Baught a new Jeep 2000 XJ and have questions
 

I finally got an XJ again. I sold my 98 XJ last year, baught a YJ Wrangler on 35's and basically regreted it after less than a week. The Wrangler was really awesome but I dont see how anyone would ever drive it on a daily basis. Anyways my new ride is a 2000 with a 4.5in lift and 33 in goodyear wrangler tires. I have custom rock bumpers and a roof rack. I will post some pics this weekend. I have a Chrysler 8.25 axle in a rear and a d30 up front. I have not taken it wheeling yet but when I put it in 4x4 and turn the tires the front whines and makes a ratcheting sound. Is that what I should hear if the front had a locker in it? The PO did not mention having it locked so I am leaning more towards a theory that something is broken. Thanks

One more thing I wanted to ask. It has a 4.5in lift already with a transfer case dropped. I want to add spacers and blocks to basically lift it a bit more but don't want to spend a lot of cash. (I already paid a little too much for this Jeep as they are not easy to come by around here, especiall when you need one). I wanted to know if anybody is running a 4.5 lift + 2in spacers up front and shimmed blocks in the rear. Or is that too much lift without a SYE.

Dont use blocks just buy shackles or a shackle relocation kit they give you around 1.5 inch of lift

Right. I could do shackles also. I am concerned about driveline vibrations because I dont have a SYE. I could do shackles and 4 degree shims I guess. Either way I do it this is my question. 4.5 lift + 2 more inches that i want to add with shims and a 1 inch transfer case drop. Will that work without an SYE

dont use blocks. shackles are cheaper and safer. and is the whinning coming from the axle or the tcase? it sould be the driveshaft u joints also. you may want to take the front drive shaft off and see if the noise is gone.

Sounds like its coming from the axle. And its more of a ratcheting sound thats the most noticable. Doesnt sound like u joints. I will take a look at it this weekend. Just wanted to know if anyone had a similar problem.

If you go 2" more, you are going to have problems with no SYE on such a new XJ. I have a 4.5" lift and I went ahead and went with the SYE. I didn't like having my tcase dropped, and you can't legitimately drop it enough to make that 6-6.5" lift work.

Factor in the cost (even if it's just a hack-n-tap, which is what I have) of the SYE with your new lift parts. Only when you can buy both should you buy one.