I have a 99 xj it's got a little over a 5" lift running brand new 31 10.5 15s on it. I put it in 4 high and it feels like it binding up almost like I left the emergency break on. I only went about 4 ft then stopped. I also installed a azzy design after market 4x4 shift linkage in it. Could it be cause I dont have a T-case drop ? I'm not completely sure if my gear ratio is correct in my rear because it's got a ford 8.8 I'm pretty sure with no axle tag. I plan on counting my gears this weekend. But any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

So you did all the work to put a Ford 8.8 in and didn't even check the gear ratio? That could be your problem. If you pulled it out of an explorer 3.73 and 4.10 gears are the most common in those, and having different gear ratios will certainly cause it to bind up when you put it in 4x4.

 

I should have added that I didn't do the build or swap the axle.

 

I think you should be able to check this way, lift the vehicle, mark tyre and driveshaft, carefully count an record respective turns

to do it really accurately, the wheel and driveshaft should be rotated the same number of times as the ring & pinion gear teeth

 

I was planning on trying to do this weekend to thank you

 

Could be driveshaft bind

 

like the drive shaft is un balanced ?

 

No.
The two parts could be binding at the universal joint.
I am not sure how much lift it would take but at some point it will happen

 

If that was the problem it would be binding in 2wd also.

 

Ah yes you are right. I missed the 4hi part

 

Start by verifying that you have the same gear ratio in both axles.