Lift install times?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 1
From: New Haven, IN
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I just bought a RoughCountry 6.5 X-series with control arm drops... I'm still new to the XJ things so I'm just curious About how long it may take once a buddy myself and a case of beer or 2 tear into this things.. I bought it already lifted i believe its sitting around 3.5" or so with 31s.. So it has been apart. HOpefully, that will make things a little easier.. Pics would be great too if your sitting around 6.5" just to get an idea of where I'll be.. Thanks guys!
Seasoned Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 279
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From: olive branch, ms
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
depends on tools, if you have a lift or not..... etc etc. 1st jeep i did took all day, first xj took 5hrs, current xj took about 3. gets easier every time
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,992
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From: West Bloomfield,MI
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L, CAI, Edelbrock Breather, Optima Yellowtop
Well since I'm only 16 and I did it myself in my mom's garage with nothing but some hand tools, borrowed coil compressors, a floor jack from walmart, my jeep's bottle jack, and some POOR lighting, it took me about a week to get fully back on the road. Reason being, I stripped a leaf centering bolt and it took me a week to search around for a parts store that had one. It was a nightmare of a lift to do and I only have a 3 inch lift. That being said, I will NEVER do any suspension work ever again in my mom's garage unless I get some money in tools and flourescent lighting first. Hahaha
I did a 4.5 lift on my 89 cherokee in a weekend. I was outside in a gravel driveway (don't recommend, hard to find nuts and bolts when you drop them). I did the work by myself and was in no hurry....took plenty of beer breaks
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,353
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From: Missoula, MT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Golen 4.6 Stroker, AFE Headers, 62mm TB, 24 LB Injectors, Brown Dog kit, HF Cat, 3" Exhaust
took me 12 months :P then again, i got halfway done, had to order some stuff, went to iraq and finished it on my leave afterwards
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 1
From: New Haven, IN
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Thanks for all of the info guys. Looks like I could spend anywhere from 3 hrs to a year lol. Who knowa where its going from there. Maybe 35s. Maybe 33s..
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 652
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Just did a rc 6.5 long arm last weekend. Check out my build thread for pics. Had 5 guys working on it an it took a solid 12hrs an we didn't get the sye or transfer case skid on still. Yours should go alil quicker being short arm but I definitely wouldn't plan on it. We had 4 sets of tools multiple jacks an impacts an it still took that long. Didn't have to fight any bolts thank god but there will always be stuff u forget an have to go get an something is always gonna snag u up. Been like that every single build I've done.
Check out my build thread. Feel free to pm me with questions an ill do my best to answer since some of it will apply to your kit as well
Check out my build thread. Feel free to pm me with questions an ill do my best to answer since some of it will apply to your kit as well
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
if its your first lift on a 4x4 plan on the weekend dont rush it or cut any corners any questions can be posted here people will be glad to share knowledge when its done a good job will show in the ride and your smile just remember when bringing you swollen head back in the window do it slowly so it dont bang to much on the window frame LOL
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
I just bought a RoughCountry 6.5 X-series with control arm drops... I'm still new to the XJ things so I'm just curious About how long it may take once a buddy myself and a case of beer or 2 tear into this things.. I bought it already lifted i believe its sitting around 3.5" or so with 31s.. So it has been apart. HOpefully, that will make things a little easier.. Pics would be great too if your sitting around 6.5" just to get an idea of where I'll be.. Thanks guys!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 652
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
Year: 98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/pr...ttitude-81229/
gotta finish up my SYE and cut my fenders then the 35s are going on.
gotta finish up my SYE and cut my fenders then the 35s are going on.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,750
Likes: 3
From: Visalia, Kalifornia, ussa
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Lift install will vary wildly. factors such as rust, worn parts, PO Modifications. tools and budget can dramatically affect the amount of time spent.
1st time I lifted a ZJ took 16 hours, for a 4" lift, took 4 hours to remove lift and return to stock config. Next time was a TJ lifted 2" BDY and 3" Suspension, 8 hours.
The XJ went from 5.5" when I bought it to 2" 4 hours after I got it home. DO NOT buy a prelifted XJ, Now at 3.5", 3 Hours more. So I guess thats 2 lifts Installs in a total of 7-8 hours. When I get some LAs I go back to the 5-6 range, goal is less than 3 hours.
1st time I lifted a ZJ took 16 hours, for a 4" lift, took 4 hours to remove lift and return to stock config. Next time was a TJ lifted 2" BDY and 3" Suspension, 8 hours.
The XJ went from 5.5" when I bought it to 2" 4 hours after I got it home. DO NOT buy a prelifted XJ, Now at 3.5", 3 Hours more. So I guess thats 2 lifts Installs in a total of 7-8 hours. When I get some LAs I go back to the 5-6 range, goal is less than 3 hours.


