NapaJohn

Being that I have access to aftermarket parts at a discount price I decided to piece what I figure will be a 3" lift at a fairly cheap price. I am using ZJ springs for 1-2 inches in the front with 1.75" RE spacers and 3" Rancho 5000's because there cheap. In the rear I am going with the Rancho AAL and 1.75 shackels with a YJ rear brake hose and agian 3" Rancho 5000's shocks . I know its kinda cheap way out but I need to put tires on my other truck and I plan on ordering crager d window wheels and some 31's to go with it. I figure saving the 500 or 600 on the 4.5'' I was going to get will pay for other stuff I need. I have read many threads on Budget Boosts and while im still going to be paying close to 200 for what Im doing I was wondering if anyone had any input on what I am missing or could be doing better. Any input is GREAT Thanks to everyone on here I have learned alot for this forum.

xjbuddy

well It's a great start. but i would consider buying full leaf packs for the rear. AAL are not good at all. from experience when i lifted my toyota back in HS the rear was so bouncy it was horrible and you will regret it from the first day you ride in it. another thing you might want to consider is to get either a TC drop kit or some shims for the rear axle. you might be able to get away with that kind of lift but it varies from jeep to jeep. but mainly do some reaserch, there are many threads on here about what you want to do. more research will answer allot of your questions. GOOD LUCK MAN!!!

mcssls

I just did the 3" rough country with add a leafs and it rides much much much better than stock but that might also come from having 31s under it now. When I hit small cracks in the road before the lift it was a very sharp harsh hit, now it's smooth.

NapaJohn

I was going to go with full leafs I know its much better but for now I figure I can get away with my little rig job for a bit. After doing some wheeling this weekend I realize I need alittle boost so I guess this will work for now. I was hoping to not need the SYE with what Im doing but I guess Ill find out. I do often search and read alot of the threads but I figure some fresh advice is always great. Not to get off topic but the search brings you to so many things that are not really what your looking for, I have looked for many things and really got to dig deep for the proper info and I feel like that is why we get so many of the same threads over and over again. But the -what lift and what tire- thing is really not something that people should be starting a thread on 16 times a day that stuff is kinda clear.. LOVE the forum and have talked to and meet some members in person from here. LOVE the info GOOD JOBS GUYS AND GIRLS.

jeepride

I know what your saying about the search info you have to read through a lot of unnessary info.I have 3 inch aal on mine bought it used it rides good for what it is good luck on your build I work at napa in charleston wv x2 0n good prices lol

NapaJohn

Good for you man I been a store manager for 9 years its not a bad job and the parts arent that bad, just kinda pricey depending on your market. I think my little budget/rig job will turn out good.

ceejay612

if you want to go to 3" on the budget and replace leaf springs get a junkyard pair of 90s dakota 4x4 springs. throw the helper away and use your main spring on your xj only. I used the full dakota pack with 2" shackles and got 5.5" for only $40 from the junkyard. it is a much better ride than my AAL was. a little stiffer but will hold weight when im towing much better.

the ZJ V8 coils gave me 1" when i used them. the ZJ V8 upcountry package will give you about 2". you could try to find TJ front lift coil springs they will give you -1" so find them a little bigger than you want and they are softer than the ZJ springs. or 3" XJ springs, someone always wants to go bigger.

creepers

same set up here 3" rough country 31"s and afordable to

afbond03

I have the ZJ coils up front with a 2in puck. I would buy 3in coils and call it good if I was doing it again. My front is sagging. My rear...I used a RE Full Length AAL and it has held up GREAT for about two years now.
So yes some preach about aal being the devil, and for most I am sure it is. For me, the devil on my Jeep has been using those ZJ coils.

NapaJohn

Great info so far. Thanks

darknezz

Hey I was gonna get the 3" RC lift kit, front coils and LONG AAL, RC 9000 shocks, $318 shipped on ebay. I was asking for opinions in the cherokee tech but never get much responses.

You guys that have it, you say its not that bad? Better ride than stock? Why are AAL's hated on?

darknezz

nada?

gpXJ

I think the main AAL hate comes from those who use the shorter ones. I think the full-length ones have really just come on lately, and I have read from a lot of people who used them and have been happy. The short ones, not so much.

darknezz

ok thx, that kit comes with a long one, theres a $80 cheaper off brand kit that comes with spacers and a short leaf and crapy shocks but I instantly offed that

so any more opinions from people with the RC spring and LONG AAL 3" kit?

NapaJohn

How about the front swaybar links? Will the stock ones work or are discos going to be needed. I know after getting rid of my rear bar I noticed alittle slop in turns. I need this to be a semi dd so I don't really just want to get rid of the front bar all toghter