I am really debating getting a lift. it is my daily driver. plus once college starts ill be driving there three times a week (40 miles one way) i was thinking a 4.5 inch and then id be getting 31X 10.5 mts. so my question is how much different will it ride lifted, and how much will it lower my mpg. thanks in advance

 

YES

 

if you only want 31's go with a 3.5" lift. It wont drop Mpg but about 3 mpg.

 

the lift wont change mpgs the tire size and type wil affect it...mts create more drag than street tires..street tires roll freely mts will cause small drop in mpg. i agree with finney if you just want 33s and your not wheeling it alot you dont need 4.5 even 2 in bb will do nice with 33s

 

I'd go with a 3" as well im in high school and i plan to run that set up very soon plus at 3" you wont have to worry about an SYE

 

Hate to break the news but on newer XJ's especially 00-01 models anything over stock may need an SYE and most of the time anything over 2" will need an SYE.

 

well he could get by w/ a T case drop and solve the problem a lot easier at 3" than 4.5"

 

i have a 4 inch lift and i dont need a sye, but my mpg sucks donkey *****.. I have 11.50 tires and a 4 inch lift so yea like 10 mpg :|

 

I must be lucky because i got the 3.5 RE lift on my 2000 and don't have an SYE and i don't get any bad vibes

 

this is for every person that is on the fence about lifting their jeep... DO IT.. Not hard, and not expensive unless you go high.. just get a 3 inch lift and be done with it

 

I have 4.5 and 31's. I regeared from 3.07 to 3.73 with NV3550 Trans. I went from 21ish to 18 with street tires and almost 17 with MT’s. Also I got away without a SYE for 11k miles untill I wore out my front U-joint in my rear ds.

 

I also have a 3.5 RE on my 2000 xj with no vibrations. The reason 2000 and 2001 are unique is that for some stupid reason Jeep decided to put a low pinion dana 30 in. I have a 3/8 transfercase drop. That was installed when i bought the jeep. no idea why. Also I drove this jeep for my daily driver all last summer driving 65-70 miles everyday and 55 mph and managed to get around 16-17 mpg. That was with mud terrains.

 

i have 4.5" of lift for my DD. if you are considering lifting but not sure what you want to do, do a 3"-3.5" lift for your commuter DD. I would suggest a Rubicon Express for a great ride or a Rough Country 3" for a cheaper but dependable lift. Whatever lift you get, get full leaf spring packs not the crappy add a leaf garbage. its a little more expensive but way more worth it. then run 30" to 31" tires, probably AT for that much driving. BFG AT or General Grabber AT2's would be my choice for AT tires.

 

You would be wise to stick with a <4" lift for your application. And with plans to go to 31s a 3" lift would be great. With Rough Country being a good choice for a budget/quality combonation. though if you have the $$ Rubicon Express is excellent stuff, though their lifts usually give a bit more lift than advertised. x2 on getting full leaf packs, it's worth the extra money over add a leafs all day long. I've got the RC 3" kit and I love it! I'm plannin on getting some 31s asap, and with the 235/75/15 radials on there I still get 18mpg in town.

 

did you regear, if you have an auto tranny you should be running 4.56s