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2 Inch Lift and Tire Recommendations

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Old Feb 15, 2014 | 08:10 PM
  #1  
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Lightbulb 2 Inch Lift and Tire Recommendations

Alright guys, I know this topic has absolutely done to death and quite frankly I'm ashamed to have to start a thread like this, so my apologies.

Here's a current pic of my XJ:
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First off, my 1991 Limited is stock with 235/75/R15's, I'm looking to go with a 2 inch lift for it and put 30's under it, and I'm looking to do this on a budget.
So the common front options are: ZJ V8 Coils, Spacers, New Lift coils, anything else?
Rear: Shackles, Bastard Pack, Blocks, Full New Pack, anything else?
Here's a link to the kit I was looking at:
Amazon.com: Jeep Cherokee XJ 2" Front 1.5"-2" Adjustable Rear Lift Kit 1984-2001: Automotive Amazon.com: Jeep Cherokee XJ 2" Front 1.5"-2" Adjustable Rear Lift Kit 1984-2001: Automotive
Doe's anyone have any thoughts on this kit? Any other budget kits or setups you'd recommend?

Also, nowhere have I been able to find a list of things that I'd need for a 2 inch lift. Obviously lift components, I've heard that stock shocks can be ran but aren't recommended when offroading. Well I don't have stock shocks, the PO put on some Les Schwabs shocks, I believe they're called "Mountain Ryder ii's", does anyone know if these would work? What else would need replacing?

Tires: Alright, well I'm planning on running a 30x9.5x15 tire, I can't decide on a M/T or an A/T though. These are the tires I'm looking at:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe....5&diameter=15

What would you guys recommend? I'd like something kinda aggressive looking, I drive 26 miles round trip a day (Half on pavement, half on gravel) and on weekends I like to do a little offroading when I can, mud and trails, no rocks.
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Old Feb 15, 2014 | 09:49 PM
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There's some guy here who makes 2 piece coil spacers. Rear, baster pack + MJ, other slight lift shackles.
Replacement ZJ V8 Upcountry shocks can be used in the front. JK take-off shocks should work as well.
Falken Wildpeak AT/Rocky Mountain ATS. Probably the least expensive good quality Agressive AT, that has great road manners.

FYI, there is not much difference in 235/75 VS 30x9.5

Last edited by Metmknice; Feb 15, 2014 at 09:52 PM.
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Old Feb 15, 2014 | 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Metmknice
There's some guy here who makes 2 piece coil spacers. Rear, baster pack + MJ, other slight lift shackles.
Replacement ZJ V8 Upcountry shocks can be used in the front. JK take-off shocks should work as well.
Falken Wildpeak AT/Rocky Mountain ATS. Probably the least expensive good quality Agressive AT, that has great road manners.

FYI, there is not much difference in 235/75 VS 30x9.5
I'm worried about my shocks because I don't know what kind of travel they have and I can't find any info on them except that they're Led Schwab's small truck shock. I was looking into the JK shocks, I remember reading somewhere that they had to be Rubicon shocks, is this true? I know there's not a big difference in size because the 235's are a 29" but mine are brand new studded Hankooks so I can't run them year round. I have a set of 235 at's that'll last me till I can get new tires. I really like the KM2's but, High School Kid=Broke so I can't afford those on top of a set of rims. How do bastard packs ride? I was leaning towards the spacer and shackles because it won't worsen your ride.
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Old Feb 15, 2014 | 10:15 PM
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Spacers and shackles are always nice, because if you want to go higher, they can still be of use...

However, if you want to stay at 2", go for V8 ZJ coil springs and a bastard pack in the rear.
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Old Feb 15, 2014 | 11:08 PM
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i got 31 inch tires on my 2 inch lift
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Old Feb 15, 2014 | 11:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 2WDUnderachiever
Spacers and shackles are always nice, because if you want to go higher, they can still be of use...

However, if you want to stay at 2", go for V8 ZJ coil springs and a bastard pack in the rear.
I think I'll go with a spacer and shackle because in the future I'm planning on getting a slightly bigger lift, just don't have that kinda money available to me right now. So I don't need to change anything for the lift?
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Old Feb 15, 2014 | 11:52 PM
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I got a spacer and shackle off of eBay for my wife's XJ for just over $100. Rubicon express spacer and rough country shackle. I had to buy them from separate sellers, but compared to buying a kit, it was cheaper and still good quality.
And I used the stock shocks.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 12:03 AM
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I'd go with coil spacers and shackles. You can do that for next to nothing. If you can fit it in your budget, low profile shackle relocation as well, its not needed but will give you a perfect shackle angle. ZJ tie rods would be a good cheap upgrade at the same time, and budget for an adjustable track bar as well (may not be needed, but I needed one at just 1.5" of lift). Then you can shove some 31's under it and have fun with it.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 12:44 AM
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I went with pucks and shackles and happy with look.Snagged a set of like new shocks with longer travel at local P&P for cheap.30" tires no rub or vibes.Probley go to 3.5 someday..


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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 07:07 AM
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Another option for the OP.
RE 2" budget boost with new shocks:
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...-A-LEAF-RE6160
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 07:25 AM
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Slice it or Dice it.
No matter.
You will need a bigger budget.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by zeecherokeeman
i got 31 inch tires on my 2 inch lift
Do you rub at all? How bad did your gas mileage decrease?
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by kirknd4spd
I'd go with coil spacers and shackles. You can do that for next to nothing. If you can fit it in your budget, low profile shackle relocation as well, its not needed but will give you a perfect shackle angle. ZJ tie rods would be a good cheap upgrade at the same time, and budget for an adjustable track bar as well (may not be needed, but I needed one at just 1.5" of lift). Then you can shove some 31's under it and have fun with it.
Already planning on the tie rods, I totally forgot about the track bar, I know its just a bandaid but could I just relocate it for now? Are 31's pretty stuffed in there on a 2 inch lift?
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 09:54 AM
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One thing you need to look at with tires is their actual height. After putting the 2" on my wife's, I put 31 10.5s on it but they actually measured 29.5" tall so they fit fine.
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Old Feb 16, 2014 | 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by SeriousOffroad
Another option for the OP.
RE 2" budget boost with new shocks:
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...-A-LEAF-RE6160
Thanks for link Serious. When I'm out of high school and have a higher paying job I'm planning on picking up the 3.5" RE kit from you and staying at that height. Since I'm planning on doing that in a few years I figured I'd try stray away from the more "expensive" stuff.
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