mcd58

i want to lift my jeep soon but i am not sure if i should go with a 3 in kit or a 4.5 in kit. with the 3 in kit i will get full leaf packs but if i do a 4.5 in kit i will need to get an aal because it would be too expensive. will be using this jeep as my dd in college and for some trails on the weekends. i eventually want to get napier or bushwakcer flares but i do not want to trim my fenders an excessive amount.

War Eagle

3"

SeriousOffroad

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...SUPER-RIDE-KIT

SBpunk

4.5 is going to be expensive no matter what you do. You're venturing into driveline angles, track bars, control arms, brake lines etc. etc. The list goes on.

mcd58

would i be fine doing just an aal with a 3 in lift or should i still go with new leafs?

SBpunk

I would do full 2 inch springs and get a set of nice shackles and 1 inch coil spacers for the front. If you do hit 3 inch tho look into getting a longer track bar or drilling a hole for your stock one. They're not expensive and it will help keep your truck centered.

AAL just has a bad rep. I've never owned them but just like blocks, I steer clear because of the feedback in the forums.

holycaveman

I have been running 4-4.5 in the rear for about 6 -8 months. No transfer drop down.

All I did was angled my rear diff slightly upwards. Never a problem. Not even a bad u-joint. Yes I have some drive line vibes. But very little.

Front I am 3-3.5 in. I have went back and forth, but I like it just the way it is. I have very soft rear leafs. So with just a little weight I ride level. Empty I set an inch high in the rear.

SBpunk

Yeah but what year is your rig Holy? Theres a cut off where you can get away with more lift think its 1995. He's running a 2000 and I lifted my old one 2 inches and had drive line vibes. Sure someone here can explain why but I don't remember off the top of my head. Something to do with the transfer case position or some madness

holycaveman

Mine is a 2000 xj.

You may be right about the old ones. I am not certain. At the shop we always install drop down kits. So I really have not messed with trying no drop on an older one.

XJMichael

I have a 2000 xj with 4 1/2 lift, dropped the transfer case wich you really don't lose clearance because now it's level with my exhaust. Still a slight vibe though. I did the add a leaf wich now I wish I just went with the full packs, I guess I'm just picky and want everything new. You cant expect one leaf to put life in all the others . So I have a little sag.
I have 32"x 11.5 BFGs and no trimming, no rubbing unless I'm flexing it HARD. I've rubbed twice on one occasion and that's it.

SBpunk

I'm not sure what years but you can use an AX 15 cross member to get a transfercase drop without losing any clearance too

kirknd4spd

Depends on what you're doing with the Jeep, and what tire size you want. But personally I won't go over 3" of lift on mine, and I'll only go to that big of a lift if I step up to 35's or 36's when I wear out these 33's.
A 3" will not require as much money or as many parts as a 4.5" lift will. There are definitely advantages to the 3".

mcd58

whats the biggest size tire i could fit on a 3 in lift with stock flares. im not sure if ill be able to get my fender flares right after i get my lift and tires. also should i do armor before my lift? like a winch bumper, maybe rear quarter panel armor.

War Eagle

w/o trimming, 31's. Youll need to backspace alot if you plant to do any offroading. For armor and accessories...i think the basics should come first. F/R tow points and then rocker protection of some sort to keep your vital pinch seem intact. Maybe a come-a-long or a ****** for recovery.

mcd58

i was thinking soft 8's or moabs for wheels. ill either get factory tow hooks or a front bumper so ill have something for recovery because right now i dont have anything for recovery front or back.