Hey all, been a while since I posted on this forum.

I finally have enough cash to go forward with my Jeep. The suspension is 100% shot along with the trac bar and rear driveshaft (hopefully -- I think the UJoints are just screwed). So, what do you think the best option would be here? LIFT!!!!!

Here's what I have planned:

Rubicon Express 3.5" SuperFlex kit
Iron Rock Offroad adjustable double-shear trac bar
Iron Rock Offroad SYE kit, and possibly a custom driveshaft included in the package or an XJ front DS
Cheapie hydro shocks, I will buy nicer ones further down the road when I have more cash
15x8 black steelies with 3.75" BS
31" or 32" A/T / snow tires (can't decide which size yet)

So I am in need of advice!:

What would you recommend for the SYE -- can I use an XJ DS and how do I pull one out? Or can I find one new? (I'd prefer that)
Will the 3.75" BS give me the wide, aggressive stance?
31" or 32"? Still struggling to figure out what size I want. I don't mind mild trimming.

Also -- for those that say I can probably get away without an SYE -- I already have vibes at stock height. I think this is because the UJoints wore in at a certain angle, then the back end started sagging REALLY bad and now the UJoints are operating at an angle in which they weren't worn in.


My Jeep:

2001, Sport 4x4, 4.0
Chrysler 8.25 rear end, no ABS
Not sure which T-Case I have. I'm not around the Jeep right now to look.

Thanks guys!

 

Adams offroad and driveshaft has a pretty good sye package, I used them when I lifted my 01, You may have to measure the actual lift you gain after the lift install because they will need to know what height lift you have to make the driveshaft.

 

http://www.adamsdriveshaftoffroad.co...shaft-package/

Here is the link

 

Thanks man! I'll give that a look.

 

Many people have said they gained far more lift from RE leafs than advertised. for example a 3.5" being more like 5".

Me personally I ran 4.5" RE coils up front and then had 3.5" RE leafs in the back with 1" lift shackles and it was perfect height after a few months of break in. I toted extra weight in the back of the jeep for about 1500 miles to help the springs settle down.

As for the selection of parts they will serve you well. But the drive shaft is pretty easy to pull. Not to sound like a jerk but if you have reservations about how to get a drive shaft out It'd be a good idea to call in some favors from friends to help install all the parts. Again, not trying to be a dick but a lift and all that is not a beginner undertaking, there is some mechanical knowledge and ingenuity that comes along with installing one.

 

Other than buying a new stock DS parts list looks good. A U pull it DS cost me 27 dollars. New is 250+. 3.75 bs will give you a good stance on 10.5 tires even better on 12.5. Summit Racing has Soft 8 and D window style rims for less than 50 buck each. Free shipping. PM me if you need any help with the install.

 

I understand where you're coming from. I am mechanically inclined; so far I have installed bumpers, water pump, radiator, sub, and a few other smaller things without killing myself. It's just that I haven't attempted any of this before; it could be easier for me because I am mechanically inclined, who knows. Point is I just want to teach myself more about my little Jeep

Anyways, I have a few friends that are willing to help me so no worries there!

 

PS anyone have advice on the UJoint issue (is it really the UJoints?) or tire sizes?

 

It seems odd to me that you would have vibes at stock height. Are your leafs twisted? Is the pinion angle at the axle side almost neutral?

Your u-joints may be bad, or it is possible you may have knocked off the balancing weight on the DS. Try looking at your DS and see if the weight is on it, if not it may be a good idea to get it balanced.

Last, if you go with the junkyard front DS I'd suggest putting new joints on it and having it re-balanced. I don't know how true it is but when I took mine in to have it balanced they asked if it was gonna be a front or rear shaft (apparently that matters). After that I painted it and I never had a problem or vibe with it.

Its good you are wanting to learn this stuff, an XJ is not a vehicle for the mechanically challenged!

 

With the 3.5 inch lift, I would recommend no bigger than a 31x10.5. That's what I have on my 87 and the 31's fit just right.

 

I'm the third owner of this Jeep and it has about 150k on it; it honestly could be all of the above. The leafs are definitely worn. They are sagging so bad that they are inverted haha. And it seems that one side is slightly worse than the other; as in it seems it is in the beginning stages of axle wrap. So perhaps that is causing the driveshaft to not line up perfectly from the output shaft to the diff, causing vibes?

Haven't checked the pinion angle -- I'll check that when I'm not loaded down with coursework. Thanks for the tips!

As for tires -- I was thinking 31" as well but I know the RE lifts net much higher than advertised so perhaps 32" would be more appropriate?

 

The RE net much higher in the beginning, but they will settle and it should give you the advertised lift. Mine is tight in the rear on 31's because my springs are now wearing out. But the 31's used to fit just perfect with no issues of tire rub. I you could do 32's and "lightly trim" the fenders and you would be okay. But 31's are perfect with no trimming on a 3.5

 

Good to know, thank you man.

 

No problem man. I think Cherokee ls look great with the 3.5/ 31 combo. Not to tall, but tall enough to get you through most situations. And still look aggressive. Subbed cuz i wanna hear/see the outcome!

 

Thanks man! I will be making a build thread for it soon, so be sure to look for that!