Hello all. Ive been reading these forums for a while now but this is my first post so Im sorry if i sound a little dumb. Anywho, I just got a 2001 XJ sport. I pretty much know what I want to do with it but need some advice from you experts.

At first I was planning on the 3.5 RE but now im leaning more towards 4.5 RE. I dont do any serious off roading but i am an avid hunter and fisherman so I do use it pretty frequently. I'd like go 4.5" with either 32s or 33s but my question is...how much trimming would be involved and what else would i need to do(im still trying to figure out the whole backspacing concept...)?

As of right now, everything is stock on my XJ so am i going to need new axles? Also can someone explain to me what an SYE is? Thanks alot guys and sorry for all the questions but i am new to all of this(never installed a lift before ). This is just getting started so im sure i will have many questions to come...

 

ok 4 the lift i would go with 4.5 if anything and the axel i would go with a ford 8.8 idk about the front axel

 

Leave it but add alloy axles and stronger u-joints.
SYE is a slip yoke elimnator which is added to the rear of your transfercase to eliminate the vibrations that are created when you put a lift on and increase the driveline angles.

 

i run 4.5" with 32's and didn't need to trim on my 2000. it's a great setup for an all-around vehicle IMO

 

Exactly 4.5" and 32" will work great. Especially for a hunting camping rig. May or maynot need the SYE, all XJ's are different. Just add bumpstop and you'll be good.

 

Bumpstop?...could you elaborate on that for me a little...sorry but this is all new to me and im tryin to learn all that i can. Also, as for the wheels...any suggestions? Im gonna go with BFG ATs and i was thinking maybe some American Racing 15x8s? Sound good? Anything special i would have to do to change out to these wheels?

 

There's a 95% chance that he will have vibes with a 2001 xj and 4.5" lift. The newer ones are prone to vibes...ALOT.

Here's an sye kit:

http://www.performanceoffroadcenter....adecc150b6a574

See the nice shiny part on the transfer case? That's where the sye kit goes:


You will need a new driveshaft with 3 joints. This is called a double cardian CV driveshaft.
Read up here for some info:
http://www.4xshaft.com/index.html

Do you know what rear axle you have? It's either a dana 35 (oval with rubber plug) or chrysler 8.25 (oval but with flat bottom). You will probably not have to change out axles with 32 or 33" tires if you have the 8.25 axle. It can handle them easily. As for the front axle, it should be fine.

 

Bumpstops are those rubber dingy things inside the coil springs and on the top of the frame rails above the center of the leaf springs. They stop uptravel at a certain point so tires do not contact fenders. You increase bumpstops, using hockey pucks or longer rubber bumpstops, and this will decrease your uptravel. So when you see that large rock in front of you and can't control your temptation, you can flex on it without the tires rubbing all over the place and ripping off your fender flares.

Most of us use hockey pucks like this:



Inside the coil springs bolted down. Each are 1" thick so you can fine tune it to your preferences.

 

X 2 with an 01, your flares WILL pop off, if not bump stopped properly.

 

32" all terrains would be a good setup, you could run those on a rubicon express 3.5" lift, i actually would suggest taht since you dont seem to be much of a crawler. get an upgraded shock like OME, RE mono tubes, or bilsteins if you want a good ride... the RE twin tubes that are the base shock for RE lifts kinda suck on road.

The driveshaft/SYE conversion youre looking at bout $500.

Id highly suggest sticking with the 3.5, because htat way you may not even need the SYE/CV shaft setup, though it i very likely you will.

Take a pic of your rear axle and post it on here, if its a dana35 you gotta be careful. If its a 8,25 then its a 29 spline axle and that is a very stout axle, but being that you have a 2001, you will have whats called a "low pinion, forward cut" front axle, and they suck. They have bad ground clearance and also have weaker gears.

Give that you dont plan to regear ( i assume), your front is an LP30, your not a serious offroader i would highly suggest the 32" all terrains you were looking at. Id also go for a 3.5" lift too.

my 2 cents.

BTW i have a 4.5" rubicon express on 32" mud terrains and lots of trimming

 

Not a serious offroader why even go 32 or 33's stick with 3.5 and 31's. With the 3.5 you shouldnt relaly need the sye/driveshaft combo. You can easily do a 1 inch t-case drop. And all that is, is 1 in spacers on under the crossmember easy upgrade. With the 4.5 you are starting to get in the area of replacing sway bar links, trak bars, your control arms and what not. Just trying to save you some money. If you want it just more for looks and not worrying about the offroading then even Rubicon Express could be taken out of the picture and you could look at a more reasonable set up like Rough Country. If you did go with a bigger Rough Country lift you would have the extra money for a SYE if you decided.

Probably confusing you so check this link and let us Know what post number you like best lol.

This will give you an Idea of the height and tire size you want your XJ

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/xj-lift-tire-setup-thread-260/

 

So if I were to go with the 3.5" lift and 32s, as some of you have recommended, how much would i have to trim(I dont plan on doing any crawling)? Would I still need the SYE, driveshaft, and new rear axle? Sorry for all the newb questions but im trying to take in all the info i can...

 

Okay with a NP231 it is reccomended to use a sye for anything over a 2in BB. For a 242 t-case it is reccomended to run a sye for anything over 4.5 I think. If you do NO crawling you don't have to trim. But why spend so much on a RE lift then kind of a waste ya know. What makes you want the RE so bad and your not even gonna wheel?

 

If you aren't doing any severe off roading or crawling, your current axle will hold up.

 

Some people prefer the best i guess. Like they say "do it right the first time". And RE is definitely right.