im looking to fabricate a long arm kit for my xj. or am i better off buy a kit? and which is more cost effective if some knows

 

check out my build i did on my 88.
http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php...ght=long+build
i was just a little over $220

 

x2 cost wise build one. mine cost about 400 but that left me with enough tube and half the joints to 4-link the rear end too
it also allows you to make the kit fit YOUR jeep and not one made for any jeep and make little changes to it.

 

you cant just weld mounts to the frame though. i plated my frame both inside and out to handle the stress. i have about $600 into mine but thats a full 4-link with johnny joints. 2" 1/4 wall DOM tubing and limiting straps.

 

where is a good place to look for coils and leaf at?

 

google

 

what a good lift size for 33" like to play in the rock this is my first xj

 

im running 33s on a 5.5 inch lift easily, but thats because i plan on going to 35s after these tires die. ill end up doing a bit of trimming of the fenders though.

89 eliminator were you referring to the front or rear when you mentioned welding on brackets and plating?

 

check mine out i have 130 bucks in mine with RE joints and bushings

 

Front...

 

I got 33's and a 4.5 RE lift. With a little trimming I'm thinking ok going 35's.

 

i made a new t-case cross member for mine and put brackets on it then im adding bolts on the side that will go thru the frame rails to distribute the stress. much better than just welding on brackets

 

If you weld on brackets, they have to be welded on to a long plate and that welded to the pseudo frames we have. And if you are going to do that, run the plate under and around and up the frame in front of the firewall a little, You will never rip that out without destroying a few other things in the process.

 

I think if you have the tools, the time, and the know how I say build one. I built a "mid arm" I guess you would call it on my 89 (about 8,9 years ago, before there was even a long arm kit for a xj). I removed the lower brackets and rewelded them to the "frame" a little further back, built new lower arms and new uppers that attached in the stock location. I ran skyjacker 8" springs with 1" spacers and 35's with lots and lots of fender trimming. I could have easily ran 38's. The lift worked fairly well, but I wished that I would have gone all the way with full long arms. I have since sold that Jeep and am going to be buying another one in the spring. I'm thinking about going with the www.ironrockoffroad.com kit, or possibly the the full four link kit from http://froehlichsuspension.com/

 

i just made a new cross member on mine and have it all done except the upper arms and it was easy. the crossmember is similar to the one that clayton offroad makes except mine has more bolts holding it on. i made that and the arms for about 250ish. im not a fan of welding the tabs for the front arms onto the frame rails