Barrera13

Whats up Jeep Nation!
So I'm a little stuck on this and I just want to know what some of you have experienced and have done to your rigs.
I have a 98 Jeep XJ Limited, Im planning to put a lift kit on it, but I've just been working on all the other little leaks and stuff on it first before I lift it.
So I just found out that an SYE kit is needed after a certain amount of lift.
Some say you need it some say they "don't use it on there's"...
Some have had bad experiences without it and some not so much!
​​​​​​​​​​​​​Keep in my I won't be hardcore off-roading or rock crawling, just moderate trails.. Pretty much just want my Jeep to have a meaner look to it..
So I guess my question is...... Do you really need an SYE or do you not???????

Big David

Lift it & then see.
It really depends on your Jeep & how much you lift it.

Barrera13

Looking to put a 4.5 inch lift on it...
I guess what I'm worried about is after the lift is installed if im risking my driveshaft falling out without the SYE.
Or if i should be okay aslong as i dont go off-roading or on trails until i get an SYE.

Martlor13

Its not about whether your driveshaft will fall out. Although, i nean, it could possibly....but lifting your jeep without an sye can cause driveline vibrations. Sye helps fix the angles the driveline is operating at.

investinwaffles

Your driveshaft may only fall put during extreme stress, where the rear axle is at max extension downwards, not that big of a concern. If it does pop out, just remove the bolts holding the u joint to the axle and re-insert it.

More likely is you will have driveline vibrations after lifting it. I would recommend installing a SYE over a transfer case drop. I got my Advance Adapters from Summit Racing on sale for $200 but I ended up needing to spend another $80 to have a junkyard shaft rebalanced (but I also have a Ford rear axle and a manual transmission, which is not a common combination and I couldn't find a shaft long enough). Automatic XJ's use a shorter rear shaft that is much easier to find (front shaft from a ZJ Grand Cherokee)

The install was easy, I opted to leave my transfer case in the vehicle and it took me probably 3-4 hours start to finish, plus another 2-3 hours to change the motor and trans mounts which I did at the same time.

One required tool is a good set of external lock-ring pliers (NOT snap ring pliers). I bought some at Sears for $25 or so

Edit: as previously stated - every rig is different. But at 4.5" of lift, I think almost all XJ setups are going to require a t-case drop or SYE to get the driveline angles where they need to be

texastaz38

Check out "New Kind of Clowns" lift chart in the stickies at the top of the page posted by Outlaw Star. All the info you need to make it work.


41/2" lift is alot for just general use and fire roads. That much lift creates a lot more issues besides SYE or Tranny drop. Check out the post.


Happy Jeepin' and Welcome.


TexasTaz38

Big David

When I got my current XJ it had 10 inches of lift in the rear & a one inch longer than stock driveshaft.
Luckily the rear springs are so stiff if didn't flex much for my poser shots.