xj14

I have a 1998 jeep cherokee 4x4 with the 4.0. I will mostly be using it as a daily driver (about 10,000 miles a year or less) and some light offroading. I plain on putting a 4.5 lift on it. I am thinking about using a Zone lift. Is this a good idea? If i buy the 4.5 inch kit what else can i expect to have to buy. Can i get away with out a sye? Is the ride quality much worse than stock? Also what size tires will work without doing much or any trimming and I would like to keep the stock flares. Thanks in advance.

1998xjspt

don't know much about zone lifts ride quality but if your looking for a nice ride, its all in the shocks, look into a good pair like bilsteins..odds are you probably will need an SYE, most people do with a 3.5 or higher lift. 32 would fit easy on a 4.5 without having to trim or adding more bumpstop or anything.

XJGrason

3" lift and 31s is always the way to go if you're unsure heres mine

MoparNJeep

31s with 4"front 4 1/2" rear, no vibes! My fenders have been cut and stock flaires raised. Could clear 33s or 35s. u joints seem to go out after lifts are installed so plan on replaceing those.

xj14

Thanks for the replies. I like the looks of both your Jeeps. I might just go the 3'' route for less problems but I haven't decided yet. Anybody had any experience with zone lifts?

MoparNJeep

Ruugh country shackle relocation Kit gives you 1"to1-1/2" of lift,,$120, teraflex 2" lift shackles $60, front 3 or 3.5 lift coils $100 $280 lift add some.stock jk Wrangler shocks for $50 for all 4 and you got a cheaper nicer rideing/flexing lift Kit.

xj99sport

zone lifts are really nice for the money they are a sister company to bds there leaf packs are really beefy and the front coil springs are heavy duty in my opinion you cant go wrong with zone much better quality than other companies.

OEJ

never heard anything bad about Zone, all good things. but no 1st hand knowledge..sorry.
you'll be fine w/o an sye if you mainly stay on trails that are not going to flex you out somuch that the drive shaft will dislodge. allthough 4.5" will make that ALOT!!!! easier to do. sooooo....here's my suggestion.

i have an IRO/RC lift combo. 4.25 frnt and 4.5 rear. i have a T/C drop and never go offroad, so i don't worry about an sye right now. but it is on my to-do list. the lack of an sye is the main reason i don't go o/r. if i was @ 3" i wouldn't worry about it so much.

but if your thinking about a 4.5 lift now... and then change ur mind with a 3", u will eventually make ur way back up to what u originally wanted...lol. thats why i went with the 4.5. I know me...lmao.

so u should go with the 4.5 imo. do the t/c drop kit for now and just do some really light o/rdng if it means that much to ya. then save for the sye. right now im saving for gears. then ill do the sye.

Be true to urself now; and it will save you money in the long run. it took me a 1yr 1/2 to get all my components together. i had the initial kit that i ordered from IRO. it was a 3" leafpack and coils, with a .75" front spacer and 1.5" shackle kit. t-case drop kit, shocks. about 4mos later i got a tracbar. then a year later i got upr/lwr c/a's.., JKS discos..., 15x10 rims and 33s all @ the same time. then put it all on.
hard to do??? yes. but well worth the wait. i'm glad i did it.
good luck brutha. sorry so long.haha.

Eagle564

Well my plan is to get the 3" Zone lift and run 33's. And in a year or so ill install an sye and shaft and some spacers and shackles to go up to 4 or 4.5". Ill be able to enjoy the lift and upgrade everything else in the meantime until i do an sye and up my lift.

xj99sport

that is a great plan my friend. it will look tough with 33s

OEJ

^^^^
yes it will look bad azz.