Hey guys this is sort of a repost..but at this point I'm mainly trying to determine what to do about the silly looking rake after a 2" AAL install... So any opinions/advise would be much appreciated..here it goes:

98' XJ with over 200K miles, 5speed.. I bought it about a year ago.

Just installed a 2" zone AAL lift kit.. new OE replacement lower control arms, and I also replaced my old leaf springs with the Dorman Brand OE replacements..(because the old ones were shot) Thus adding the AAL that came with the Zone lift kit to the brand new replacement springs.. I know I could have just got a 3" lift with full replacements springs etc.. but I did my research and decided 2" is all I wanted..

Of course now I have some new driveline vibrations (which I was expecting, and I'm also gonna address this after I get the height I want) but heres the kicker with the new OE replacement leaf springs + AAL combo I'm getting about 3-1/2" of lift on the rear it's got a definite rake...more than I'd like but I've read that the springs will "settle"

Just to experiment I put about 360lbs (9 bags) of wood pellets in the back this just about leveled the Jeep.. and went for a drive...this smoothed out the vibrations a bunch.. not completely smooth like before the lift but way better... OK so I fully expected the vibrations however I wasn't expecting the excessive lift from the AAL and new OE springs.

Here's the numbers:
Measured from Center of the hub cap to the bottom of the fender flare.

Before Lift:
Front Left/Right - 17-5/8" aprox
Rear Left- 17", Right 17-3/8"

After Lift
Front Left/Right - 19-1/2"
Rear Left/Right - 20-1/2"

So the numbers after the lift 1" higher in the back ... doesn't seem bad but look at the pics..

First pic -Stock
Second - after lift loaded with 360 lbs in back
Thirst - after lift no weight in back..

 

the springs will settle, You should ride around with that weight in the back of it for a month or so and they will settle faster.

 

I just put bushwhacker flat style fender flares on my xj and I was wonderin if I would be able to clear 33's with a 3.5" lift or would I have to go to 4"

 

LOL I was thinking that... it's been about 5 days and it's killing my mileage... but I'm not complaining... it rides better than worn out stock..

 

Pics or it didn't happen. Plus we'll need to see how much you trimmed.

 

You could probably fit 35s I run 33s on a 3.5 inch lift, with trimmed fenders. I have plenty of room.

 

I'm gonna be running 35's on 4.5 with wackers (so not trimed a lot)

 

What would I have to do to fit 31 on a stock xj

 

Throw em on. Trim a little. Bumpstop a little. And adjust your steering stops

 

Where would I have to trim how do I add bump stop and steering stop I am new to all this

 

Site search and Google are your friends.

 

Would they fit if I put 1" spacers and 1" shackles

 

They will fit with trimming. Bump stops. And adjusting your steering stops........

 

I guess this is more appropriate here but how far do you cut on the rear cut an fold? Doesn't seem like much at all

 

I took mine pretty far, are you going flare less?