soundsmith89

Hello everyone...

First off, thanks for all of the advice and good reads I've gotten off here the last couple of years...

I am in the market for a lift for my 1998 XJ...

4.0L - HP D30 - C8.25 - NP231 - AW4

-I am looking for a 3-3.5" lift
-I want (need) new leaf packs
-I already have an appropriate sized new trackbar

Am I correct in understanding that Zone is manufactured by BDS?

Do you think the Zone Offroad 3" kit w/shocks is a good starting point to build around? I have to piece the entire setup together over time, but I would like to add additional pieces, such as quick disconnects, lower control arms, etc...

I am going to get longer brake lines and such too... I also already have an SYE in the box...

Am I going in a good direction with this, or is there a better route to doing this?

Thanks for your input!

Ianf406

Zone is owned by the same parent company as BDS but they are not manufactured by them. That being said, they seem to be really good quality for the price and I haven't seen any complaints.

Sounds like you are on the right path... (depending on what you plan to do with it) Certainly get full leaf springs. Everyone will have opinions on what lift you should run but none of us have even tried 1/10th of them. Guy I wheel with loves his zone kit as does every review ive seen.

I can't think of anything your missing other than tires!

ThatDude114

You definitely seem to be headed down the right path here. Since you'll be piecing the kit together, if you aren't planning on having a heavy front bumper or something then I'd recommend taking a look at different coil springs. There's nothing wrong with Zone's they're just stiff with no weight up front.

soundsmith89

Thanks for the insight... I do already have one of JCR's older model Pre-runner front bumpers already on the XJ... No winch, but I plan to use a winch cradle in the future, since I have a receiver front and rear...

EM98XJ

I have had my Zone 3" kit on for a little over a year now and love it. I think it is a great kit to start with at a good price.

Fred/N0AZZ

In any base kit what your paying for are the springs and leafs the same as with a high end one. All springs/leafs are not equal and how you use them will show the difference even more quickly as far as sag and ride quality goes.

That said Rustys Off Road has excellent springs/leafs all American made in there kits and hold up very well, in fact I'm still using his 3" leafs with 1 1/2" Boomerang shackles now at 4 1/2"'s of lift. They have been on for over 3 yrs. now and with zero sag, with his 3" kit you get a choice of spring weights. I had the heavy 180# ones because of a winch and bumper that required it.

All the entry level kits have cheap shocks with them but they do work till your able to upgrade.

straxcla

I also have the Zone 3in lift with full leafs. Honestly I bought it because it was cheap. Also I've heard both good and bad things about Rusty's, Rough Country, etc. The only bad thing I've EVER heard about Zone springs are that they are too stiff, which can be good depending on what you're looking for. I would recommend it if you are on a budget. Also when you are shopping for lifts, find out the part number for the kit, then look it up on Ebay. I saved myself about $100 because I scored free shipping from an Ebay retailer. Good luck!