Hey all,

I just totaled my 98 wrangler when some sabb driving ******* on a cell phone swerved into my lane and spun me into a wall head on at about 55 mph. Luckily I walked away but my beloved Jeep was gone. (oh yeah, and he didn't stop!)

I need something a little more practical with more cargo space than the wrangler has. That's why I'm thinking about getting an XJ so I can have practicality, but also something that I can still customize and have a fun weekend toy.

I found a 2001 Sport with 67,000 miles on it that is in excellent shape. I'm taking it to my mechanic tomorrow to have him do a full inspection on it before I buy it.

I'm trying to figure out what size tires can fit on XJs and what size lift I should go with if I buy this XJ I've found. My initial research says that I can do 31s with a 3inch to 3.5inch lift.

-What is a good lift in this higth range?
-Can anybody recommend a lift under $600 that maintains a decent ride quality?
-Do I need a Yoke Slip Eliminator or a CV Driveshaft if I go with a 3 or 3.5 lift?

 

You know what they say... the difference between a Saab Driver and a Porcupine...
A Porcupine has it's ****** on the outside!

 

There are many different types of lifts and many different manufacturers for lifts. Rough Country, Tuff Country, Super Lift, Rubicon Express, Rusty's.... etc.
Each one offers various things, and you get what you pay for.
with a 3.5" lift, a t-case drop is all that you may need. You might not need to if you don't get any drive line vibrations.

 

your also stuck with a low pinion 30 I'd swap that out. they also have a weak head bad casting #03331

 

I've heard of the bad head casting but what is a low pinion 30??? I have a 2001 Cherokee Sport and would like to know if it's something I should swap out as well....

and here is mine with a 4.5" lift and 33's. Kit was $655.00 shipped to my door.. it's a rough country with full leafs

 

The low pinion D30 is your front axle... low pinion means that the yoke comes out more towards the bottom side of the diff. This creates a steeper driveshaft angle and thus creating more drivline vibes.

 

well i had a 3 inch Rough country and it was was alright, then i jus went with a 4.5 zone offroad for 509 dollars with shipping and shock boots. If your looking for a 3.5 id go with tuff country or rubicon express jus my opinion but if your looking for a 4.5 go with zone or rough country, rustys is a little on the expensive side but good quality as well as the rest.

 

oh, ok... that was the first time I heard that... were the earlier model d30's different??? Thankfully I don't have any vibrations right now but it is something to think about....

would it be an easy swap if I were to find a D30 high pinion???

 

Yes, easy swap as long as the gear ratios match. The last year of the High pinion D30 was 1999.
Mike

 

hey mike, i have a 98' limited. do i have a high pinion D30????

 

99 is after 98....yes

 

You Sir are good at Math...
Thank you
Mike

 

I love it when people can do math.

So what are you deciding on going with?

 

I bought the XJ, love it! Thanks for all the advice everybody. I think instead of trying to do a lift on a cheap budget I'm going to hold off till next spring and do a RE 3.5 w/ full leaf springs, SYE, and RE Adjustable Tracbar when I have a little more money.

What is the max tire size I can fit on a stock XJ?

 

you wont regret doing it right the first time. ive heard people getting max of 31" in there but i wouldnt suggest it. it will rub like a SOB. 30"x9.5 should be ok.