So we bought our son a high mileage 99XJ 170,000, has good heads (no coil pack) runs really well and strong. My mechanic, says it's real solid aside from some surface rust and advised it will eventually need:

-Tires -Shocks
-Front ball joints (slight moment with a pry bar). -Tranny cooling lines

He has saved up some money and I've swayed him to Rusty's 3" full leaf lift and tire package. (such a great deal, wish they offered more for JKs for me.) Our shop quoted $800 for the install, but said that's all pending the belly pan and if the bolts are stuck or rusted in.

Could we prepare his XJ prior by hosing all the bolts with Break Free for a few weeks prior, and would that make a difference? Or is it just not worth it with modding it in that capacity? Attachment 277898 Thanks guys, great forum!

 

Nice!

Definitely hit all of the bolts with PB Blaster (or penetrant your choice) every day for about a week before install. Pay particular attention to the shackle and upper rear shock bolts.
$800 seems a little high to me for install of springs and shocks, but I can see it taking longer with problematic bolts.
Do you have the ability or desire to do it yourself? Could be a great father/son bonding experience between wrench throwing and cussing episodes.

 

With basic hand tools you could do it in a weekend. If you don't have any tools, $800 would buy you alot.

 

Thanks for the response, great info. Yeah think $800 is a bit much too, they did advise they were figuring extra labor for unseen problems. They have been good to me and would reduce the bill if it didn't require all the anticipated time.

I would love to give it a try ourselves. My buddy has offered up his place which has a better selection of tools and space. It definitely sounds like a lot of fun to me. I tend to be the person who brings out the mechanical gremlins when attempting and DIY. What the hell tho...right? ;-)

I really love these XJs, there stout engines are sweet memory of what real SUV and Trucks are supposed to be made of.

Wish us luck and I'll keep everyone posted.....

 

That's a great point, we are going to give it a try on our own. 👍

 

Not only will you be able to use those tools for other projects but since you're going to be putting the lift on yourselves, if something breaks on the trail at least you'll know how to fix it.

 

Whether you do it or the shop, soak every bolt with penetrating oil everyday for a week or two.

Pay extra attention to the front leaf spring bolts, upper shackle bolts, crossmember bolts, and upper rear shock bolts.

There's a 99% chance you'll break the upper rear shock bolts but they're super easy to fix. Google the trick to prepare yourself.

 

You won't be disappointed. It's not the easiest thing to do, since most of these xj's have a decent amount of rust. But it isn't very difficult with all of the info available at your fingertips today.
Plus, you can save some of that install cash for your alignment, lockers, beer, etc.

 

You can buy a lot of beer for $800

 

you can buy a lot of replacement parts and accessories for $800 bucks. I do all the work on my cars myself as I can do what a shop would charge me $1000 for, for $100.

 

You guys are awesome, love the way you think! Thanks so much for all the insight and advice.