I'm working on my 1999 XJ and I had always read that if the fenders are cut and folded that it could easily handle 31 inch tires without a lift. I put some 31s on last week and they fit, but the rear rub on bumps was pretty bad. So I took them off and put the stock tires back on. While taking off the 31s I broke a wheel stud. When I replaced the wheel stud I tried so e TJ wheels with 33s just to see how the backspacing was and it was tucked up in there nice.

Anyway, while I had the wheels off I noticed the leaf spring(driver side) looked almost inverted or fat the very least flat. Nothing in the rear and the jack is under the axle. Does this leaf spring look normal, or is it sagging as I suspect? I want to ru the 31s so if I don't have to lift I that would be great, but need some guidance on these leafs. Thx for the help.

 

Those leafs look shot. A picture of them at ride height with the jeep on the ground would be better. Once the springs start to get inverted (like the picture) they will deteriorate fast and possibly break. You should be able to clear 31s with no lift with adequate leaf springs

Edit: take out that rear away bar, it's doing more bad than good.

 

Looks like a good time for a lift to me being you need new leafs anyway and coils most likely. A Rustys 3" full leaf/coil springs (VG American made ones) lift kit is only $440 complete and a 3" is a good height not to high where a lot of other things are needed to make it work properly. Well an Adj. Track Bar is a good thing to have even with a 3" but they aren't that much either.

IMHO XJ's with about 3" of lift look about the best for a double duty DD/WW combo and still have good highway manners as well off road capable.

 

Mine are starting to curl over too so as soon as I can, maybe next month, I plan on picking up some of these,

http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/97-547.htm

I am hearing these are the same as the upcountry springs and should only give me an inch or a little more lift which is all I am looking for right now, and the price is pretty good too.

 

Keep beating it and weight it down, eventually you'll re-arch them the other way and then you just have to flip them!

 

The problem with that is I'd have to put some 13" tires on it just to beat it down anymore!

 

Thanks to all for the advice and comments. I've kind of decided to go with the Rusty's 3" lift since I was going to have to replace the rear leaf springs anyway at about $200 for the pair. I needed to replace the front bump stops(they are falling out of the tube) so opted for some extended Daystar bump stops as well.

My problem is, a number of reviews really put down Rusty's. Stuff like misaligned product, wrong product, etc. What's the consensus?

 

You will find 99% of those reviews are by people who have never used a single piece of his equipment only what they "Have Heard" nothing more. I can't tell you how many times that I have requested photos of any of these failed items or exact problems, of all those times zero photos and 3 replies that I counted as real issues. Those were with 2 times being joints and I can't remember the 3rd now but I believe some of the members here have has an issue at some time but I've had issues with vendors also. If you do business with someone long enough your bound to have some at some time.

I have not had a single issue with them in 2 years and a little over $5k+ in total purchases. No problems yet...if I do I will post that also I'm shy nor a cheerleader for anyone as I pay full price like everyone else.

IMHO his 3" kit is as good or better than some of the lifts out there. If I had it to do over with the same 3" lift I would do again mainly because of the spring/leaf quality and he gave me a choice of spring weights of 150/180# same cost. I choose the 180# because of my front winch/bumper weight.

I would suggest an adj. track bar with any lift 3" or over just to center things back up under the Jeep so you don't have to re-drill for the stock one. You might need a transfer case drop kit also I used one just to keep things closer to stock on mine before I lifted it more and went to an SYE.

Good luck I do think you will be happy with this lift on your XJ as far as quality and looks once installed.