Hey fellas, I have a 98 XJ and was trying to figure out if I should build a 4.5 inch lift kit piece by piece or buy one complete already? I've been adding it up and it may look like getting a kit would be the way to go. But on the other hand I could save a few bucks if I go with an S10 bastard pack in the rear, yj brake lines up front, 92 Dakota rear brake line, and relocate the trac bar. I bought a set of 5 Rubicon wheels off Craigslist for $150 and am running 265 75 R16 (its about a 32" tire I believe)Do I need a SYE or Hack n tap? Can I go with a smaller kit and still keep my tire size a 32"? Will I have to trim the fenders?Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...

 

If you can make your own and be sure that it will perform well then why not.
But if you want to have one without hassle and ready to install then its best to buy one.

 

My opinion is buy one. U know your getting quality and it will save you time and stress. Every time i tried to take the short cut or a cheap way it always cost you in the long run

 

I would also say buy it. If you can afford Rubicon Express, get that. Lol.. I like your username btw. My fam is from Mexico and I lived there for 6 yrs.

 

You can't exactly go cheap for 4.5" That being said; at least don't skimp on the important stuff.
Get 4.5 springs not 3" and a hockey puck.
Get an adjustable trackbar.
You will need that sye. (or you can H+T)
Fender trimming is not always necessary.
As for the leafs thats a matter of opinion with some.
Here's some write-ups on leaf packs:
Click
Click
Click
Click

Hope this helps..........

 

buy for sure.... i may be new to the cherokee forum but i have noticed that there is a lot behind how a lift set up. if you are looking to go 4.5 inches make sure to invest in a S.Y.E kit and a CV drive shaft : ]
good luck man! i cant wait to lift mine!!!
its between a 4.5 inch rough country lift kit or a rubicon express 3.5 inch lift kit
cant decide yet either or. but i am positivie that i am gonna do a 2" coil space lift w/ matching 2" rear shackles
if you dont mind kind sir would you be able to elaborate (spelling) on the "hack and tap" S.Y.E kit if you dont mind i really dont know the difference between the S.Y.E kit and the hack and tap

john

 

SYE: "Slip Yoke Eliminator" kit:

Hack 'n tap:
LINK

 

Thanks for the info guys. Any ideas on which kit is a good one? I hear great things about RE but 1049 bucks is quite a bit. How does RC or Rustys compare? I havent heard so many good things about rusty's but Let me know what you guys think. Maybe RC is the way to go.

 

I installed the RE 4.5 superflex this past summer and I have wheeled it pretty hard at times. I went on a 2 week trip through the Rockies in Boulder, CO and I could keep up just fine with my brothers 85 toyota pickup that he has been working on for years. I have not had experience with RC or Rusty's but the RE will not let you down.

 

my buddies stand by rusty's and mine will eventually be lifted with rusty's also

 

I'll keep searching the site to get as much info as possible. Thanks for the links. they are very good.