I'm brand new to the forum, so I really hope I'm putting this post in the right thread, but I just have a quick question. I have a '96 XJ and want to lift it. It's going to be a toy of mine for a long time but for right now it's my daily driver. I want to put a 3" lift on it with 31" tires, but it seems like everyone that goes with the 3" lift immediately regrets it and wishes they would've opted for the 4.5" lift. Thoughts? I figured I would give it a little lift right now while it's my DD and then maybe 5 years down the line lift it again when it becomes my toy. Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated!

 

It depends on your budget really. At 4.5 you should/will need to address more areas of your suspension, steering, brakes and driveline. If your budget is tight you can get away with less at 3".

I started 3 and am at 4.5 and if I could do it all over I would have done it all different. Long arms, SYE, top level shocks etc even for a daily driver. A lot more money but better end result.

 

I dont regret going 3, but I plan to run 33s or 35s at 3 when my 31s wear. I do regret not starting off with 33s.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the input guys. PurpleToxin, if I had 1" wheel spacers with stock rims, would the 33's rub?

 

Or will I have to upgrade to a wider rim to go to 33's?

 

well it depends a 33x12.5 will need wider wheels as most shops wont mount new 12.5 on a 7" wheel. My 31x10.5 rubbed when I had stock wheels but now im running 15x8 with 3.75 BS. And your gonna have to bumpstop or youll lose your flares. Heres mine 3", 31x10.15s

 

It's so confusing, too, trying to figure out what you need for parts...everybody will tell you something different. Some say you should get a new track bar. Others say move the stock one. Some say you should get new LCAs (lower control arms), some don't. Some say SYE (slip yoke eliminator), but others say a transfer case drop will suffice... One thing you have in your favor is that you have a pre-97 xj. They tend to have fewer problems with driveshaft vibrations, and the wheel arches are a bit more open (more flex/maybe a little more tire, but less lift)

 

If you were to go 4.5' I would definitely look into long arms if it's your DD

 

No regrets here on my 3" lift. Going with 33's when cash allows. I'll be rockin my 31's for a while probably.

Bottom line is, there's the right way to do it, and then there's the cheap way. Either way, I highly recommend an adjustable aftermarket track bar. some kits come with them, some don't. Do your research, understand all components involved and gotchas. The cost doesn't stop at the lift kit itself.

 

I have a 99 and have no vibes at 3"

 

I have a 99 and no vibes at 4.5

 

I'm at 3" and I have no desire to go any higher. It is my dd and with 32s it's plenty capable of doing whatever I wanna do with a dd that's not a toy and I can still cruise at 80 on the highway. Any higher and like others have said you will need more parts to prevent issues. Don't go cheap. If you need to look into junkyard springs but pay decent money for the track bar, shocks, and control arms.

 

1. What kind of terrain are you going to be wheeling in? Mud/snow? Rocks? Sand?

2. What is your budget? Serious offroad sells a great 4.5" kit that includes SYE/Bilsteins/Driveshafts/Longarms and just about everything else you would need to have a great start (other than gears/steering) in one shot. http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...cPath=419_2040

3. Do you think you will be happy at 3"? Sure some might be.. I personally love mine at 6.5 more than any other XJ I've ever had and doubt I could go through what I do (snow/water) if I was lower.

 

no matter which route you go the mod bug will have sunk its teeth into and you will change things up I suggest picking a 3" lift thats not going to break your wallat 31" and see if you like it I've found and could be wrong but it often easier to lift the jeep some more than drop them back down.

 

I have vibes between 30-40mph depending on the workload, '98 with 3 inches. It sure is true, every XJ is different in this regard.

Slip yoke eliminator + 3 new ujoints for driveshaft + trans fluid = $300 I need to fix. (I don't believe in transfer case drops)