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Poll time - bumpers or lift kit

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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 09:43 AM
  #1  
kissthis66's Avatar
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From: Marshall, WI
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L i6
Default Poll time - bumpers or lift kit

I'm Installing frame stiffeners (front middle and rear) after than I plan on installing lift kit and bumpers. As I can only afford one or the other which you think I should do first?

long arm lift kit
Or
Front and rear aftermarket bumpers

Both cost about the same after shipping and add ons so just kinda at a crossroad as to which I want to do first.

What you all think? What would you do first?
(currently jeep has stock bumpers and suspension) but does have some nice meaty tires
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 10:22 AM
  #2  
helmut's Avatar
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From: Frankfort IL
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Lift kit first.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 10:26 AM
  #3  
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From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
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You forgot the poll.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 10:29 AM
  #4  
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From: Marshall, WI
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Originally Posted by lowrange2
You forgot the poll.
On my iPhone, was mostly for comments I guess. Maybe I can add an actual poll when I get home on my PC
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 10:33 AM
  #5  
Xj88's Avatar
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Bumpers/armor first. Dont forget the cost of bigger tires, and offset rims.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 10:38 AM
  #6  
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Well so far that's

1 - lift kit

1 - bumpers
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 10:42 AM
  #7  
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The lift kit will more than likely cost you more considering the stuff that might break or need replacing as you come across them. Then you're looking at getting bigger tires as soon as possible since stockers (if that's what your running) will not only look stupid but your cog and handling will be **** with them still on there.

If you're on a tight budget, start with bumpers.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 11:44 AM
  #8  
motorcharge's Avatar
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Bumpers, recovery options are more important imo.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 12:39 PM
  #9  
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Lift! I don't like the look of factory suspension on anything with hundreds tossed into bumpers. If you go wheeling regularly then you should already have some sort of recovery options/points
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 12:49 PM
  #10  
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From: Chattanooga
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I say invest in nice bumpers, and armor underneath (tc skid, gas tank skid, etc). Then invest in a NICE l/a lift (Clayton, or Serious).
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 12:49 PM
  #11  
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A lift is a lot more involved. Plus the need of tires and rims and any extras you will need depending on lift height. Then with it lifted you can get a better idea of what your rig will look like so you can get bumpers that youll like. also i dont like aftermarket bumpers on stock rigs. looks un-proportional.

my vote goes to a lift kit.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 12:57 PM
  #12  
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Each has pros and cons. Big bumpers look kinda silly on a stock rig, but a lift looks kinda silly on stock tires. I guess you need to figure out what your next purchase will be.If you get the lift you'll want to get larger tires pretty soon. If you get bumpers you'll probably want a winch pretty soon. If you're doing mild wheeling, get the bumpers. If you wheel and need the clearance, get the lift.

Or get the lift and save up for tires and install them all at once.

Next you'll be asking "winch or lockers?"

Just get your wallet and chain it to the Jeep. That's where it'll go anyway.

Last edited by V8XJDavid; Oct 23, 2012 at 01:02 PM.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 01:28 PM
  #13  
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Throw the lift first then add armor to your liking.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 02:30 PM
  #14  
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armor and recovery > lift for any serious wheeler.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 04:56 PM
  #15  
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From: Marshall, WI
Year: 1994
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Well the long arm kit I'm interested in is the rough country 4.5" kit with springs

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_4xla.html

Both bumpers with add ons together will cost about the same with the lift. So Either way i have funds to cover any extra parts that may be needed. Just don't wanna drop $3k into a project at once doing both. My 30x9.5 are pretty big/meaty compared to stock so I don't think the lift will look bad until I put $$ into some 31 or 33s.
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