Lift help/question
 

Hi everyone, for my birthday I got 200$ cash, and the first thing on my list to do is to buy a 3 inch lift. Is there any 3 inch lift I can buy for around that? No more than 240$ and if you know of any does it come with shocks?

Also, what do the shocks do? I've seen kits that don't come with shocks and it makes me feel that they aren't entirely needed, or you just buy the separate.

But thanks for all of your future answers and I hope some of you know of any cheap and reliable lifts!
Jacob

I think the zone 3 inch AAL is around that price, and it comes with shocks

I think you still can get a 3" lift from Fat Bob's Garage with shocks for around that. The front lift is spacers and the rear lift is Add A Leaf. You will want new extended length shocks for anything over 2" lift on an XJ.

Ok, 240 won't get you too far at all. Rough country (referred to as rc on here) is about the cheapest lift kit supplier. They are not "cheap" kits though, I have one on my jeep and am not disappointed at all. And with shocks: some kits don't include them because it let's you get the type you want but they are REQUIRED. Without them you would bounce around and wear out other suspension components much faster. And when you do buy one you might as well do a complete pack lift instead of aal (add a leaf). There is large debate on that on here but I suggest full packs and I have aal sooo.. for you I think you should just wait a bit longer and get a complete pack lift from rc, you can even get a discount for being a forum member if you order through the rc vender on here! I hope I was of assistance.

Thanks everyone for your answers! Buck, do you know of any other "smaller" companys who sell lifts like that? Instead of like RC or Skyjacker?

Just Fat Bob's Garage. His store is in Ogdon Utah but, he ships anywhere. When we got the 3" lift for my son's 87 XJ, I'm pretty sure we paid right around $100 for just the spacers and AAls. a set of decent shocks of any brand is going to run you $160-200 for a set of 4.

I would try a Google search of "3 inch lift Jeep Cherokee XJ". I have found Google is your friend if you have patience and shop around.

Ok here we go:
This is the kit that I have been running since 08 and am currently running 33" tires with it.
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...pn=R%2fERE6160
Use coupon code: CC5OFF and the price to your door should be $246.99
Allen of AOR whom is a vendor on here might be able to either match or beat that price so shoot him a PM. Great kit!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-...Q5fAccessories
I like this, you can build on it later. IE use a spacer up front and leaf springs in the rear to go higher. I would buy JK Wrangler take off shocks on eBay to complete this kit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-...Q5fAccessories
Gives you everything needed with shocks.

https://store.4wheelingplus.com/prod....asp?prod=670H
This is everything needed as well and would run you about $270 shipped after you contact Ron about the 10% forum discount.

Thank you so much afbond03!!

Any chance you can help me find "JK Wrangler take off shocks" I can not find them on ebay :(

Certainly can. I will just PM you some links though.

AFBOND is close when he says those kits are everything you need...
But in some case, even most, when you go above 3" you have to start to consider other things. Such as brake lines and T-case and possible DS and drop pitmans & so on...
Still, not bad pricing on those either, I would consider them. But still will have to look into the extras that go with that size lift.

But if your like me and like the feeling of accomplishment then you could just build your own.

Now, $200 may not go far with "bigger" companies, but if you dont mind some waiting & shopping around; Some frugality and some labor of love and a few hours (over the weekend project) then 200 will go plenty far...

You could always do your own lift.
for instance grab some JY Coils from a V8 ZJ(15ea x 2) and a 1"-2" spacer off line (30-50 for the pair - depending on size) Or even off CL for like $25.
ZJ Coils get you 1" - 1.5" up front.

For the rear grab a set of JY S10 or Dakota or Jeep Leafs and make a bastard pack. Approx $50 for set (pair) of leafs from the JY. Can stack your pack with the pack you get to give you as much lift or as little as you want.

And for shocks you can get some JY Wrangler shocks for about $50 or on CL for about the same. Or some OME or even RC for like $75-100.

Recap: JYCoils $30 - 2" spacer $40 - Bastard Pack $50 - Shocks $75
Total: $195
Now you need to not forget extra costs of new center pins and/or u-bolts and new brake lines and t-case drop etc...
or
Recap: JYCoils $30 - 2" spacer $40 - Shackles (RC) $60 - Shocks $75
Total: $205
Now you need to not forget extra costs of new brake lines and t-case drop etc...


I will give you a for instance on how this all works:
Now to start, I got fat bobs 2" BB kit with shocks (rough country 8000) shipped for about $150 about a year ago..
Over the last 3-4 months, I managed to snag 2 sets(4 total) of Jeep leafs for a total of $75 of CraigsList
and some ZJ coils for $40 off CL (came off a 2006 ZJ with 50,000 miles)

I already have 2" shackles and 2" spacers and shocks meant for 2"-4" from my previous lift that are all re-usable, so now i have what i need to make 3" - 3.5" up front and upto 6" in the back.
But im only going for about 3.5 front and back total for now.

So now Im going to be in this for about $115.
BUT if you include what I paid for my previous lift Im still in it for only $265
Which is pretty darn close to your 3" $240 limit.

Stock brake lines dont normally work for above 3", even when unbolting them from the side, so I did get some new brake lines off a YJ for $25 (new they are like $35) just to be on the safe side.
Those brake lines will are about 4"-6" longer

And a drop pitman off a JY ZJ for $10 - ZJ = 1" drop on XJ
1" T-Case drop (New) $30
So now Im at an additional $65. So, Ive now spent $305 for 2 lifts total or $180 for a 3” lift.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me and I will give you my number and we can talk more.

One more thing:
3" lift on 215/70R15? gonna look kinda silly
Or do you have a separate budget for tires?

Shoot the guy I got my parts Jeep from was rockin a 4.5" lift with stock tires! Talk about look silly!

OP here's my advice....save your money up a bit longer.

Trust me you'll be happier that you did. Add-a-leafs and block lifts suck, period. They ride horribly rough, and sag very fast. Not worth the money IMO. Save your money for a complete kit with full replacement leaf packs in the rear, and replacement coil springs in the front.

Good tires should be first on your list though - a lift won't help you get through tough situations if you're spinning your tires with no traction.