I have an absolute beater, missing back seats with plywood flat bed, crushed in roof (tho the doors still close, kinda) shot stock suspension with 30s. im thinking of a quick easy cheap lift, and had seen lots of good options. Im wondering if the SYE is necessary because it seems like a pain in the ***. I see lots of lifted xj and wonder if everyone ends up doing it? Is it a must?

 

Some need an SYE even with a 3in lift. Yes, SYE for above 3 inches. The angle is too great for the stock shaft and you will get driveline vibrations. The vibrations also strain many parts of your driveline and increase wear on those parts.

Your current stock shaft operates on a slip, which allows the shaft to increase/decrease length when the axle moves up and down. In theory if you lifted high enough and drooped the rear axle...your shaft would pop off the slip aaaand you would pole vault your jeep.

 

Most of the time you can get by without one using a TC drop kit or shims in the differential, then again some may not need that or others a full SYE.


You just have to do the lift and see but most do not. BTW avoid real cheap lifts they can get you into trouble off road or on.

 

I'm at 4" of lift without an SYE or t case drop. Very little driveline vibes. I will be installing a 231 with SYE in a few weeks just for the future plans of a taller lift. It would be wise to do it either way.

 

for a beater just get a t-case drop

if you take care of your XJ and don't mind dishing out the money, then get a SYE, but a drop will be plenty fine. watch your tranny and motor mounts though, if they're on their way out it won't help.

 

On my 99 XJ i went with a 3" rough country lift and got bad vibes at 50 mph. I did not have a tcase drop. after a year of dealing with that i got a JB conversions SYE and bought a used V8 grand cherokee driveshaft. Install was VERY easy. left the tcase in the jeep the whole time. and it only cost me $250 for everything! including new u joints.
Check out my build thread for pics and more details.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/storm-trooper-52510/

 

I didnt go with a tcase drop because it is tough on your motor mounts. and the stock XJ motor mounts are already pretty terrible by design.

 

I usually recommend a sye but honestly this sounds like a crappy fun beater. Not much road use probably and not worth investing in so I say deal with the vibes, transfer case drop or if you really care sye in that order. If I had a beater I wouldn't worry about it but mine is a Daily driver and still pretty good condition.

 

Get a decent 4.5" lift and run it. Stick some limiting straps on the rear axle and beat it.

 

Might check out the Low CG sticky thread for some ideas. Unless you need extra clearance.