OK so heres the deal, i can lift the xj (98 classic aw4)

I am deciding between 3 inch RC and 4.5 RC-both with full packs

3 inch http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_3x.html

I would run 31 inch tires.

no need to re gear.


4.5 inch kit http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_4.html

i would run 32 inch tires.

I cant afford to re gear for at least a year or 2.


So lets say i get the 4.5 inch kit. since it comes with the t case drop kit i wouldnt need a sye right? i plan on doing shims if i need them.

my daily commute is germantown rd, a very windy steep hill thats about 6-7 miles long. DO you guys think 32's would be fine with stock gears?

What kit would you guys suggest?


I plan on going to 33's eventually so if i bite the bullet and go with the 4.5/32's all i would have to do is re gear and sye and a 2" bb and save some money


Basically what im asking is, is 32s do-able on stock gears with a np242 and aw4?

yes, I drove on 32's and 3.55's for 2 years, its would be a little slow pulling up canyons but held 50-60mph just fine. not worth re-gearing until you go 33"+ IMO.

the T/C drop kit and shims should get you by, but wont know 100% until its on. the 97+ are a little more picky.

I would also cut or get bushwhackers and cut to fit the 33's.

Thanks. Ya i think it should get me by but i CAN NOT afford a sye/driveshaft right now. Im trying to get a place with my woman.


And yes, that would most likely wind up happening lol

i manage fine with my 4.5" on 33s. I got t case drop and shims. Seems like every jeep is different though

My 93 on 4.5 and 33s does fine I got a t case drop and that's it , I get up to 50-55 and get a lil vibes then goes away at Higher speeds , soon to be 35s and I'm not complaining with anything

Do u have tow package with power option button for tranny? If so, just run it all the time like that. What i do.

long arm it and be done

IMO, 31's fail with stock 3.55s. Swapped in 4.10, much better. Similar to stock gearing if not slightly better. For a final of 33's 4.56 would be best. But if you can find axles from a 4 cyl XJ wtih 4.10s would be worth it.
For more than 3" longarms for sure. For later model XJ SYE is usually required for 3"+

For 33s isn't 4.56 a lil deep like wouldn't you run a high rpm on highway speeds ..... ??? Idk much bout gears but heard that from someone

nope, perfect combo.

Hmm learn something new every day sweet

I've got the 4.5in with 33s and 3.07s, no shims, t case drop. It is kind of slow, but it doesn't really bother me. I don't really drive it unless it's snowing or I'm going wheeling though.

I'm guessing you're near Portland? Small word, I used to commute on Germantown too. I'd think your Jeep will do OK on that road with 32's, the 4.0L is tourqey and most of it's pretty slow going. I just went to 31's and the only place I notice much of a difference is longer grades at higher speeds, prime example being Hwy 26 between downtown Portland and the first Beaverton exit, I have to hold third a bit longer than before to maintain speed, but overall it's not too bad. I think your performance would still be OK with 32's although your mileage may suffer driving that hill every day.

As far as needing an SYE it's hard to say. You may get away with just a t-case drop and you may not. I'm at about 4.5" in in the back and I still have vibes. A t-case drop made them bearable but I want to add a SYE to get rid of them completely as soon as I can afford it. My Jeep is a daily driver, if it did't see so many street miles it wouldn't be as much of an issue.

r u wanting to trim ur fenders

Nope, just plain ole auto



Yep, live in hillsboro and work on columbia.
I found some 31's at my work that im getting a discount on ( 8 bucks each) so im just going 3 inch rc now, thing is, should i get AAL or full packs. I want to go 4.5+ within 2 years so i would be buying the packs twice.



NO, i hate it when i see a clean 97+ with chopped up fenders.