4x4Missy

Hey guys, just got a 96 cherokee country. All stock. I want to lift it but don't want to alter too much. Was thinking a 4.5''. I'd like to hear your suggestions or what you've done that worked well. Thanks.

jmm0122

How much do you want to spend? Will you wheel or mall crawl? If you go with 4.5 you will need to upgrade a few more things.

Gatchmo5710

i have a 96 country as well. I have the 4.5 inch lift and it does great. wish i would have done long arm though.

you will need trac bar. control arms. longer brake lines. t case drop or sye.

black_771

3 to 3.5 is usually the accepted standard for as high as you can go without getting into a lot of mods.

Chex_Mex

if you want 4.5 you will need to alter quite a bit to keep a good ride and trouble free drivetrain / suspension.

X2 on putting in a 3.5" lift

3.5" lift:
-new lower arms, upper arms if you want
-new springs in the front and rear
-new shocks and brake lines if you want to flex well
-redrill track bar hole on axle to get better alignment

4.5":
-everything above as a must
-sye or hack n tap and new driveshaft in the rear, or a T-Case drop
-drop pitman arm if you want to have same to stock steering mannerisms
-new trac bar
-new sway bar links or drop bracket

both will require an alignment after everyting is said and done

hope this helps, and have fun!

alloutperform

loaded question................. just remember you get what you pay for.. a cheaper kit is normally less complete and has cheaper parts.

black_771

And it bears repeating, there are a lot of different combos out there but when its all said and done, most likely you'd end up with most of the parts listed above. You are always welcome to lift it and then see how it goes.

I'd really recommend whatever lift you go with, that you get a full leaf pack. With an AAL, you are on borrowed time. I've heard on some AAL lifts start sagging within 6 months.

My 3.5 is a Skyjacker lift with an AAL, static LCAs, drop trackbar bracket. I already have a full spring pack ready to go in when the weather warms up. With this lift and Procomp MX6 shocks, it rides beautifully!

Andrew16v

I wouldn't even consider anything but longarm now that I just upgraded from a 6.5" short arm kit to longarms this week. The difference is just amazing. Even if you don't think you need the extremeness of longarm, the ride quality improvement is worth it alone. I daily drive mine and the short arms got unbearable. If you're looking in the 4.5" + area I'd say spend the money and get a longarm kit, you'll need a sye or hack and tap as mentioned above. If you don't have those funds, go budget boost untill you do.

xj101

^^^^^^^ x2 , im in the same boat

alloutperform

i love my longarms.....its homebuilt but so nice rides better then it did stock

bownut1

you really do get what you pay for . I recently just did what you are looking to do .I bought a 3.5 inch rubicon express super flex lift w/ leaf package. new control arms upper and lower tc drop . I got a total of 5 inchs from the ground to the bumper rear and 4 1/2 inchs in the front. went with the 3.5 inch because they said i would n't have to do anything but put it on no drive shaft change transfer drop etc.... well thats true isf you dont mind listening to the drive shaft wobble on decelerationbetween 30-45 mph . now I have a sye and new drive shaft on the way to be put in and I should be done. total cost for me

re superflex with new control arms $1400.00

tc drop $ 50.00

bfg tires km2 31 x 10.5 $ 899.99 installed

tera flex sye and drive shaft $ 599.00

labor $ 900.00

total = $ 3700.00 alot more than the $1400.00 in the catalogue


dont get me wrong I love the jeep and wanted everthing done right so it would last and ride great and it does no squeaks pops etc...

but once you get started it becomes a addiction and a money pit and what people say you might need you are going to more than likely need to do it right.

31x 10.5 will work with no trimming and ride good I am getting 19mpg with a k&n cold air induction and 703 neon injectors daily driver and a must or I would be broke with 12 mpg .

hope this helps 3.5 inch is perfect for me alittle much getting the 5inch lift i got but it is bad *** and wheels great alot of flex and no rubbing

sheepdog

if you just want a lift so you can do some offroad, and have a daily driver, i would suggest a 3"-3.5". i just did a 4", and it was easy. new lower control arms, new shocks, new 3" coil springs with 3/4 spacer, track bar links, rear 4" springs, rear shocks, and a T-case drop. thats it, it took about 5 hours to install, with me and my bro in law, and i have never done a lift prior to this one. just make sure you spray alot before you start with penetrating oil, it will save you broken bolts. did mine without a single broken bolt, other than one on the t case drop. not bad for a 93....

TheDale

Is there any point in doing Upper Control arms also? What's Advantage to them? I'm looking to get some Superflex LCA's, just not sure about the uppers.

ericfx1984

you can just redrill the track bar mount... may have to beef up the mount (on the axle) with a little scrap plate steel

the top control arms are perfect at 4.5"

ericfx1984

http://go.jeep-xj.info/

awesome collection of info, might save you some money...

it even shows you how to make a transfer case drop for about $10