James Bonar

Hi you guys, first time post... Just bought my first XJ almost a year ago ('01 60th anniversary edition)

I have a budget of $2500 and want to know whats the best i can get in terms of a lift, tires, and wheels, that aren't from a junkyard. I dont want to go too high with it, maybe 3 inches, and im thinking 31x10.50's, to avoid issues like driveline vibes and regearing

Rustys has a 3 inch aal kit/wheel/tire combo for $1225. Any one used them and did you like them? that would leave me with a little extra, like for some sliders or a front bumper... I think a winch, and real off roading, will come after grad school, when I have time, and a real job... and more $$

There is also a shop near me (PDX) that quoted me $700 for a rough country aal 3 inch kit installed. is that an ok deal? I am pretty mechanically inclined, but lack most of the tools, I would need some help putting this thing in myself.

thanks!

andrewmp6

I would skip the add a leaf lift for full leaf springs in the back,I would skip rough country fully they are the cheapest lift and known to ride rough.The rustys one what tires and rims are in the kit ?Sometimes those deals like that rusty ain't if you shop a around more.And for rims and tires look on summit racing they carry both.

Guywitha92

Look at rubicon express super ride kit and something like the general grabber at-2 tire

James Bonar

There is a 3 inch rustys kit that includes full leaf packs. and the tires that come with it are either Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ, Cepek fun country, or Cepek extreme country... not too fond of the MTZ's as I like to ski and they seem like they would be no bueno on the snow pack.. and the kit comes with some black steelies too. that kit is $1450

Jeepification

OME-XJ3 kit from jeepin outfitters is what I went with. Over 5 years later, zero sag, great ride and decent flex. It's a little more than the rest but you won't be replacing it all after 2 or 3 years.

investinwaffles

Old Man Emu is a quality kit. Another top notch kit is the Metalcloak 3.5" kit, both are pretty expensive but literally the best on the market.

The RE 3.5 SuperRide is another good, lower budget kit. Avoid add-a-leafs in the rear, it makes the suspension really stiff and bouncy. The RE kit is under $600 from Summit Racing, this is probably your best option.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rex-re6025

Most 3.5" kits you can get away with a transfer-case drop but to do it properly a Slip-Yoke-Eliminator ($200) and a new rear driveshaft are the proper way to do it. You will ruin your motor and trans mounts over time with a t-case drop which makes it not as cheap in the long-run.

You will need;
Adjustable Track bar;
http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10215.html

Sway Bar Disconnects (JKS is expensive, but the only kit that doesn't rattle like crazy in my experience).

Probably an SYE + Driveshaft (you can use many Jeep front shafts which are cheap at the junkyard, or get a custom shaft from Tattons or Adams Driveshafts)
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/add-50-7906

Also, longer bumpstops in the front and rear are a good idea. I think the RE kit includes extended brake lines, but those also would be required.


Tires, the General Grabber AT2's are really cheap and great on/off road tires. The Grabber X3's just came out and are a more MT biased tire.

James Bonar

Thanks for all the help you guys! I think I am leaning towards the trailmaster 3.0 inch lift with full leafs, new control arms, shocks, and all hardware from 4WD ($580, free shipping). it seems like every other kit is either too expensive or missing something... I have noticed a lot of 3 inch kits are missing something like control arms, or U bolts, or shocks.. The metal cloak kit looks amazing, but its just out of my budget, I would need an sye for sure, and its kinda hard to justify such an amazing, expensive lift when your wallet looks like a kid from the Philippines...

I am going to install this myself to save a few bucks too.. currently a very poor med student... the metal cloak lift and 35's will come in another 3 years or so..

Also, the guys at 4WD really tried to sell me on the Pro comp xtreme MT2's... any reason for this? are they super great? I am looking at the grabbers, kelly safari TSR, duratrac's, and STT pro's... any one ridden these? how did they do in the snow (deep and packed)?

dans98xj

I was just reading you last post. I see that you want to lift your jeep which is cool, but if you are going to lift it again in a few years why not wait and save the 2500 that you have now and put that towards the lift that you want instead of doing a lift now then 3-4 years later do it all over again. It is a lot of work and money to do the lift even with a $2500 budget you could run that dry getting extra parts the you may not see needing now but could need after it is all done.

Done with my DAD rant.

thanhsayz

I got th zones 3" and it was decent for 500. Install was a nightmare due to bolts breaking and rusted sleeves. Buy the tools since you will use them if you plan on wrenching.

James Bonar

Hey all, update time! I ended up finding a RC 3 inch series 2 lift with full leafs and an adjustable track bar included for $350 on craigslist, and got some pretty decent toyo at2's from a buddy for $100. Tires are a 235/85r16 so around a 32x9.5 and on the stock wheels, no rubbing on anything, lock to lock, zero trimming, and no driveline vibes at all from the lift.

I installed the lift myself and did a rough alignment after a few youtube videos, and had a shop mount and balance the tires for $80

all in all I'd say she doesn't look too shabby for $530 spent.

I think in all of my research I might have got myself a little freaked out with all the horror stories of things people had to do to their jeeps after lifting them. It really wasn't that bad.

I couldn't be happier, she drives the same, will get me where I need to go with ease, still looks stock, just a little beefed up, which is the look I was going for from the start.

Thanks for the advice guys!