so i like to go wheel but im pretty much stock, i really kinda pride myself on being able to tackle difficult obstacles stock, but also i am wanting to lift my xj maybe 3 or 3.5 inches. either stock or lifted i am planning on putting some 31's on. also i have to keep it practical as it is my daily. any input is appreciated. thanks!

 

Go 2 inches. This way you don't need anything except 10" travel shocks and extend your brake lines, and disconnects if you are scared to just ditch your front swaybar.

The rear swaybar should already be in the trash.

Bump stop 2in all the way around.

Now you have a machine that will flex great and is very stable on and off road.

No need for 3" and above unless you just want it for looks.

 

im kinda into the stock height look, i just wasnt aware of any kits that are 2 inches. also my platform is a 97 with 170xxx miles.

 

You can do a 2" on a very low budget if you do some research.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bud...herokee-58797/

 

I'm not really on a super low budget but I also don't want to break my bank any suggestions of what brands to look at?

 

If you want something to read https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/lo...24-12-a-32980/

 

I run a 3.5" RE/Teraflex Hybrid kit on my XJ with 33x10.50's it rides great, works verywell . It is kinda a sleeper offroad and suprises a bunch of people when they find out its shortarm and I have no issue following guys with 37-40" tires

 

please educate me why people ditch the rear sway bars?

does it restrict travel?

 

Restricts travel quite a bit, With stiffer leaf springs its not really needed. Just more government mandated garbage added

 

this is the bar that goes from top of leaf springs wraps around in front of gas tank??

just went out and looked at it and I can see why it would restrict travel and seems like a joke.

didn't they stop adding these in later years?

 

Don't know if they've elimnated them but I know they use to be available only as an option.

I removed both mine and the one on my wife's Blazer due to the many washboard and washed out roads we travel. Substantially reduced wheelhop and gave both vehicles more suspension travel for a better ride. Made no negative difference on the highway.

 

Haha mine has surprised me stock, when I go to do all this should I replace my leafs or do an add a leaf?

 

If they're sagging at all I would replace them. If they're still relatively new and aren't sagging at all AAL will work.

I rode on a 3" short arm for a couple years with 31's and it did really well. If you don't mind trimming the fenders a little you can run a 2" lift with 33's and bumpstop it and have a really good sleeper. Remove both front and rear sway bars and cut the front way bar brackets off the axle if your state has inspections. If the brackets are gone they can't ding you for not having a front sway bar. Some people would say it's dangerous to not have the front (I used to be one of them) and I can tell you from experience that the difference is extremely minimal. And yes, I've had to use evasive maneuvers numerous times since taking the front sway bar completely off for anyone who wants to argue it, but on the end, to each their own.

 

so if i remove my sway bar, will it make highway travel sketchy?have to drive my xj everyday so im looking for functionality and practicality

 

My XJ has not had swaybars on the front or rear in 2-1/2 years it's fine I just treat it like a jeep