Weighing cost/benefit of more lift on my XJ?
 

So I just checked my mail and I found a $150 grad present from my folks down in AZ.... good stuff.

As it turns out, I just priced how much a 4" lift would cost me to install on my XJ (This is a dangerous pricing... I "assume" all will go to plan and I'm not missing something.) and guess what? It runs about $150 to do the lift.

My ol' 2" AAL is sagging in back so I figure it's time for a fix for that... but while I'm there why not upgrade it?

SOOO.... To lift or not to lift?

I know most everyone here knows the benefits of lifts, so I'll just list what I plan to include with this lift and also my forseen cons:

Plans:
- Run full shocks all around for it and extend my brake lines
- Use old rear swaybar bushings for BPE's front and back.

Cons:
- Potential driveshaft issues arising in the future? More money than I really want to spend?
- I could spend that $150 towards getting my XJ painted all one color (See link: http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...totypebase.jpg)


Okay, so that said.... anyone want to help guide my decision making process here?

well you can get away with slightly less in the back since they have a small rake like 3.5 in back and 4.0 in front should help avoid the vibs some and will sit level :cheers:

a one color jeep would be cool though hard to decide :)

$150 will buy MORE than enough paint to do this too :brickwall:

if it was me i would do the lift first after seeing where you wheel it will be more beneficial

Here's where I wheel:


Try not to pay too much attention to me stalling.... Clutchwork is a CONSTANT learning experience.

Still, the paint thing would be REALLY nice to have... I could buy myself some new passenger doors (dented now) and a new liftgate (hole... from wheeling) for that much.

do you have longer control arms up front? if not you might have problems with your front axle being pulled off center from the wheel well, I think 3" is the max lift for stock control arms. Might want to think about that, new control arms add to the price of the lift. As for the rear, a transfer case drop kit would be adequate to keep the vibes down on a 4" lift.

yeah the wall looks cool and lift is the answer with that kind of wheeling it would not take long to ruin that new paint :cheers:

I just want to straighten the body work and rattle can the whole thing to keep the rust away.

After watching the videos of where you wheel I say lift it. Paint would be in the back of my mind. Do the rattle can deal.

Rattle can paint is only about $20 to do the whole truck (Just rattle canned my 1984 4-Runner), so lift it AND paint it. I'm sure you can scrounge up another $20, but I say go for more lift. I just did 3" and before I was done installing it decided to go 4.5"...
More lift = better (up to a point, I guess).

I honestly do not see the need for more lift for what you are doing.
I cannot imagine doing a 4" lift for 150 bux.
I'd buy a d30 diff cover and gear oil with $150 and call it a day.
Or, put the $150 in your sock drawer and add to it over time...

For reference, 2.5" lift and terrain pic's...
http://members.cox.net/huddy31/039.jpg
http://members.cox.net/huddy31/040.jpg
http://members.cox.net/huddy31/rockfacesmall.jpg

I guess the pics go to show it's not about the lift, it's about the driver. How does a 4" lift only cost $150 to install? That seems really low, doesn't it?

Edit: Also, if you do put more lift on, you'll probably want bigger tires, which means more money than what you had originally.

and bigger tires on a 5spd means regearing...
it seems it's always a situation of "if I do this, then that needs done..."

Please get your XJ painted one color