective 3.5" as for rear, youve got a multitude of options. if you order the fatbob's kit you get the 2" spacers up front and 2" drop shackles out back, so adding a bastard pack, an aal, or full leaf packs to this will net you anywhere from 2-4" (+/-) of collective lift. BUT, as advised, do be warry of going over 4"! as this is when you start to need driveline and steering adjustments. not to say that these will break the bank. a good SYE is (generally) no less than 500 and this may or may not include a DS.

ways around the cost:
-instead of SYE kit:
~a hack and tap SYE and front DS from another XJ along with 3* axle shims
~combo of TC lowering bracket, axle shims and maybe a front DS

you DONT need an adjutable trac bar! a relocation bracket is all it takes. besides the cost of a new adjustable trac bar, there is no gaurentee ya wont mess it up quick!

ok! none of what i just said is the law, so please take from it what you will and if ive misspoke in any way, please correct me!
Old 11-14-2011, 04:51 PM
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Thanks for the input everyone, I think I'm going to go with this kit...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Cheroke...#ht_2239wt_952

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