I have a bone stock 97 Cherokee and the first thing i want to do is put a lift kit on it (obviously). I was looking at the rough country 4.5"inch complete suspension lift. Are there any other parts that I'm going to need ? I wanna get some advise before I get the kit to male sure I'm doug it right, ease help a fellow jeep lover out !

 

If you get the 4.5inch lift your probably gonna need an SYE (slip yoke eliminator) If you dont get one it'll probably rattle and vibrate. Thats the only part I can think of your probably gonna need for sure.

 

Okay, so is that all I should need then ?

 

Well with the SYE unless it comes with a new driveshaft you will need a new one since the factory one wont work for the rear. You can go to the junkyard and grab another front driveshaft out of an automatic with AW4 and use it or you will have to buy one. If you need more info lemme know theres a couple threads ont he matter. But Id def get an SYE with a 4.5lift. Im actually about to order the same kit you are and an SYE also.

 

alright, thanks ! that really helps, ill add you as a friend and that way we can compare progress when both the lifts are done ?

 

Before you lift, check your ball joints and tie rods, replace if needed. Personally, I would do it regardless if funds allow it. As mentioned the SYE. Cant recall if the RC lift comes with a track bar, you'll need an adjustable track bar to re center your front axle.

 

The series 2 kit comes with the trackbar aswell as the disconnects for swaybar and a few other things. It seems this kit is a pretty complete kit.

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_4x.html

 

im running a 4.5 and no sye you dont need one as long as you do a tcase drop and degree shims in the rear its alot cheaper then a sye and if your lookng at the rough country because its cheaper just remember you get what you pay for my buddy is runnin there 4.5 and it sagged out to about 3 within the year....if i were you i would check out rustys offroad thats what i have and its still sitting true after a year and a half and i stand by there product 110% but thats just my 2 cents

 

As for Rusty's I did look into those aswell. Only thing I dont like from them and Ive seen it first hand is the trackbar. Ive seen far too many of their joints break off the trackbar. If you do a search you will see what Im talking about. Other than that Ive heard good things about Rusty's spring rate.

 

Do you plan on wheeling it, or are you building a jeep that looks awesome cuz its your jeep? Nothin wrong with that, mine was modified with ground clearance for snow storms in mind, it'll rarely see a trail.

Also with any kit you get, spend on full leaf packs and not an add a leaf (AAL).

 

X2
Aal sag as fast as your stock leaves do. Full packs will give you the proper lift amount and last a lot longer.

 

You want a solid 4.5...Look at Rusty or R.E springs..R.E may be questionable since they switched ownership..but they were great in the past! Don't get RC springs, just about everything else from them is fine though!

Heres what I'd do:

Rusty 4.5" coil
4.5" bastard pack..will flex great & last forever without sag. And roughly $100 bucks vs $400 or so for aftermarket leafs..downside is you have to make them which takes a few hours.
RC trackbar
RC long arm upgrade..honestly I would go that route, its cheap & works great.
And then whatever shocks & brake lines you want...lines can be had for 20 bucks look up and find out what works. You can make a great lift that will last forever for cheap if you do it right!

Most full long arm kits are like $2000. You can make one on your own by buying the correct stuff for like $1000

 

No I definitely plan on Taking it off road, after all it is a jeep. All these posts are very helpful, I'm going to keep looking wound and see what I can gather up. Thanks again guys.

 

I would do the 4.5 inch coils bastard pack they dont sag i have them to prove it the long arm upgrade 650 is expensive but i did it and its well worth it rustys IMO sucks theyre joints are horrible and customer service sucks rough country has really stepped their game up and i would recommend them plus if you call them and tell them your a member of cherokee forum theyll give you 10% off

 

Nice looking cherry!