eicherjw

Hey guys,
I just got my jeep back on a salvage title and I feel as though its time to make it a wheeler. (I got hit by a semi-truck) I've repaired the mechanical and body damage but I have no clue what I would need to lift it.
Any input on parts/brand names ect would be awsome.

I want to give it a 6inch or so lift with 33" wheels, I know i need a slip yoke for the drive shaft but that's about it.

Does anyone have any suggested name brands of lift kits and anything else I should consider? I've had friends tell me I should get axel upgrades for my dana 30/35 aswell, is that needed?

Thanks,
Josh

eicherjw

Oh, its a 2000 4 door jeep cherokee sport, 4x4 with a straight 6.

Kelso

You dont need a 6" lift to run 33's. Is it going to be a dedicated wheeler or stay street legal?? 33's can be run on 4" lift or (much much) lower.. at which point you may or may not need a SYE, but do read up on bump stops and fender trimming.

There are so many brand options for lifts its ridiculous. Long arms are the only option for anything serious above 3". Check out iron rock offroad, claytons, rough country, rustys, local oregon company -OFF ROAD COMPONENTS, etc.

Most importantly, what is your budget??? Are you willing to bust out the sawzall and/or acknowledge that low center of gravity is a huge benefit??

I think that most will agree a true dedicated wheeler should eventually get at least axle shaft and gear upgrades on those dana 30/35's

jeepjerry

Rough country. The best bang for your buck.

eicherjw

Kelso,
I want a 6" lift because I want the jeep to beable to get down the "blocked" off logging roads that I hunt down By blocked I mean they put in 4 foot tall drifts to stop people from going down them. I live in washington and they have laxed laws for lifted wheelers to be street legal. If worst comes to worst I can always tow it with my tundra. I was planning on getting upgraded 35 kit from rusty's and a regear kit. I just don't know what would best suit me.

Jeepjerry,
I was informed from a 4x4 shop that rough country was a bottom line lift kit. They recommended skyjacker. I know nothing about the quailty of the brands.

wiggles

Rc is sort of a bottom line but its not bad parts, with skyjacker u are paying for a name basically so u will literally spend twice as much for something that isn't that much better

Kelso

^^ DUDE

"Tank traps" are put there for a reason. If you're crossing them, most likely the land you are accessing is posted against hunting and/or public access by a federal or local agency...I think I'm done lending advice for that reason....except that skyjacker is way overpriced, and they are probably VERY comparable to rough country... especially when considering price..

jeepjerry

Rough country had kind of a bad rep quite a few years back, but their quality has improved greatly over the past few years. I've installed 2 rough country lifts on friends XJ's and they are completely satisfied. Ive also put a rough country lift on my Jeep Wagoneer and it is nice stuff.

eicherjw

Kelso/jeepjerry
It's anti-hunting terds that actually put the drifts in. WA game warden told me that little nugget of info. People in WA are so anti-hunting it would make your head explode. I'll look into rought country lifts again, what about upgrading from my dana 30/35? Also, what gear ratio should i consider?

Thanks

Kelso

Interesting, where in WA are you from? As for the dana upgrade, leave the front alone and look for a dana 44 or chrysler 8.25 in the junkyard on a wrecked XJ and you're set

jeepjerry

We put a rough country lift on my moms '99 cherokee back in about '03. Both front coils broke in '09. The redesigned RC springs now are much better.

If you want to run 33"s, dont put a locker in the d35. The d35 will handle 33"s to an extent but is a fairly weak axle. Ive wheeled the d35 pretty hard on 33"s. Ive also run 35"s on a d35 without troubles, but i know its going to fail so im swapping a d44 into the rig. I say build the jeep how you want it, run 33"s, and just keep an eye out for an good chyro 8.25 or d44 that matches your gear ratio.

eicherjw

Sadly I live on the west side, bothell Area. I grew up in New Hamsphire and when I was in the military, stationed in Moses Lake (where a majority of my hunting/off roading friends live). I mostly hunt on the eastside of the state. I find west siders to be self centered ****** that do nothing but ruin everything they come in contact with. What year cherokee's had dana 44ystler 8.25s?

jeepjerry

Lol...Kelso beat me to it.

jeepjerry

87-90ish XJs had d44's optional. A lot of 91-up 4.0 powered xj's had the 8.25 axles. Just google the shape of a d35 diff cover vs. a 8.25 diff cover and you will be able to find one. The d44 has a much different shape than both of them.

eicherjw

is the D30 alright for 33"s? I might move to 35"s tires, I just like the look of a gap between the wheel and fender.