Cherry picked 3.5" lift
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
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From: Alamogordo NM
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Like these? Only $179, I like that.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-13-JEEP-WRANGLER-JK-RUBICON-NTO-OEM-HEAVY-DUTY-SHOCK-SET-SAVE-6116-/271190436936?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AJeep&hash=item3f2435ac48&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-13-JEEP-WRANGLER-JK-RUBICON-NTO-OEM-HEAVY-DUTY-SHOCK-SET-SAVE-6116-/271190436936?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AJeep&hash=item3f2435ac48&vxp=mtr
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Sweet, now thats out of the way...
For tires in that price range I'd also recommend Dick Cepek Mud Country's. I got 'em and they rock.
As for lift, I'd recommend OME 2" medium duty rear leafs. They'll sit at about 3" of lift installed. You might add a little lift via shackle to add a bit of height. [$250] + shackles?
Up front I'd recommend Rusty's 3" coils. Again, just add a cheap poly spacer to level it out, you don't need a $200 adj spacer. [$100] + spacers?
For a track bar I'd go with the RE1600. A lot of guys will recommend the IRO double sheer, its a great unit but perhaps overkill for a 3.5" lift. [$130]
For control arms (short arms) I'd go with RE or IRO, prices are about the same. [$180] for adj lowers
Get U-bolts from one of the companies you already ordered from to save on shipping. [$40]
For brake lines and bushings I went with rockauto. Brakelines for a 95 wrangler will work great for this lift. OME leafs use stock style bushings, so I ordered Moog OEM replacement bushings from here as well. A bit cheaper than OME poly bushings but will ride a little better and not squeak so much. [$80] total
That puts you at just under $800 total for a pretty righteous 3.5" lift with all quality components. Spend the extra money you save how you see fit (wheels?).
Last edited by PNWjeeper; Apr 16, 2013 at 04:00 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 812
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From: Kansas City, MO
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Alamogordo NM
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Why yes it is beautiful, too bad so many military people stationed at Holloman AFB hate the area, they are always so puzzled when I tell them that I chose to retire here 
oh and yes the off-roading is as close as it looks.
Meanwhile back to my new acquisition, the frame basically looks like new, not the slightest bit of rust. The original owners manual was in the glove box and the original owner (whose name was written in the front cover) lived in Cloudcroft NM, just a few miles from here, no date of purchase however, no biggie.
The bad news is that it would appear that the last oil change was due at 206,000 miles back in June of 2008, at least thats what the window sticker indicates. Lets just assume for the moment that that is the case, it still runs but I probably should have double checked the oil level before I drove home because I just looked at the dip stick and it is bone dry now even though there was oil on it when I looked at it last week. The engine leaks like a sieve but I am pretty sure that it would have seized up pretty quickly if there wasn't any oil at all in it, I don't want to do an oil change because I want to tear down the engine and replace every gasket possible. (Edit: I am going to add a couple of quarts of oil for the time being
There is also a grinding sound coming from the rear axle, hopefully it just needs new bearings, but the most important thing is that the frame is in great shape, the rest can be rebuilt or replaced.
oh and yes the off-roading is as close as it looks.Meanwhile back to my new acquisition, the frame basically looks like new, not the slightest bit of rust. The original owners manual was in the glove box and the original owner (whose name was written in the front cover) lived in Cloudcroft NM, just a few miles from here, no date of purchase however, no biggie.
The bad news is that it would appear that the last oil change was due at 206,000 miles back in June of 2008, at least thats what the window sticker indicates. Lets just assume for the moment that that is the case, it still runs but I probably should have double checked the oil level before I drove home because I just looked at the dip stick and it is bone dry now even though there was oil on it when I looked at it last week. The engine leaks like a sieve but I am pretty sure that it would have seized up pretty quickly if there wasn't any oil at all in it, I don't want to do an oil change because I want to tear down the engine and replace every gasket possible. (Edit: I am going to add a couple of quarts of oil for the time being
There is also a grinding sound coming from the rear axle, hopefully it just needs new bearings, but the most important thing is that the frame is in great shape, the rest can be rebuilt or replaced.
Last edited by OnlyinaXJ; Apr 16, 2013 at 11:16 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Alamogordo NM
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Actually I'm just going to do an engine flush and oil change now with the cheapest oil I can get, then do another flush before I change all of the engine gaskets and seals (rear main, oil pan, head gasket, exhaust manifold, valve cover, new water pump, flush the coolant system, ect. ect.), any advice regarding my engine situation would be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
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From: Alamogordo NM
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Here are some high resolution picts of the engine and frame, after $5 worth of car wash tokens, which barely scratched the surface of the the numerous layers of oil and dust.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 604
Likes: 1
From: California
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 i6
I was a less smart boy back then, I'm much more educated now 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
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From: Alamogordo NM
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Were you trying to spray off all the brown stuff on the frame rail? Cause that's undercoating... when I first got my jeep I tried doing that in the wheel wells, I didn't take it all off, but I was going to thinking it was old oil and grease but luckily my dad yelled at me and told me other wise. I was a less smart boy back then, I'm much more educated now
I was a less smart boy back then, I'm much more educated now 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
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From: Alamogordo NM
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
This jeep forum post by depod was why I went with the HD OME CS035RA leaf springs
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/o...79/index5.html
I just wanted to put some info and my personal experience in this thread for future searches.
Just because the leafs are labeled HD doesn't mean they will be stiff or ride rough. Here is some spring rate info on the OME leafs
CS034RA (medium 2.5") 5 leaves in pack, 148lbs/inch s.r. 230mm free height
CS034RB (light 2") 5 leaves in pack, 148lbs/inch s.r. 205mm free height
CS035RA (3" HD) 4 + 1 overload, 137/257lbs/in s.r. 235mm free height
CS035RB (2" HD) 4 + 1 overload, 137/257lbs/in s.r. 210mm free height
You can see how the HD packs actually have less spring rate before you factor in the overload leaf so they will actually be softer for on road driving than the medium duty packs.
I have the HD packs and they ride and flex great. I took off the overload leaf since I don't tow and they tend to scoop up dirt while wheeling. I got exactly 2" from mine after they settled and have stayed the same height for the year that I have owned them (but if you keep the overload you'll be at about .5" higher than me).
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/o...79/index5.html
I just wanted to put some info and my personal experience in this thread for future searches.
Just because the leafs are labeled HD doesn't mean they will be stiff or ride rough. Here is some spring rate info on the OME leafs
CS034RA (medium 2.5") 5 leaves in pack, 148lbs/inch s.r. 230mm free height
CS034RB (light 2") 5 leaves in pack, 148lbs/inch s.r. 205mm free height
CS035RA (3" HD) 4 + 1 overload, 137/257lbs/in s.r. 235mm free height
CS035RB (2" HD) 4 + 1 overload, 137/257lbs/in s.r. 210mm free height
You can see how the HD packs actually have less spring rate before you factor in the overload leaf so they will actually be softer for on road driving than the medium duty packs.
I have the HD packs and they ride and flex great. I took off the overload leaf since I don't tow and they tend to scoop up dirt while wheeling. I got exactly 2" from mine after they settled and have stayed the same height for the year that I have owned them (but if you keep the overload you'll be at about .5" higher than me).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Alamogordo NM
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ok so here's my Rough Country long arm upgrade build, let me know what you think
5.5” lift
Rubicon Express RE1665 Track Bar Bracket for HD XJ/ZJ by Rubicon Express $52.37
Rubicon Express RE1660 Track Bar for Jeep XJ/ZJ by Rubicon Express $117.02
Rubicon Express RE1670 Track Bar Bracket Brace by Rubicon Express $59.89
Rubicon Express RE1345 5.5" Coil Spring for Jeep XJ $87 + free sh
RE total: $317
ARB CS035RA (3" HD) 4 + 1 overload, 137/257lbs/in s.r. 235mm free height Old Man Emu/Dakar Leaf Spring ($125.69 ea) $250 + free shipping
ARB total: $250
XJ front shock
5.0 - 6.0” LIFT PN BIL24-185943.16.97" - 28.44" Travel Length: 11.47" $85.97 x 2 = $172
XJ rear shock
5.0 - 6.0” LIFT PN BIL33-151663. 15.91" - 25.93" Travel Length: 10.02" $75.69 x 2 = $152
Bilstein Total: $324
Rough Country 689U Jeep Cherokee XJ Long Arm Upgrade Kit $649.95 + $54 = $704
EXTREME DUTY ADJUSTABLE REAR LIFT SHACKLES. 1.75" to 3.5." lift $145.50
Suspension total: $1740
5.5” lift
Rubicon Express RE1665 Track Bar Bracket for HD XJ/ZJ by Rubicon Express $52.37
Rubicon Express RE1660 Track Bar for Jeep XJ/ZJ by Rubicon Express $117.02
Rubicon Express RE1670 Track Bar Bracket Brace by Rubicon Express $59.89
Rubicon Express RE1345 5.5" Coil Spring for Jeep XJ $87 + free sh
RE total: $317
ARB CS035RA (3" HD) 4 + 1 overload, 137/257lbs/in s.r. 235mm free height Old Man Emu/Dakar Leaf Spring ($125.69 ea) $250 + free shipping
ARB total: $250
XJ front shock
5.0 - 6.0” LIFT PN BIL24-185943.16.97" - 28.44" Travel Length: 11.47" $85.97 x 2 = $172
XJ rear shock
5.0 - 6.0” LIFT PN BIL33-151663. 15.91" - 25.93" Travel Length: 10.02" $75.69 x 2 = $152
Bilstein Total: $324
Rough Country 689U Jeep Cherokee XJ Long Arm Upgrade Kit $649.95 + $54 = $704
EXTREME DUTY ADJUSTABLE REAR LIFT SHACKLES. 1.75" to 3.5." lift $145.50
Suspension total: $1740