Sep 21, 2015, 02:17 PM
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- Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ 1993 to 1998 Tires General Information and Specs
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CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 203
From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by larryftmfw
I’ll probably try that out at some point soon. Hopefully this weekend I can tackle doing the control arm drop. Would I be crazy to attempt it with the wheels on the ground, I’m wondering if I use some cargo straps to jeep the axel from shifting would work if I do one side at a time.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: North West Colorado
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I am planning to run around a 35 I’m already trimmed planning on 6 in or 5 inch long arm if I can find one and find the right measurements online, I have a Chrysler 8.25 and a 27 spline d30. The question is will I be okay running that tire on my axles, and gearing down a little later or am I going to blow stuff up putting it over rocks?
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: memphis
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Finally have nice handling, lifted Cherokee.....
So, after numerous attempts at reaching the happy place, I finally reached it...the Cherokee drives straight, smooth at any speed, no pops, bumps, wobbles, bounces...just great performance......It was not easy, and there is a lot of garbage info out there, and folks trying to sell lots of lifting hardware, but at the end of the day, if you want to be able to drive your XJ without worrying about anything, I found the recipe......
I lifted the XJ with a RC 3" lift kit..it came with new front springs, add- a- leaf for the rear stack, and gas shocks for all 4 corners.....while all of these items are usable, they do not complete a 3" lift for an xj.....after installing this kit, you may not be able to drive your xj over 40 mph.....and it will handle awful, and clunky, and ride rough, and put lots of stress on things that should not be stressed........It will be out of alignment, out of sync, and mostly unusable.....
In addition to the items in the RC kit, I had to also buy and install :
Extended lower control arms
Adjustable upper control arms
extended sway bar links
new rear leaf springs (complete)
new front steering stabilizer
adjustable track bar
and every bushing, grommet, spacer, in the front end must be new or like new
It will be necessary to take your xj to a shop for a professional alignment, after ALL of these parts have been installed PROPERLY, which will likely require a professional mechanic also......
If you install any of these parts before you get your xj aligned, it will need it again, with the exception maybe of the sway bar links......
Lifting a vehicle is very involved, and there is a lot of geometry associated with it, and most of us will never get it right in our garage, laying on our backs.
Lifting an XJ 3" requires about $1200 in parts, and probably 6-800 to a mechanic for good setup and alignment......
Having just finished the process, my advice is, if you cannot do it right , do not do it at all, or wait til you can afford it, because nothing is more frustrating and disappointing than a great looking XJ, lifted, that is not safe to drive, and self destructs, because it is not done properly.......that is no fun at all...........but holy cow, now, the XJ is the total bomb ! Handles like a brand new one, not a pop, clink, clunk, bump,......nothing.! It is totally worth it !
Mike
I lifted the XJ with a RC 3" lift kit..it came with new front springs, add- a- leaf for the rear stack, and gas shocks for all 4 corners.....while all of these items are usable, they do not complete a 3" lift for an xj.....after installing this kit, you may not be able to drive your xj over 40 mph.....and it will handle awful, and clunky, and ride rough, and put lots of stress on things that should not be stressed........It will be out of alignment, out of sync, and mostly unusable.....
In addition to the items in the RC kit, I had to also buy and install :
Extended lower control arms
Adjustable upper control arms
extended sway bar links
new rear leaf springs (complete)
new front steering stabilizer
adjustable track bar
and every bushing, grommet, spacer, in the front end must be new or like new
It will be necessary to take your xj to a shop for a professional alignment, after ALL of these parts have been installed PROPERLY, which will likely require a professional mechanic also......
If you install any of these parts before you get your xj aligned, it will need it again, with the exception maybe of the sway bar links......
Lifting a vehicle is very involved, and there is a lot of geometry associated with it, and most of us will never get it right in our garage, laying on our backs.
Lifting an XJ 3" requires about $1200 in parts, and probably 6-800 to a mechanic for good setup and alignment......
Having just finished the process, my advice is, if you cannot do it right , do not do it at all, or wait til you can afford it, because nothing is more frustrating and disappointing than a great looking XJ, lifted, that is not safe to drive, and self destructs, because it is not done properly.......that is no fun at all...........but holy cow, now, the XJ is the total bomb ! Handles like a brand new one, not a pop, clink, clunk, bump,......nothing.! It is totally worth it !
Mike
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i have some issues here since you said there was bogus info you found.
lifted the XJ with a RC 3" lift kit..mistake number 1
add- a- leaf...mistake 2
and it will handle awful, and clunky, and ride rough..thats rough country and aal for you
put lots of stress on things that should not be stressed...not really on a 3 inch lift, its very small
unusable..huge exaggeration
In addition to the items in the RC kit, I had to also buy and install :
Extended lower control arms
Adjustable upper control arms..i agree with these
extended sway bar links...not needed at 3 inches
new rear leaf springs (complete)...shouldve gotten lifted packs in the first place
new front steering stabilizer...not really needed
adjustable track bar...can go euther way
and every bushing, grommet, spacer, in the front end must be new or like new....eh
after ALL of these parts have been installed PROPERLY, which will likely require a professional mechanic also......lol it definitely does not require a mechanic
Lifting a vehicle is very involved, and there is a lot of geometry associated with it, and most of us will never get it right in our garage, laying on our backs...a 3 inch lift isnt really involved. Most slap on a kit and drive on
Lifting an XJ 3" requires about $1200 in parts..i about choked here lol
and probably 6-800 to a mechanic for good setup and alignment...again,no....super easy to install yourself and can align yourself as well. If not $100 for an alignment
Having just finished the process, my advice is, if you cannot do it right , do not do it at all, or wait til you can afford it...i agree, although a 3 inch lift is really affordable. Bigger lifts not so much
lifted the XJ with a RC 3" lift kit..mistake number 1
add- a- leaf...mistake 2
and it will handle awful, and clunky, and ride rough..thats rough country and aal for you
put lots of stress on things that should not be stressed...not really on a 3 inch lift, its very small
unusable..huge exaggeration
In addition to the items in the RC kit, I had to also buy and install :
Extended lower control arms
Adjustable upper control arms..i agree with these
extended sway bar links...not needed at 3 inches
new rear leaf springs (complete)...shouldve gotten lifted packs in the first place
new front steering stabilizer...not really needed
adjustable track bar...can go euther way
and every bushing, grommet, spacer, in the front end must be new or like new....eh
after ALL of these parts have been installed PROPERLY, which will likely require a professional mechanic also......lol it definitely does not require a mechanic
Lifting a vehicle is very involved, and there is a lot of geometry associated with it, and most of us will never get it right in our garage, laying on our backs...a 3 inch lift isnt really involved. Most slap on a kit and drive on
Lifting an XJ 3" requires about $1200 in parts..i about choked here lol
and probably 6-800 to a mechanic for good setup and alignment...again,no....super easy to install yourself and can align yourself as well. If not $100 for an alignment
Having just finished the process, my advice is, if you cannot do it right , do not do it at all, or wait til you can afford it...i agree, although a 3 inch lift is really affordable. Bigger lifts not so much
Last edited by Martlor13; Jul 24, 2018 at 07:57 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 622
Likes: 9
From: Calgary, AB
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 5.2
As I have a Jeep ZJ I paid..
$100 for 4" XJ springs
$100 for shocks from a JK
$200 31x10.5x15 tires
$100 adjustable front track bar
$60 extended brake lines
$30 bar pin eliminators
$80 for a NP231 with a SYE kit
$570 for my lift and I've netted about 5" total with everything combined.
I'm sure there are other things I'm not thinking about... but if you save up and watch your local ads you can put together a pretty good setup for very cheap.
$100 for 4" XJ springs
$100 for shocks from a JK
$200 31x10.5x15 tires
$100 adjustable front track bar
$60 extended brake lines
$30 bar pin eliminators
$80 for a NP231 with a SYE kit
$570 for my lift and I've netted about 5" total with everything combined.
I'm sure there are other things I'm not thinking about... but if you save up and watch your local ads you can put together a pretty good setup for very cheap.
Moderator of Jeeps
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 3
From: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
When I lifted mine, it was unknown coil springs, Rubicon Express leafs, JK shocks, a double shear track bar, new soft brake lines, and sway bar links. Throw in 5 matching steel wheels and 5 33x12.5 DuraTracs that still had nipples and blue markings on them.
Total cost was a hair under $1,000 after mounting and balancing, and that was before the XJ scene took off. Now there are parts everywhere!
Total cost was a hair under $1,000 after mounting and balancing, and that was before the XJ scene took off. Now there are parts everywhere!
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
When I lifted mine, it was unknown coil springs, Rubicon Express leafs, JK shocks, a double shear track bar, new soft brake lines, and sway bar links. Throw in 5 matching steel wheels and 5 33x12.5 DuraTracs that still had nipples and blue markings on them.
Total cost was a hair under $1,000 after mounting and balancing, and that was before the XJ scene took off. Now there are parts everywhere!
Total cost was a hair under $1,000 after mounting and balancing, and that was before the XJ scene took off. Now there are parts everywhere!
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 203
From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I bought a Cherokee with a 5.5" lift, 35" mtrs with the **** still on them, locked front and geared for $1600. Drove just fine well over 40 mph before I took it part and put some parts on my Cherokee and sold some parts. I've definitely spent a lot on the suspension of my Cherokee, but I've only paid someone else for an alignment. Did all the rest laying on my back in the driveway.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: memphis
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My cherokee has 87000 miles on it.....i wanted it to drive smooth as silk on the hiway at 75 mph, and handle like a brand new one, and now it does.....
My post was not a contest, but was meant to let folks know, lifting is very involved, and if you want it right, it all has to be done right, and these kits that are available are misleading......
i don’t do half a** bs to my vehicles, i do things right, but depending on aftermarket parts distributors to tell the whole story is not wise......then of course there is always the loudmouth know it all that says all kinds of garbage, just to make himself appear to be some “fountain of info”, who does not know his a** from a hole in the ground, and folks see that stuff and think they can get away with some less than properly lifted vehicle, and in the end , they can hardly drive it.....
i see that kind of stuff all over (different jeep forums) and that was my point of my post, was to be straight forward and precise and accurate.....improperly lifting a jeep often renders them unsafe to drive on the highway, ......and thats no fun.
My post was not a contest, but was meant to let folks know, lifting is very involved, and if you want it right, it all has to be done right, and these kits that are available are misleading......
i don’t do half a** bs to my vehicles, i do things right, but depending on aftermarket parts distributors to tell the whole story is not wise......then of course there is always the loudmouth know it all that says all kinds of garbage, just to make himself appear to be some “fountain of info”, who does not know his a** from a hole in the ground, and folks see that stuff and think they can get away with some less than properly lifted vehicle, and in the end , they can hardly drive it.....
i see that kind of stuff all over (different jeep forums) and that was my point of my post, was to be straight forward and precise and accurate.....improperly lifting a jeep often renders them unsafe to drive on the highway, ......and thats no fun.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,676
Likes: 301
From: WV
Year: '96
Model: Cherokee
I agree. After I joined here it didn't take long at all to see that the general consensus was "When lifting an XJ 3" and up each one is an individual as far as what it needs to end up being right."
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My cherokee has 87000 miles on it.....i wanted it to drive smooth as silk on the hiway at 75 mph, and handle like a brand new one, and now it does.....
My post was not a contest, but was meant to let folks know, lifting is very involved, and if you want it right, it all has to be done right, and these kits that are available are misleading......
i don’t do half a** bs to my vehicles, i do things right, but depending on aftermarket parts distributors to tell the whole story is not wise......then of course there is always the loudmouth know it all that says all kinds of garbage, just to make himself appear to be some “fountain of info”, who does not know his a** from a hole in the ground, and folks see that stuff and think they can get away with some less than properly lifted vehicle, and in the end , they can hardly drive it.....
i see that kind of stuff all over (different jeep forums) and that was my point of my post, was to be straight forward and precise and accurate.....improperly lifting a jeep often renders them unsafe to drive on the highway, ......and thats no fun.
My post was not a contest, but was meant to let folks know, lifting is very involved, and if you want it right, it all has to be done right, and these kits that are available are misleading......
i don’t do half a** bs to my vehicles, i do things right, but depending on aftermarket parts distributors to tell the whole story is not wise......then of course there is always the loudmouth know it all that says all kinds of garbage, just to make himself appear to be some “fountain of info”, who does not know his a** from a hole in the ground, and folks see that stuff and think they can get away with some less than properly lifted vehicle, and in the end , they can hardly drive it.....
i see that kind of stuff all over (different jeep forums) and that was my point of my post, was to be straight forward and precise and accurate.....improperly lifting a jeep often renders them unsafe to drive on the highway, ......and thats no fun.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: memphis
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
In my case, there is a limit to how much time i am willing to spend under my vehicle, and in order for it to be set up properly, the vehicle needs to be put on a lift, which requires a shop, which requires a mechanic, or a really good friend with a shop with a lift, willing to let you use it.......
i could have done more of the work myself, but i wanted it perfect, so thats what i paid for, and what i got.
i could have done more of the work myself, but i wanted it perfect, so thats what i paid for, and what i got.
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 22
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I have a lift in my garage for installations and testing suspension droop/clearances. Consists of a floor jack, four good size jackstands to support chassis, 8"x8" and 6x6 wood block cribbing for safety.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
In my case, there is a limit to how much time i am willing to spend under my vehicle, and in order for it to be set up properly, the vehicle needs to be put on a lift, which requires a shop, which requires a mechanic, or a really good friend with a shop with a lift, willing to let you use it.......
i could have done more of the work myself, but i wanted it perfect, so thats what i paid for, and what i got.
i could have done more of the work myself, but i wanted it perfect, so thats what i paid for, and what i got.