jcarson34

Ok I'm looking to change my shocks and possibly other suspension components. When I bought my XJ I was told that it has a 4.5" lift. I wanted to see if anyone knew the best way to tell for sure before I go dumping money into incompatible parts.

Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

K2dark_xj

if its all spring(no coil spacers) measure one of your coils without load on it(have to take it out) and compare it to the normal height for a stock front spring. your pick looks around 4ish so he/she was prolly right.

jcarson34

Yea it has 31's on it

K2dark_xj

what are you planning on doing? as far as suspension

Gee oh Dee

Or just measure from the top if the axle tube to the bottom of the frame rail.

Factory height has been posted here many times, anything taller than factory is your lift height.

And you don't have to remove a coil to check...that's a TON of unnecessary work.

No4x4Yet

At stock the distance from the bottom of the fender to the center of the wheel should be 17.5" front and 17" rear. so at 4.5" you should be 22" front and 21.5" rear.

Gee oh Dee

^^you can measure from the frame to the axle tube as well. A bit more accurate (1/8th in) since some guessing is needed for the center of the rim on some rims...

jcarson34

Thanks! Really helpful and I'm looking into SYE's, stainless brake lines (neither suspension), but needed to figure out what to buy, possibly new a-arms, new shocks and coil-overs. Various items

Gee oh Dee

A arms?

Look into HnTs for the SYE.

jcarson34

Wow maybe it's just me! I always called the control arm a-arms, given their shape and resemblance to an "A", maybe I was taught wrong! Haha

Gee oh Dee

Um....some cars have control arms shaped like an A.

Ours aren't. They are basically straight bars stamped in a U shape, upside down?

Gee oh Dee

Couple pics of my drivers side lower control arm...

jcarson34

Got it! Haha thanks, this is my first jeep and I'm still learning it!

Gee oh Dee

You must be thinking of IFS, independent front suspension.

Our SA, solid axle, is much better for most off roading.

jcarson34

Yea that's for sure, my old half ton chevy has ifs