I’m buying my first 3.5” lift kit for my 98 Cherokee. I would like to spend between $300-$500. I don’t do any hardcore trails, just camping and kayaking. I’ve been looking at the prices, but not sure what’s the best choice for my needs. I currently have 30's on and getting a little rubbing.

Thanks for the advice

 

I would say look into Superlift and Rough Country. I have a Rough Country 3" lift with new front coils, AAL in the rear and new shocks all the way around on 235's and I LOVE IT!!! Since your not going to wheel you rig on hardcore trails, atleast not right now anyway, I would shy from the Rubicon Express and OME lifts unless your going to upgrade eventually. Now granted the Rubicon Express and OME are top of the line as far as quality and usability. Plus the have a top of the line price as well. Let us know what your gonna do and get us some pics!!! Good Luck!!

 

For RC go over to Naxja and look up GrimusXJ. He works at RC and gives fantastic deals! That's the route if you wanna buy a kit.
If you wanna do it yourself, ther are a ton of ways to do it and save some $$$ for other mods.

1 get some 3" coils used from someone who went higher, pick up some S10 rear leaves and use the main leaf added to your pack. (many other leaves do the same thing. search around)
2 Get some GC front coils (Nagca.org has lots of them) and some spacers for the front, use some XJ main leaves for the rear. (called the rockliz bb)

Any permutation of the two, different rear leaf options such as a comanche rear main spring etc. will get the job done and give you some personal satisfaction as you did it yourself. get a bunch of PB blaster, use it and break out the tools
Merry Christmas!

 

There is always the Bastard pack Budget Lift option..........

 

Kit wise RC is probably your best option...You can get the 3" kit with new coils and leaf packs and shocks for cheap if ya call grimus. Definitely stay within your budget..You might even be able to get the 3" kit with new LCA's for what you wanna spend. Just call grimu sget the price options and go new leaf packs no matter what.

 

I got my eye on the rough country 4.5 lift. It's priced right at under 500 bucks!! From what i've seen that's one of the cheapest 4.5 lift's out there. Could be wrong but look's like a nice buy

 

That's the price of the Add-A-Leaf setup..If I were you I'd save a few extra bucks and get the new leaf packs. AAL setups won't last as long and eventually you will replace them. So may as well do it right the first time around. Not to mention AAL is a pain IMHO to install..

 

Thank's for the imput man. I'm a virgin when it come's to this stuff. Do you know if rough country make's a kit with new leaf packs?

 

yea they do make a kit with full leaf packs personally i just used a bastard pack in the rear and new coils and spacers in the front

 

save your money.

 

I am curious how many of you guys who suggest bastard packs have actually used them? I have granted no on my XJ but on another truck and the ride was crappy. It's a cheap upgrade for a reason IMHO. If you want to do it right just save the cash and buy new leaf packs.

 

I put a main XJ leaf under the main leaf in the pack on my stepdad's 96 (I think Marty of RLF did the same thing in his write-up) and it gave him almost 2" of lift in back- got rid of the sag and helps out with the tools he carries. The ride unloaded is barely different (shocks are about ready to be replaced) and loaded up its MUCH better. The higher the load rating of a truck you pull the leaf out of, the stiffer the ride will be. If I wanted a bit more lift for my stepdad's Jeep, I would rather added another leaf from the donor XJ pack over a single S10 or Dakota leaf, since theyre rated to carry a heavier load, so obviously have a higher spring rate.

 

i used the top 2 jeep springs and bottome 2 s10 springs it rides a little rough but not real bad. and it is a jeep its not gonna be perfect

 

I've done it on 3 now including my current jeep. My brother has the same lift on his 00 xj and his wife (owns a Libby) says it rides as good as the jeep did stock. It's a little better controlled with respect to body roll in corners but not the least bit harsh. If you use an XJ main you will get similar results. Slap an S10 main on or one of several others, I'm sure you will get a more harsh ride. Yes, leaf packs are the primo choice but for those of us who have to be economical, this is an excellent option. BTW after 4 years the tape measure says the same as the day the lift was done. no sagging. I would love to have put a $600 lift on mine when I got it but it was not in the budget for a long time. I used leaves I had from a totalled jeep I bought, bought some spacers from Dirk at DPGoffroad.com and had a lift for less than $80 that met my needs quite capably. $100 later for new shocks from Grimus and I have a competent jeep that rides well. I'm sure I'd be happy if I had gone the big dollar route too. Just didn't want to spend the cash when there were other priorities. Don't disrespect it until you've driven it. I have nothing against the guy who drops nearly a Grand buying a OME 2" lift. If that's what he wants great. I'll ride with him and enjoy his $$$$$ ride and I'm sure he will be impressed with my $180 lift that's the same height. My buddies with CJ's that have 24" of lift and Irok 40's are jealous of the ride
FWIW Jeeps are built not bought. IMHO

Hey OKC your jeep is ID to my first one. Still have a few Gold emblems around and a wheel too. Need any spares?