Brian

Hi there,

I have a few questions/concerns about a lift kit choice and need your opinions.

So I was thinking about getting a 5.5" RE long arm kit, but the cost is killing me!
Also I am nervous about the long arms because of other parts I have installed.
Would the parts I have still be able to be used.
Like my;
Warn T-Case Skid plate
&
Rock sliders.

My rock sliders attach to the unibody where the mounts for the long arms kits look like they would go?
Here is a pick of my sliders on / off the truck to see mounting.






I was thinking of just getting the 4.5" RE lift to just make life easier and cost less.
I know that will not change anything with my sliders and skid plate.

Basically I want to know what lift will clear my 33” tires with my Bushwhacker flares?
I would like a kit that comes with Trackbar (mine is bad)
Brake lines, and full leaf pack. No add-a-leafs or blocks.

I currently have a 2.5" spacer in front and drop shackle in rear.
when I disconnect my swaybar disconnects my front tires rub terrible and I am worried about ripping my flares off. lol
I know 2.5" of lift is way under for 33" tires.
thats why I want to upgrade now.

I want to be able to clear my 33's without rubbing at all if possible.


Any help, helping me find the perfect lift kit I would be grateful.


Here are some of my current flex shots with the 2.5” and OME front shocks.








here is how she sites on flat ground.

TrapperScott1211

Go with the RE 4.5.....it has everything you need......and your bushwhacker flares will only help even more

firstxj

X2

Brian

thanks.

Thats good to here

it does have everything I need and @ just around 1200 it looks like the best value.
(for everything that is)

But wait???
Does it come with shocks?


I have read good things everywhere about them.

Also any thoughts on the Rubicon Express 5.5" extreme duty lift kit? It comes with control arm relocation brackets.
does anyone have any pics on how those connect?
I like the look of that kit as well, but I worry about brakets and my Rock Sliders.( so seing it mounted would be helpful)

Also do either of those kits come with shocks?
It does not say they do so I am to assume they do NOT!.

what type of shocks does everyone recomend?

My friend keeps talking about Mono-tube shocks.

are thos what works best?
What are some good brands on shocks?


thanks for your opinion and helpful tips.

johnferg69

If you order the RE kit from 4x4groupbuy they include shocks but shipping is high. For me it would have been about $150

I went with the RC 4.5 X series lift. Its not on the web site but heres a run down of what you get for $800.
Front coils
Rear leaf pack
Shocks (upgradeable for $25)
Adj upper control arm
Adj lower control arm
Adj track bar
SS front and rear brake lines
Quick disco sway bar links
T-case drop down bracket

RC's shipping rates were alot cheaper and the 10% discount for NAXJA members more than covered it.
Now I have to save lunch money for tires

Cherokee 4.0

nice looking xj

Brian

thanks for the help bro.
Some other XJ owners I talk to say they dislike the adjustable lower control arms due to strength, but I think they are both a good idea.
They do help adjust pinion angle where there is no other adjustments.

A few other things about that kit is why does it need a T-Case Drop bracket? I have a SYE and Tom Woods drive shaft in the rear.
So do you really need the drop bracket?

Also people say RC is just that Rough and that the rear leaf springs sag.

But this is all here say that I have heard.
I have no personal experience with there stuff at all, and others swear by it..

I am just trying to make the best educated and researched desission I can for what I need.
and all this input and advise from you guys really is helpingt me.

so thank you.


Thanks bro.
In my eyes to be the way I want it I have to put the 5th spare tire on once it comes in. (I have a 5th matching Cragar rim to)
And to lift it a bit higher.

I was also thinking about talking to a buddy of mine and having him help me make a bolt on stinger. lol

but when is it ever really "Done" or "finished" haha


later man

Cherokee 4.0

I love rough country

If you have a sye and tom woods driveshaft you probably wont need the transfer case drop

huntingman2706217

wow u got a SYE on a 2.5 lift? I want ur job/bills... lol

johnferg69

Ditto on what Cherokee 4.0 said about the T-case drop-down bracket.
Its a 'use it if ya need it and hope it helps' item but you already have your bases covered with the SYE.
You know what they say about opinions!! Your not likely to get a 100% concensus? about anything on a forum. I know the RC leafs are alot better than my factory leafs that are going on 20yo. Now AAD, I wouldn't have spend money on.
If your interested in the RC lift, you have to call to order since its not on the website yet. Part # 633X I believe it was.

Brian

That what I was thinking.

Well I do have a good job and a few bills, but thats not why I have a SYE lol

I had a 96 Bronco I bought for 1500 and cleaned up and sold for 3000.
then I saved 2k and bought this jeep for 5000.
It had pretty much everything done that you see.
the previous owners parents bought it for him as a graduation gift.
they paid 9000 Buy-It-Now off of Ebay from WI.
that was in 2007 with 78k miles.
the kid had to move to FL this year and needed it gone.
he had 6000 on the price tag, but I talked him down to 5000 and had him replace the front u-joints and drivers side wheel bearing.
it had 106k then and it was his DD and he bearly took it off road.

Once I got it I bought 5 NEW tires, replaced front driveshaft, changed all fluids, replaced sway bar bushings, cleaned it up and painted it (black areas lol), replaced and painted rear hatch.

so thats the story.

I wanted a jeep cherokee that had some work done to it to save me time and money!

from what I see it is a cheaper way to go as all this stuff is big bucks lol.

the guy who sold the jeep for 9k was the one who did all the work to it.

it has a ton done, but stuff still needs to be done.

it even has the speedo gear so my speedometer works correct for 33's

Yeah true, my stock springs totaly stink! haha

thanks for the part number my friend!

EndlessMtnFab

You should not need 4.5 inches to clear a 33 inch tire (with the use of your Bushwacker flare).


I would consider a 3.5 kit (with extra parts if you want to upgrade) in order to keep the center of gravity lower.



IMO ... that's just a lot of wheelwell for a 33 inch tire.




Joe

Brian

well the bushwacker flares actualy hurt more than they help in some cases. lol
Since they are wrapped under you cannot stuff them as good.

I was debating on cutting mine in under there.

but havnt been able to see anyone else who has and if they liked it. lol

huntingman2706217

on the long arm setup and your sliders... this past episode of "Cheap" cherokee they installed a long arm rustys kit on the front but they already had sliders... they had to notch out either the lift brackets or the slider brackets... i forget which but they made it happen... i recorded it so if you really need to know i can play it back... its probly on u tube or something anyway...

Brian

yes thank you.
I have that saved on my DVR as well.
I watch it every weekend

Thats why I asked about that.
if there was a kit that did not interfere with the sliders and I would not have to mod the kit.

I saw a kit that looks like it would work, but I cannot remember the name.

it used its own t-case cross memeber and 2 bolts on each side.
but you also had to weld the brackets front and rear and I didnt like that.

you cant remove it after that!