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Build or buy... Your take?

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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 10:11 PM
  #1  
Madman's Avatar
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From: Oak Hills
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 K&N, Flowmaster, accel yellow, 703 injectors, SS fuel lines routed through CAI
Default Build or buy... Your take?

I want ~6 inches of lift and a long arm kit.

That said, should I buy one or build one?

Did you buy one or build one?

What price range to buy an LA vs. piece one together?

And I can do the research my own but i would like your take on mixing and matching lift parts, which parts should I buy adjustable?


My take so far:



So help me with a list...

Front:
coil springs
lower control arms
upper control arms
long arm mount
adjustable track bar
drop pitman arm
sway-bar quick disconnects
stainless steel brakelines
shocks
4:56 gears

Rear:
Rear leaf spring add a leaf? S-10? Want 6 inches as I'm running 32s and don't want sag/rub when I tow.
lift shackles and u-bolts
stainless steel brakeline.
Dana 44/8.25
4:56 gears
gear locker


Slip Yoke Eliminator
new driveshaft

I forget anything?



Whew....now on to pricing....anyone want to help? post prices and tell me what to stay away from.
*



was thinking this and adding everything else it does not have:
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_6xla.html



Do you have a better idea?
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 10:14 PM
  #2  
Tural's Avatar
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From: Forest, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

6" is too much. 4.5" , light trimming and 4.10 gears is the setup for 32's.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 10:24 PM
  #3  
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From: Lake Orion, MI
Year: 2008
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 3.0L CRD
Default

those RC LA kits are catching on, big time. same kit i want too.

price wise, most other kits are going to run you at least $1,500 to $2,500. with all the goodies you get in the RC kit, plus they even through in the needed brake lines (which some kits don't and cost more!), you are getting everything pretty much needed. i'd also recommend extended bump stops, which will help keep the coils from bowing out/in/sideways, and depending on your wheel and tire set up from coming too far up into the fender and ripping stuff apart.

as for building an LA from scratch, i'm not too sure. i know the metal won't be cheap unless you know a guy or know exactly what to look for at the scrap metal dealer, and the joints do cost a pretty penny. depending on the route you go with fab'ing one up, you could run probably between $500 to $800 i want to say (if my estimations are right). but if you buy a whole bunch of new parts and mash them together, you'd run the same price, or more in some cases, as if you just bought a kit with everything included.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 10:25 PM
  #4  
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From: IN
Year: 1989 Comanche
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

i built my longarm 4-link for a touch under $600
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 10:26 PM
  #5  
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From: San Diego, CA
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Or you could buy this jeep

http://www.socalultimate4x4.com/inde...5&topic=3081.0
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 10:35 PM
  #6  
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From: WI
Year: '99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.o
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Originally Posted by 89eliminator
i built my longarm 4-link for a touch under $600
I don't know if you have seen his long arm but I would buy it. Its nice and dune right. The price can't be beat! Whatever you do stay away from an add a leaf!! If you feel you have to spend the cash just give it to a homeless guy. If you hall a lot just run air shocks and adjust the air.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 10:47 PM
  #7  
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From: La Habra, CA
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Originally Posted by 89flatblack
haha thats funny i keep seeing that one on craigslist: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1640259471.html
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 11:16 PM
  #8  
Madman's Avatar
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From: Oak Hills
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 K&N, Flowmaster, accel yellow, 703 injectors, SS fuel lines routed through CAI
Default

Originally Posted by Tural
6" is too much. 4.5" , light trimming and 4.10 gears is the setup for 32's.
i NO TRIM TRIM
Originally Posted by DagBMX
those RC LA kits are catching on, big time. same kit i want too.

price wise, most other kits are going to run you at least $1,500 to $2,500. with all the goodies you get in the RC kit, plus they even through in the needed brake lines (which some kits don't and cost more!), you are getting everything pretty much needed. i'd also recommend extended bump stops, which will help keep the coils from bowing out/in/sideways, and depending on your wheel and tire set up from coming too far up into the fender and ripping stuff apart.

as for building an LA from scratch, i'm not too sure. i know the metal won't be cheap unless you know a guy or know exactly what to look for at the scrap metal dealer, and the joints do cost a pretty penny. depending on the route you go with fab'ing one up, you could run probably between $500 to $800 i want to say (if my estimations are right). but if you buy a whole bunch of new parts and mash them together, you'd run the same price, or more in some cases, as if you just bought a kit with everything included.
I dont want to build one, as much as piece one together. Just wondering if it was worth it?

Originally Posted by 89eliminator
i built my longarm 4-link for a touch under $600
As in builT not pieced together...?

Originally Posted by 89flatblack
no thank you.

Originally Posted by CheapCherokee
haha thats funny i keep seeing that one on craigslist: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1640259471.html




I HAVE THE RIG GUYS!

I dont want to trim, id rather replace with fiberglass/remove for rock runs. But thats why im going ~6.5 inch on 32 inch muds
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 11:22 PM
  #9  
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From: Soddy Daisy TN
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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6" will look rediculous with 32s. You could clear them with 4" and no trimming but keep in mind towing will be hard with lift springs since they are typically softer than stock.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 11:24 PM
  #10  
posjeepxj's Avatar
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From: Indianola IOWA
Year: 1992
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Unless you own a welder and know how to use it well, buy a kit. piece everything together is great because you get exactly what you want (i do it because im cheap and can only afford one part at a time) but buying a complete kit with parts engineered to work together is also a good thing
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 11:27 PM
  #11  
Madman's Avatar
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From: Oak Hills
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 K&N, Flowmaster, accel yellow, 703 injectors, SS fuel lines routed through CAI
Default

Originally Posted by Tural
6" is too much. 4.5" , light trimming and 4.10 gears is the setup for 32's.
6 inch will look amazing with 17 inch rubicon rims on 255/75/17s
just .8 inch under 33s with 1.5 inch spacer/adaptors and stock flares/ or fiberglass

So rediculous is not quite what I'd say.
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 11:33 PM
  #12  
Madman's Avatar
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From: Oak Hills
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 K&N, Flowmaster, accel yellow, 703 injectors, SS fuel lines routed through CAI
Default

Originally Posted by posjeepxj
Unless you own a welder and know how to use it well, buy a kit. piece everything together is great because you get exactly what you want (i do it because im cheap and can only afford one part at a time) but buying a complete kit with parts engineered to work together is also a good thing

I don't want to build one, I want to piece one together/ and or buy a kit and go from there. Sorry about the confusion.
So, other than that . . . What ur saying is??? LoL
the same as me?

Buy a kit? or piece one ?

Which would be cheaper?

Where could I save a lot of money!?
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Old Mar 29, 2010 | 11:36 PM
  #13  
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From: Indianola IOWA
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Buy it complete
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Old Mar 30, 2010 | 12:37 AM
  #14  
Madman's Avatar
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From: Oak Hills
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 K&N, Flowmaster, accel yellow, 703 injectors, SS fuel lines routed through CAI
Default

Save 100$ here...
http://iphone.ebay.com/Pages/ViewIte...577172&emvcc=0

now should I stay away from any certain company?
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Old Mar 30, 2010 | 12:45 AM
  #15  
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From: Indianola IOWA
Year: 1992
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none that come to mind. but i havent bought a lift kit before, ever.(i only buy pieces i cant make: tires, coil springs and shocks) Id say your best bet is find 4 that are what you are looking for, then post a poll on here and see how people vote and why. Hopefully you will get good data. i like the way the tnt and the rc looks though
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