I agree.... I have been researching the Frankenstein lift and what the Littleton U-pull It has in stock for vehicles. It looks like they have plenty of Dakotas and S-10's for leaf packs and shocks, they have a T-bird for front coils, and other vehicles for the other necessary parts like brake lines, control arms, etc.... May even pull some ZJ disc brakes, leather seats if available, Temp/compass/ auto dim mirror from a GM, and other stuff while I'm at it. Just sucks cuz they don't open again until nearly May...

So you really think 3" with 31's is sufficient and I can pretty much go anywhere I need? I'm not looking to go hard core wheeling... Just to go out camping, hunting, fishing AND 4 wheeling, but not having to navigate huge rocks and need a crap ton of flex...

What lift do you have? I'm debating the RE super flex OR super ride. I suppose with the plans I have I could definitely get away with the super ride, but add in some quick disconnects......

Sorry to bug you, but do you know what I could get away with from the junkyard that would give me the super ride pieces? I suppose I don't really care if its 3" or 4.5", but 4.5" would be better for me as far as aesthetics and how I want it to look, not necessarily functionality of 4.5".... just for looks.... with 31's

My jeep body is in amazing shape, 2 year old paint , and no rust. the thing looks amazing. So I'm not really looking for fender trimming, cut and fold, or anything like that unless I knew it would get done right and not screw up my paint surrounding it. And again, that would more than likely be for aesthetics as well since like I said, no hardcore wheeling needing room for lots of flex....

Thanks for the advice and input!!!!

 

If I could get the body work to come out looking like BigNuge's red XJ, I'd be ok with some cutting and trimming.

 

We just got done putting a Old Man Emu lift on my friends brothers rig. And that is really a great way to go if you can afford 3 grand. But the same results can be had by going to the salvage yard and pulling grand cherokee spring from one with a v-8 an extra 1 1/2" isolator puck above it for the front suspension. I think For you rear building a bastard pack would be good as long as your current springs are in good shape, and using shackles that are an inch longer will turn your pinion up slightly in your rear axle, that with a transfer case drop will be good for the 3" lift in the rear.
You can get exstended brake lines from O'Reilly s for the front and back brakes no need to buy aftermarket lines that are double the cost and rubber lines are just fine for the extra hieght.
I would get a brace that aftermarket companies sell that comes from the other frame rail to help with the extra stress larger tires and steeper angles the steering has on the frame rail where the steering box is mounted. (A weak spot both of my XJ's have frame rails that failed that required extensive repairs) there is nothing wrong with piecing together a cheap lift. In fact there is some gratification that you saved thousands and get the very same results that one would get spending thousands more.
I would go ahead and purchase good shocks the correct length for you lift. Those and tires are going to be your you greatest expense. Dollar for dollar you can't go wrong with Bfg Ko 2s you can get a great deal on them at 4 wheel parts. You also will want rims that are the correct back spacing so they don't rub. You probably can find some from CL at a decent price prior to getting your tires.

 

I'm more of a "how cheap can I go and still get it done correctly & safely" kind of guy. I wouldn't have a problem forking out under a grand for the lift, but I wanna piece together a lift for personal accomplishment satisfaction. My one problem is the tires I have right now are still in really good shape, so forking out a few hunzie on tires will be kinda painful. I suppose I could use the tires i have now for everyday use and put the new tires on some good rims with good backspacing to use when I wanna hit the trail. But then again if those trail trips end up being less often than I'd like due to everyday life stuff, work, kids, etc..., I don't want the new tires sitting in the garage going to waste... Guess I'll have to figure that one out. Maybe sell the ones I have now.... I don't know....

 

Honestly 3" lift and the tires you have would be fine. I remember when I really got hooked on wheeling, it was when we went as a family camping on a labor day weekend. My son in law had a Rubicon and we had just bought a 94 Xj for my son's car. He was almost 15 and that's the car he wanted. But he wasn't old enough to drive yet. The Xj needed a lot of things but ran good enough and we threw on some ok tires that had a little more aggressiveness than a regular tire had. Man that thing was like a mountain goat we went up some crazy stuff for the first time I ever got off the beaten path. So much fun the Xj was stock no lift 30 " tires unbelievable fun. Just saying that you would be better off and just fine running those tires and putting your money into exploring and enjoying the Xj just the way it is. As long as it is dependable. Then in time you can do what you want with it. They are great right out of the box.

 

About 10 yrs ago I had an ‘88 XJ with 3” front spacers, 3” leaf springs, and 31s (I bought it like this). I eventually swapped out the coils and spacers for actual 6.5” coils, 6.5” leaf springs, and 35s, however I was able to wheel quite a bit with the spacers and blocks. I was a little more aggressive in my wheeling then, but I now have a ‘99 on 4.5” and 33s. I love the ride now, and still room for a lot of improvement. I’m totally down to meet some you gents and possibly go wheeling this Summer if this COVID thing ever blows over.

Taylor 🤙🏼

 

Eff the COVID BS...... I'm fairly certain we can wheel without a huge chance of someone getting someone else sick. (Unless someone breaks down and we are all pitching in the help fix whatever is busted. But we can keep it simple and not take chances I guess)

As much as I want 4.5", I may go with a 3" kit and then I can get some spacers and shackles in the future to hit 4.5". And I can start acquiring the proper parts for 4.5" while I'm waiting to get there... like brake lines, SYE, control arms, etc...

I hope to have my lift by mid summer at the current rate we're going.
I could have it next week I suppose, if I just wanted to go to 4 Wheel parts over at S. Federal & W. Oxford, but work is a little slow right now with not much overtime to get. And I would rather work some OT to have the extra cash rather than just forking out the cash.

Speaking of which, does anyone have a good place to get a lift from in town, besides 4 Wheel Parts?

 

Have you looked at High Country 4x4?

 

I'll check 'em out now...

 

Do these guys just do the install? Doesn't look like they offer anything for sale on their website.....

 

They have stuff for sale at their store. I've always found them to be way overpriced though...

 

I bought a stock '99 Cherokee last year. Lifted it 2" with ($150) and spacer pucks up front ($40), new QuadraTech Hydro 7.0 shocks ($140) and 30" tires. The only performance (maybe) mod was replacing stock cat back with Banks Power Monster exhaust ($309). I did this all on the cheap, for looks only. Then I got COVID-bored, and went out to Bailey to Slaughterhouse Gulch loop yesterday. Knew I shouldn't go alone, but ...I was bored. There were 4 uphill sections that as I approached, I knew I wouldn't make it. But I did. I think my height is fine, and can fit 31" tires when these wear out. Now I'm on here looking for other ideas, mostly around a front bumper and winch, and cooling. And wheeling friends.

 

I just talked with a guy in a big a$$ wrangler at the Shell station on Pierce (in Littleton) and he said he has seen A LOT of XJ's do things you wouldn't expect them to do with minor lifts and not having any lockers... I'm stock right now and was telling him I wanted about 4.5" of lift and 31's or 32's, he said I dont have to spend that much $ if all I'm doing it for is to take it to the mountains and off road. He said I can do just about anything on 2-3" and 31's, along with having front sway bar disconnects..... thats the main part! The disconnects play a huge part in keeping the front axle on the ground so both tires are always down, and reducing the chance of one wheel spinning because its off the ground. So I'm probably going to start with 3", then later on when I want another inch or so, start buying the parts I'll need for that, like shackles, front spacers, brake lines, control arms, etc...... the whole gamut... I'll probably stick with 31's because I've always liked the 4.5" lift on 31's look.... plus it'll help with the acceleration, MPG, and cruise control staying put going around the west side of 470....
Oh and the 4.5" lift is for looks now that I've learned I wouldn't need all that to take to the mountains....

I feel like I've seen you around driving..... What neighborhood is that picture in? I'm in Columbine Hills.....

 

I live in Governors Ranch, and AFAIK, I have the only blurple Monstalined Cherokee locally ;-)

I hear you on the disconnects. It is very exciting to pivot side to side with only one front and one rear tire on the ground.

 

[QUOTE= AFAIK, I have the only blurple Monstalined Cherokee locally ;-)

I'd say that's a safe bet....

I have a meeting in a minute but I'm going to post up a pic of my ride, as soon as the pictures make it through to my email.... I just got tinted and it looks great!