Julian Garcia

Hey guys I have a 2000 jeep cherokee sport with a 6.5 inch long arm lift kit. I have 35 inch tires. I notice that if I let my foot off the gas when I'm going anything above 50 I feel a bit of drag on the right front tire. I can hear it as well. It's not a grinding but it's as if the tire just isnt catching up or something. Anybody else have a similar experience

oldmanyoung

Every time I read about lifting the XJ, seems like I discover some new part I also need to upgrade. I want to lift it 3”, but literally only for that extra clearance getting to potential campsites. I do not, and will not, ever do any rock crawling or heavy off-roading. Does this resemble an accurate list of what will need changing with a 3” lift on a 2000 XJ? Am I missing anything? This is starting to feel like a project that won’t give the payoff needed to justify the money spent.

-3” lift kit (rough country most likely)
-31” tires
-SYE kit with driveshaft
-adjustable lower/upper CAs for rear

zeeee4

I would get something other then rough country. I did their 3 inch kit earlier this year and am regretting it the ride sucks so bad. Also, I didnt need an sye or driveshaft, so you may not either. I have an 01. Additionally, xjs don't have control arms in the rear.

oldmanyoung

Thanks. I have heard/read the mixed reviews about rough country. I could potentially go for something better, I just don’t want that to be the first of a long list of higher spending. I have seen plenty of people saying they didn’t need to get an SYE for vibration reasons, but then also plenty of text saying that it’s something that shouldn’t be skipped for other reasons related to drivetrain wear. Then, after reading that (and deciding that I should be prepared for an SYE/shaft), I read that the SYE should not be done without doing control arms, and then maybe an adjustable track bar to line everything all up. At this point, I’m considering a 2” budget boost via shackles/spacers. I know these get their own set of pros/cons, but in my case and for my needs, the one extra inch of lift doesn’t justify the $1500+ in extra parts.

EatonXJ

​​​​​​For what you're looking to do I think a BB would be fine. Maybe throw on a little bigger set of tires when you need them.
Some good pics here
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/2-...102003/index2/
If I could do again I'd go with a 2.5 OEM lift with 31s and lockers.

oldmanyoung

Looks great, really. I would really love a 3” or 3.5”, and maybe I’ll go that route eventually. But for now, I think the 2” and some 30s will work great for me. I did notice that a lot of the BB kits are actually 1.5” of lift, and read a lot of debate about shackles vs AAL for the rear. The fat bobs kit is only offered with AAL if I understand correctly?

ChuckQue

Hey folks, long time lurker, and I'm ashamed a question forced me to finally register. Here's my issue: time for new tires on the XJ. Here's my current setup:

'01 XJ on 3.5" RE Superflex with 3/4" front spacer, riding on 255/75/R17 BFG M/T's on the 10th Anniversary Rubicon wheels

I am unsure of which adapters are on it. I bought it with these already on it, and it already rubs a little at full lock.

I am looking to put on an A/T that isn't obnoxious on the freeway, since this is a daily driver. The tires I'm leaning towards are the Dick Cepek Trail Country EXP's at 285/70/R17, but the width on them might be too much without increasing the adapter size, plus I don't even know if they will fit on these wheels. I love the look of these wheels, so I don't know what to do. Anyone either have an idea on what kind of adapter size I'd need to make it work? Or, if the tires won't work with those wheels, any recommendations on an A/T tire that is a unicorn and is decent road noise wise, handles rain and can do some wheeling?

I've done a lot of searching regarding this, and I'm at a loss. I haven't been able to find anyone running this setup, though I'm sure it exists...

EatonXJ

It looks like they have a BB kit with shackles. I would go that route because the AAL is going to cause a stiffer ride then eventually sag where as with the shackles you can add new leafs later and still have the lift from the shackles.
​​​​​https://4x4.fatbobsgarage.com/mobile...001-p1984.aspx

EatonXJ

Here are a few good tire size calculators
https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...5r17-285-70r17
https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire...ator/285-70R17
The tires you listed are a little over an inch wider than the ones you have so they would rub more. They will fit on a 7.5 inch wheel though.

jbudz511

If you haven't already ordered your parts you could also look into the upcountry clone route.

A search will net you some results. I think i made a post about it in this thread a little bit earlier, actually. But anyway. I netted about 2 inches. Moog progressive rate coils (about one inch in its own) with teraflex 3/4" spacers in the front. Got the springs on Amazon for $70 i think. Then did the HD crown springs in the back (7in free arch, not the 6 3/8.) Crown #4886186AA. Same stock shackles (partly because i couldn't get the old ones out. And it's even as is). Then did the shorter OME Shocks all around. 1.5-1.75 front and 2-2.25, rear i think. I also got the qtec Rubicon xtreme wheels cause they are cheap alloys that look good (~$90/ea) with 4in backspacing wrapped in 30x9.5 grabber AT/X. I did buy crown end links cause i sheared my old ones off while taking everything apart. But the lift was just a little too tall for them as i broke them after a few weeks. I'm very happy with it overall. In hindsight there's a small part of me that would have wanted to go with the OME 2.5 coils to start but not enough to just buy them and put them on. I did the lift back in November and it's still great. Yesterday i installed jks disco's (pn 2000) they are all the way down, and I think they just make it. Also splurged and put an ome steering stabilizer on it along with the cure from ruffstuff.
The discos haven't really affected the ride quality ( i don't think anyway) but holy smokes after the stabilizer and the cure it's like a new ride again. Stiff but not jarring, eats bumps in the road, and doesn't wander nearly as much. The only time i have slight driveshaft vibes is when I come off the gas and coast in a small range of rpms but is very minimal. Do no tcase drop or sye for me. I haven't wheeled it with the discos but I'm sure it'll rub as it rubbed at full lock when i broke the end links going around corners. Doesn't rub with it connected, at least i haven't made it yet. Entertaining flat flares for a little more clearance but concerned about how it'll look with smaller lift/tires combo. Lift and hardware alone about 900 plus wheels and tires about $1600 total. Certainly could shave about 200-300 with different shocks and more with used tires/rims etc. But after 6 years of driving around stock and finally being done with school and having a job that could afford me some play money i built it how i wanted to. Meets all my needs for light wheeling and still veryyy comfortable on road. Hope my novel is helpful 😂 can provide some pics of necessary
Short of mounting the tires and the alignment after I did the work myself in my driveway with a bunch of harbor freight tools lol so i also saved a few bucks there. Though definitely a time consuming few days doing the work alone.

toddreg

Dont skimp and save on shocks. You will regret it. I would recommend Bilsteins off Amazon- totally affordable.

jbudz511

Yea i also compared pricing on Amazon compared to qtec. No difference for OME shocks pricing. Actually wound up buying front ones off amazon because qtec didn't havethem in stock. I was between Bilsteins and OME. i think anyone will be happy with either shock

Remus Redbone

I have a ‘95 XJ with a very mild lift; 1.0” spacers on the front coils with the old spring pads left in place, and a leaf added in the rear, which probably added close to 2”, but the rear was sagging before. I believe the leaf kit stated 1.0” to 1.5”. I have LT235 / 75 x 15 tires on stock YJ wheels. On a recent off-road trip, I got the Jeep up on two opposite corner wheels several times, leaving the other two wheels spinning in the wind. I managed to work through these spots, but I’m planning to set up the front stabilizer bar with quick-disconnects on the end links to get a little more articulation.

My question is whether I need to change out the front brake lines to something a little longer. I don’t think my lift Is enough to need longer lines, but if I release the stabilizer, will I reach the length limit? Also, I read or heard somewhere that YJ stock lines are a few inches longer than XJ lines, and are better than trying to tie up the excess length of lines designed for a 4 - 6” lift. Can anyone confirm that is correct?

thanks to all,
Remus

fjlsdfj890

I have a 99 XJ with 230,000 miles that appears to be almost completely stock. I'm looking at doing a small lift and hoping to knock out all the major items in one go rather than replacing a lot of components over time. Right now I'm thinking:

- Rubicon Express 3.5" Super-Ride Suspension System with Leaf Springs
- Bilstein 5100 shocks
- SYE (not sure which one yet)
- Rubicon Express Adjustable Track Bar

I'm thinking of doing a refresh on the front suspension at the same time (ball joints, tie-rod ends, etc). I was told the front axle U-joints need to be replaced so already planning on doing that. This is the first time working with a solid front axle as well so mostly trying to ensure I hit all the major items. Still figuring out wheel/tire combos. Thinking of doing 31's, in which case would there be any need to be anything additional for wheel travel (fender trimming/bumpstops)? Also, would anything be required on the steering system (stabilizer?)
Thanks!

jbudz511

See above a few on my novel and that'll give you some ideas. Sway bar end links. Depending on rim backspacing there may be some rubbing on stock LCAs. Steering stabilizer i didn't do initially. Steering components not in terrible shape. Did one while replacing end links. Holy smokes what a difference. That's pretty much it. Would recommend axle u joints if they are going bad. Mine were going bad before it but ignored and it and did then after. What a pain in the a**.