I have a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Classic that I am looking to get a lift kit for I am trying to decide between the following:

Rubicon Express 2 Inch Budget Boost - $259

Rusty's Offroad 3 Inch w/ AAL's and Coils -$265

I am strongly biased towards Rough country, and all those other brands, mainly becasue I have had a Rubicon Express 3.5 inch lift kit before and I loved it.

But I'm stuck trying to decide. I don't want to kill gas mileage, yet I'm worried about the AAL's sagging? My springs don't sag right now, which is surprising considering that the Jeep has 204,xxx miles and spent 6 monthes of the year in Ohio for three years. So which one should I pick?

 

you can buy add-a-leafs by themselves for pretty cheap if they ever sag. i have the 3" rc lift havent had any problems with it so far. had it for about a year. you can get the lift for 235.99 on jcwhitney.

 

I like rough country... then again thats what I have. But I used different shocks

 

Alright def. leaning towards the Rustys Offroad Three Inch Lift kit. I like the cost of it, I have a few questions though. For someone whos never done a lift before how hard would this be for a first timer? Can I do this with some simple handtools and a few jackstands. Is there anything I need that doesn't come with the kit? Would it be best left to a professional? I will be spraying everything down with PB Blaster everyday for weeks in advance, so this goes as smoothly as possible, I hate broken bolts! It sucks when your trying to wrench on something and then the bolt head snaps and your hand seems to graviatate towards the sharpest piece of metal in the area and you get cut!

 

What are my chances of getting a transfer case vib. I def. do not want to do an sye thats why I want three inches of lift or less, I was thinking for the transfer case drop that I just put some poly bushing between the trans plate and the frame? Or is there an actuall way of doing it? I would think being new to jeeps and all that my idea is alright? Let me know I got a job and I want to buy a lift now, I think my dad will let me get it.

 

how hard is a rustys 3 inch lift to install for someone whos never done a lift but may have friends helping him out. what are my chances of vibes after the lift and how do i get rid of them? any help wil be appericated

 

well first off are you leafs sagging at all because if they are i would definitely reconsider the AAL because its only going to be a temporary fix if you get the AAL. yes i know its more expensive to get the full leaf pack but it'll be cheaper in the long run. just my .02

 

no the jeep is sitting perfectly level after 204,xxx miles on the stock suspension. is this going to be hard for a first timer to do? I think the only trouble i would run into is broekn bolts but i will us pb blaster weeks in advanced to avoid this.

 

Well the only broken bolts I had and you probably will have too are the upper rear shock mounts... like a week or so before you start the lift hit all the bolts with PB Blaster each day up until the dissasembly day. it took me a total of 17 hours to put mine one due to the broken/ seized bolts plus i didnt have any help and it was my first time.with the broken shock bolts i had i had to pull up my carpet in the trunk area and use a hole saw to cut into the floor so i could drill the old ones out. it is a tough area to soak with PB Blaster but still try but take it slow. any questions feel free to PM me or just post something anyone on here would be glad to help out. Also have you figured out what your getting?

 

Yeah I have a can of PB BLASTER and I intend to hit all the bolts of the suspension I already had the shocks changed so those bolts should be alright. I start my new job this friday and I plan on buying a Rusty's Offroad 3 Inch with AALS/Coils as it seems to be the best bang for the buck. For tires I will go with BFG A/T'S on the stock Jeep ECCO wheels for now.