Hello im new to this forum and shopping around for a good used cherokee (high school student) so i looking around on the internet at suspension lifts and since im on quite a tight budget i found that Rustys has some of the cheepest lifts around i was wondering how nice they are and if anyone is running one i was looking at either a 3" or 4.5" My cherokee is going to a DD so i need something reliable but i also want to be abole to have some fun off road i want to run 31's or 32's so if anyone knows any info about Rustys lifts, what size i should go w/ or if there are any other nice kits I also need to take into account that im am new to working on cars and unless it is rather simple i will need to have it installed. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

 

I have the 3" Rustys on my DD and have not had a problem. I will be going up to 4.5 in about two weeks. If you are on a tight budget I would go with the 3" and some 31's. I am finding out that going to 4.5" is going to need alot more stuff than I thought. Just my .02.

 

I have never heard anything good about Rusty's and know alot of people who started out with them and have switched to Rubicon Express. I myself have never used Rusty's parts so I cant give any personal experiance. I have run Rubicon Express and think its the best there is. Best of luck on your decision.

 

Jeep98b, how complicated was your install thats another thing im worried about and anyone have an idea about how much it would cost to have a kit installed

xj4life2, Thanks for the info i would go w/ a RE lift but i just cant justify putting a lift that costs that much on it is gonna be my first car but thanks man

 

I would go with a 3" if you just want to run 31's or 32's. When you get up to the 4+" of lift you start running into multiple problems and since you are on a budget you probably want to avoid those extra costs.

 

Do the lift yourself, you will save a lot of money that way and you will learn a lot in the process.

 

Do you haft to trim the fenders to run the 32's and if you haft to how hard is it? again sorry i dont know anything about this

 

Slight trimming and bumpstopping will be required to run 32's and a 3" lift.

 

ok i'll haft to ponder this and get back to you guys

kyle, how difficult is a 3" install again i have all the tools thats not the problem im worried about my skill level im just starting to work on vehicles in september i start 2year training to become an ASE certifed auto mechanic (program thru my school) i just dont want to mess anything up ya know

 

its not that hard basic hand tools and a jack and stands will work, but air tools make it so easy! be carefull with the two bolts that hold the rear shock into the body they snap very easy and you cant heat them up because you will burn your carpet. other than that Rusty's make a good lift just stay away from their track bar.

 

w/ the 3" lift would i need anything else the kit includes Coils, new leaf packs, rear brake line extention, shocks, and U bolts. Would i need to drop the T-case or a yoke slip elimnater?

 

About this easy.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/how-install-lift-xj-all-read-238/

 

If you go with the full packs in the rear its not to difficult to do front and rear. You have to unbolt the shocks up front and I think I took the track bar off had someone push down on the brake rotor area and had to use a little force to get the spring in. The rear is fairly simple jack up the jeep put jack stands under the frame rails and undo the ubolts then lower the rear axle til thers no tension on the leaves. Take out bolts from shackle and from the frame mopunt and do the same in reverse to put the new one in. Thats about all I can think of to do. It is not hard. Do it your self try to find someone who has done one its the only way to learn.I did the T-case drop.

 

Kyle, nice thread that really helps a lot very nice picures and good info

jeep98b, thanks man i'll take all that in mind

btw since im still looking for a cherokee are there any common rust areas or things you should look at when inspecting one?

 

i got my 3.5 with 1.5 buget boost from a close club in the used forum for 150 and put the saved money into lca,qd,adj, tb and other misc. stuff if ur close to nj thees a jy in ny that has a lifted cherokee with skyjacker lca and if i et u there i could get it cheap or ship it for ya btw its 3.5 no dd a leaf