Hello all. I just bought my first Jeep. It is an 01 XJ sport, automatic, 4 dr, 4x4. It is 100% stock
The things I want to do to it i have broken down into "phases". Phase 1 is gonna be ;4"-4.5" Lift, Tires/Wheels, Bumper and Winch.
The questions i have for this phase are;
-Do i need/should i have steering stabilizers for a 4" lift?
-Do i need/should i have sway bar drops for the 4" lift?
-What is (if any) the advantage of longer sway bar links over a sway bar drop?
-Can i fit 305/70/17's under it with enough clearance?
-What is the best lift for the money?
Any info you can give me is very much appreciated. This is my first Jeep so i am unfamiliar. I am doing much of the work myself and will be posting before, during and after pics. from each stage.

Thanks in advance.
-Cody

U don't need a steering stabilizer although it would be a good idea to get a new one cuz depending in how old/ many miles u have on your jeep it's pretty worn. Lift size doesn't matter with a stabilizer. If u buy a lift over 3" it will cone with longer sway bar links. The spacer is for ppl who don't have longer links. As for the best lift for the money. You get what u pay for. A cheap $ lift will be cheap. A big $$ lift will be quality. 305's on a 4" lift is big. Your gonna have to hack your fenders. Good luck with the install........ Your gonna need it

you dont need a steering stabilizer, but it will probably come with the kit so it wouldnt hurt to throw one on there. I haven't ran one in over a year.

your going to want sway bar disconnects, they sell them according to lift size, or you could fab up something yourself if you so choose.

why do you want 17s? the tires are going to be twice as expensive. and yes you will be able to fit that tire on that lift but you will have to trim and bumpstop accordingly so your tires dont get hacked to **** on your fenders.

and as mentioned, with lifts-you get what you pay for.

I have about 1000.00 to throw at a lift if I can do the work myself, I can give the whole 1000 into the hardware. If there is welding or it requires more than a set of"shade tree" tools I might have to get it done professionally. That ,obviously, will eat into the money. I'm looking for something I can do over a weekend, but is still quality.
Wheels are the style I want but only 17s come in a -12 offset. I am going to trim the finders for the bushwackers I'm putting on it. Sway bar disconnect is in the budget..

most off the shelf kits are bolt-on and require no real fab work or welding. unless you go long arm then you'll have to cut the lower control arm mounts off.

with $1000 you might be able to spring for the rubicon express 4.5" lift kit, which of course will come with EVEYRTHING you will need for the lift.

A properly aligned rig never needs a steering stabilizer.

Buy or build your own Quick Disconnects, no need to lower the swaybar.

"Best" is a relative term when it comes to your money and lift kits.

Any tire will fit with enough lift, trimming, and bumpstops.

If you are going 4 inches you may need extended brake lines. You may also need a transfer case drop which is not too big of an expense. As for the sway bars, I would get quick disconnects ones.

q1) Do i need/should i have steering stabilizers for a 4" lift?

A1) If your stock unit is still working then NO... but it is likely leaking and not working correctly


q2) Do i need/should i have sway bar drops for the 4" lift?

a1) I think you mean swap bar extensions... it is a good idea to extend the links the same amount you lift the jeep


q3) Can i fit 305/70/17's under it with enough clearance?

a3) well that tire is almost 34" tall and is about 12" wide... I think it will depend on your wheel offset but you will likely need to trim your fend well or run some bump stops

q4) What is the best lift for the money?

for the money, but you will be at the limit for track bar relocation and you will have to shim the lower control arms, also I would only go this route if your rear springs are in good shape... you might also consider an adjustable shackle:
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_4.html


I would try to go with this kit... it cost more but has WAY more parts and a full leaf setup in the rear... the lower arms also help you get more articulation

my buddy installed this kit on his XJ and it is impressive

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_4x.html

but IF YOU PLAN TO ROCK CRAWL I would consider a long arm kit

BUT it will put you over budget

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_4xla.html

The tire I actually want would be a 295 60 17, but they don't make a tire in that size except for a mud tire. I have to go with an AT cause this build will be a daily driver as well as a weekend recreation vehicle. I am starting to think a 4" might be a little too extreme for my application.

The tire I actually want would be a 295 60 17, but they don't make a tire in that size except for a mud tire. I have to go with an AT cause this build will be a daily driver as well as a weekend recreation vehicle. I am starting to think a 4" might be a little too extreme for my application.

I am thinking the 3.5 Ruicon with full set of rear leafs will be a good setup..

What about the Rubicon 3.5"? I would like to see pictures of jeeps with the 3.5" and the 4". I know i don't want to go higher than a 4". I must rethink my Tire/wheel setup..

Don't plan on doing any serious crawling, some, but it would be mild. The kit you suggested is what i want to go with, i need to have the full rear leafs (not the add a leaf) I think that may be the best way to go.. What ever i get, i want it to be quality and done right.. I do not want to cut corners. I had a truck with a 6" and I had allot of problems because of corners being cut and shoddy installation. This also will be my daily driver. Do you think a 4" will be too much? I am not quite suer what a 4" will even look like.. I would like to see some with a 4" kit on it, just for a visual reference. What about a 3.5" lift? Thanks for all the info.. Any pictures with these options on it?

A 4" lift sitting on 31's is a great setup for a day driver. And it's very capable offroad. If u go with the 305's your gonna have to regear so u can have some power as a dd. 31's don't require u to regear And it still looks BA.