First time lift, need some advice
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: Rockford, IL
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
As far as the rough country stuff goes.. there will always be people who praise their lifts. Theyre either one of the lucky ones or simply have nothing to compare it to. Bought my xj lifted with rc parts.. theyve all since been replaced with higher quality stuff. Do it once and do it right. IF you need to lift on a budget id suggest buying new front springs from anyone but rc (mine were soft and rode like a boat) and then look into a bastard pack for the rear if you feel you could tackle that. with the right springs itll be good quality for hardly any dough
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Model: Cherokee
I would rather spend the money and do it right the first time which is why I'm staying away from aal and bastard packs. But if it's going to end up costing a lot more than stock parts then maybe the lift kit isn't for me. I wanted to try to keep everything within a $1000 budget including everything I would need to do it which the rc kit would do shipping and taxes in.
::CF Administrator::
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,479
Likes: 805
From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Sorry I haven't replied earlier, I'm working nights this week and I just woke up.
When I said I have done extensive research I meant that I've never even owned a rear wheel drive vehicle before and I didn't want to ask obvious questions on a new thread so I've spent the last week or so scouring different forums and websites learning things from simple terminology to more technical things like how shackle length affects spring rate. So by all means I don't think I know everything otherwise I wouldn't be posting here lol
It's funny how you guys don't seem to like rc spension, other places I've read it seems to be quite popular. But I'm open to suggestions on that.
Anyway as for things I would be doing with it. Honestly nothing I wouldn't be doing with a stock setup with the 235/75R15 tires I have on it. I've taken it down trails for hunting before and yes I came across some areas that a lifted mud tired jeep would have gotten me through. But I was perfectly happy with the way it is now except for the fact that the rear leafs are starting to look like small W's.
With all that said if you guys can recommend somewhere to get a good set of stock replacement suspension parts for a good price I'd be happy with that. I live in canada so make sure the companies you suggest ship here. Like I said earlier the small lift kits seemed to be similar in price or not much more as a stock kit so I figured why not?
When I said I have done extensive research I meant that I've never even owned a rear wheel drive vehicle before and I didn't want to ask obvious questions on a new thread so I've spent the last week or so scouring different forums and websites learning things from simple terminology to more technical things like how shackle length affects spring rate. So by all means I don't think I know everything otherwise I wouldn't be posting here lol
It's funny how you guys don't seem to like rc spension, other places I've read it seems to be quite popular. But I'm open to suggestions on that.
Anyway as for things I would be doing with it. Honestly nothing I wouldn't be doing with a stock setup with the 235/75R15 tires I have on it. I've taken it down trails for hunting before and yes I came across some areas that a lifted mud tired jeep would have gotten me through. But I was perfectly happy with the way it is now except for the fact that the rear leafs are starting to look like small W's.
With all that said if you guys can recommend somewhere to get a good set of stock replacement suspension parts for a good price I'd be happy with that. I live in canada so make sure the companies you suggest ship here. Like I said earlier the small lift kits seemed to be similar in price or not much more as a stock kit so I figured why not?
You need to ask yourself what it is you want out of a kit. Superior ride on and off road? Mainly on-road with the rare dirt excursion? These are the questions we can't answer. If you're happy with your stock ride, and all this seems too daunting, go with stock replacements. If you're dead set on lifting, read read read. A week is not much time for proper research. Make your judgement call after you get some more education. Don't always go by reviews on the company's website either. Or just do what everyone else seems to do and buy RC. You might get lucky, LMAO
Last edited by Rogue4x4; Oct 25, 2014 at 05:41 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,643
Likes: 1
I would rather spend the money and do it right the first time which is why I'm staying away from aal and bastard packs. But if it's going to end up costing a lot more than stock parts then maybe the lift kit isn't for me. I wanted to try to keep everything within a $1000 budget including everything I would need to do it which the rc kit would do shipping and taxes in.
For some people 2000$ and it would still not be "
Right"
RC while I will agree on the shocks being cheap the rest work good for the majority. They are the number one selling suspension. Cheap or whatever. It is what it is.
Bastard packs and aal's are not wrong. They serve a purpose and are right for many applications. As well as blocks and spacers.
What you have to decide it what is right for your application. And the funny thing is you can research for months on this, make your choice only to find out down the road something else would have worked better for you.
Don't sweat it. Do your best, make a decision and work it out. This should be exciting/fun, not a job.
Last edited by holycaveman; Oct 25, 2014 at 06:00 PM.
::CF Administrator::
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,479
Likes: 805
From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
"Right" is completely subjective to a single opinion.
I agree...
For some people 2000$ and it would still not be "
Right"
Again, I agree...
RC while I will agree on the shocks being cheap the rest work good for the majority. They are the number one selling suspension. Cheap or whatever. It is what it is.
I don't agree. They sell alot BECAUSE they are low cost. People are cheap.
Bastard packs and aal's are not wrong. They serve a purpose and are right for many applications. As well as blocks and spacers.
Again, I agree...but not with the blocks. I run a bastard pack rear leaf setup on my rig, built it myself, and it has performed great.
What you have to decide it what is right for your application. And the funny thing is you can research for months on this, make your choice only to find out down the road something else would have worked better for you.
Only way to know is to try different setups and make a judgement call.
Don't sweat it. Do your best, make a decision and work it out. This should be exciting/fun, not a job.
It should be exciting and fun, but ALSO a job. Nothing comes easy. Unless you throw a checkbook at it. LOL
I agree...
For some people 2000$ and it would still not be "
Right"
Again, I agree...
RC while I will agree on the shocks being cheap the rest work good for the majority. They are the number one selling suspension. Cheap or whatever. It is what it is.
I don't agree. They sell alot BECAUSE they are low cost. People are cheap.
Bastard packs and aal's are not wrong. They serve a purpose and are right for many applications. As well as blocks and spacers.
Again, I agree...but not with the blocks. I run a bastard pack rear leaf setup on my rig, built it myself, and it has performed great.
What you have to decide it what is right for your application. And the funny thing is you can research for months on this, make your choice only to find out down the road something else would have worked better for you.
Only way to know is to try different setups and make a judgement call.
Don't sweat it. Do your best, make a decision and work it out. This should be exciting/fun, not a job.
It should be exciting and fun, but ALSO a job. Nothing comes easy. Unless you throw a checkbook at it. LOL
Last edited by Rogue4x4; Oct 25, 2014 at 06:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Model: Cherokee
I suppose to me "right" is having it perform as if it came from the factory or better with a 3" lift or whatever size I go with. But I also don't want to spend a fortune and spend lots of time fine tuning everything. (I do enjoy doing that kind of stuff but not at this point in my life). So after reading what everyone has said so far and seeing as I never had a problem with the stock height other than it being worn out, I think I'll stick with what the jeep engineers designed and keep it ome replacement.
So who sells quality stock suspension other than the dealership?
So who sells quality stock suspension other than the dealership?
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
I believe ARB has been discontinuing OME components for the XJ. Hard to find these days.
Zone is a reputable beginner lift. Have you seen this? http://www.zoneoffroad.ca/suspension...kit-xj-zonj21/
Note that they're in BC. No idea how much shipping is to wherever you are.
Control arms and **** can often be found used locally for a discount. I got some RE fixed LCAs for $30 or $40.
Zone is a reputable beginner lift. Have you seen this? http://www.zoneoffroad.ca/suspension...kit-xj-zonj21/
Note that they're in BC. No idea how much shipping is to wherever you are.
Control arms and **** can often be found used locally for a discount. I got some RE fixed LCAs for $30 or $40.
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Concord, NC
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You can also piece together a lift through amazon. Depending on what you replace/upgrade, you can probably save some money that way. Not sure if you are amazon prime eligible in Canada to save on shipping though.
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Amazon Canada does have Prime but it's almost a different website from the US. A lot of **** they won't ship up here, and the second it hits a border the Prime thing is cancelled I believe.
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