I have a 98 grand cherokee, 4.0 engjni, everything stock. I want to put a loft on it, big enough to fit a 31-33 inch tire under it. I don't know how much lift I need or the right way to go about it. I'm trying to be as inexpensive as possible but I want to do it right.....any advice?

 

Your probably not going to fit a 33" and keep it inexpensive. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe a 31" needs about 3" and a 33" is like 5-6" or so unless you plan on doing a bit of trimming. I would split the difference and run a 32" with 4.5" of lift which is still going to end up costing a bit of money.

 

Also the rubicon express lifts run a little higher than advertised. Ive seen people fit 32's under their 3.5 lift. If you trim you might could get 33's under there. But RE are expensive lifts

 

ok thanks....do u know anything about this, I baught a jeep mag that had an article on junkyard low budget lifts....basically what it said was to rob the coils off a 1/2 ton suv equiped with a v-8. thus providing a cheap 2 in lift....i assume you would also need the shocks to streatch the extra 2in but is that a wise way to go? or will I wear n tear my stuff up...and would I need to do anything else to accomodate 31s?

 

It will work, but the springs will be super stiff. Shocks arent needed at 2 inch, but for performance they are recomended. You can get BPE shock extentions that work perfect for 2 inches. Cant remember who sells them though.

 

Do you steal all four springs, or just the front and swap stock fronts to rear?

I miss the old wrangler "flip the leaf" days lol

 

so with the 2in from the schock swap how di u suggest getting the rest if the 4.5 to fit 32s? and as the other post asked should u get all 4 1/2 ton springs or swap the front to back with 1/2 ton in the front?

 

I guess go with coil spacers then and thatll get you 4 inches total. But then youll NEED new shocks, an adjustable track bar, a t-case drop, break line extension, might want to re gear for biger tires (not needed but is nice for mpg and power) you also might need an SYE, not sure the that one. 3 inch is much simpler, when you go 4 is when you need all the crazy new stuff.

 

so then with a 3in can I just do the spring swap and use spacers? and then what's the biggest tie I can accomodate w/o any rub? ive heard that when u run spacers u also run risk of them popping out on u...any opinion there? this will be my first expierience with a lift so I know virtually nothing lol.and I dont want to get to much into it mainly for cost but also im not going thru too crazy of stuff. looks and your basic noryhern michigan 2 tracking kinda stuff...and I don't think any one posted on the question of getting all 4 1/2 ton springs or doing a front to back swap and replacing fronts

 

Still dont know about the springs with front and back stuff, but at 3 inches all youll need is springs and shocks. Never herd of them poping out though. Im about to go 5 inches on my Xj and im using 2 inch spacers. Tire size you would easly fit 31s and could stuff some 32s in there.
Also look on craigslist or the for sale section here, you can probably get some new or used grand cherokee coils/shcoks for your lift.

 

If you wanna run 31s get yourself a 2-2.5" Budget Boost (spacer kit). No fender trimming required. You can run 35s at 4.5-5" of lift and fender trimming.

I am at almost 4" of lift and can run my 34" LTBs and all I had to do was trim my front bumper and pound back the pinchseam in the front fenderwell.

I would say do the front to rear swap. Take your front coils and put them in the rear netting you ~3.5" of lift. Then buy new front 3.5" lift coils. Here is a kit with the basics you will need.
http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...egory_Code=PFZ

 

Go with what he says, i have an XJ not a ZJ so he'll know more on this than i will.

 

thanks for the advice everyone, anything brought to the table I'd more than I have myself....but what's the deal with trimming as in how do u do it and does it cause rusty or anything, the invests wheel wells and various info on that would be great too...thanks

 

whats your budget?
after you drive aroubnd and get everything from junkyards and if you don't lengthen your control arms it'll ride like hell. your better off getting this kit http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_zj_3.html
or go with this one
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_zj_4-900.html
if you decide to go with the first one, select v8 as your engine, you'll get a bit more lift to help with the 33's trimming your fenders not only helps, but looks way better

 

ok but I still dont know how to trim them and other stuff like what happens witj the inner wells, risk of rust and how to prevent it, various other small details like that