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So I am really torn between getting a 3" lift or to just go for the 4.5". I love the look of XJs with 4.5" lifts and that is what I want just don't want to give up too much driving ability. And would all the sacrifices of putting on a 3" change going up to a 4.5"?
This is my Daily Driver and I want to know how it is driving around with 4.5" of lift on your DD. I'm more looking at how it will affect my MPGs, power, overall comfort of driving vs 3". Especially power, how would a 4.5" affect my power vs a 3" lift.
I put 31s because that is what size I will probably get, maybe 32s depending how it looks with my stock 30s. They would be just an A/T tires nothing crazy.
All my suspension is very worn. And I really like how with the 4.5" you get everything to replace your suspension.
At 4.5 inches of lift, you'll want 32's or 33's, 31's will look too small. If you're set on 31's, I'd go with a 3 inch lift. Make sure you get a lift that replaces your whole leaf packs, not an add a leaf if your suspension is already sagging. You might also want to get some lower control arms and an adjustable track bar with the lift, some kits come with them. Also at 4.5 inches of lift, you'll need a slip yoke eliminator and CV style driveshaft, which gets expensive.
At 4.5 inches of lift, you'll want 32's or 33's, 31's will look too small. If you're set on 31's, I'd go with a 3 inch lift. Make sure you get a lift that replaces your whole leaf packs, not an add a leaf if your suspension is already sagging. You might also want to get some lower control arms and an adjustable track bar with the lift, some kits come with them. Also at 4.5 inches of lift, you'll need a slip yoke eliminator and CV style driveshaft, which gets expensive.
I kinda like the look of having some more fender space. Kinda like this..
I really want a 4.5" lift, I love the look. Im just worried about how it will affect my driving. I know going that big will require the extra items but I want to know if I did it right with the sye. Will I still be able to drive on I-95 or is that just out of the question. And I would like to keep as much of my MPGs as possible.
The lift itself will not change your vehicle's performance much. Perhaps the aerodynamics.....so now youll have a larger box with wheels lol. The SYE is only a driveline adjustment that takes strain off parts of the drive train, it shouldnt impact the mpgs in any significant way. The tires will have a greater impact on those mpgs. Bigger heavier tire = more resistance on the engine = more fuel used to move the vehicle. I like the theory that, if you are on the fence about 3 or 4.5, GO BIGGER.
However, 4.5 lift requires a LOT more parts and money of you want to do things correctly. My buddy has an xj on 4.5 with cut fenders and 31s and those tires definately look small. However this guy pulls it off alright WITHOUT cut fenders. Everything depends on your budget, how much you want to put into your rig and what you plan to do with it.
4.5 on 31s
3 inches on 33s cut fenders.
Last edited by gunmetal_nightrider; 04-08-2015 at 06:00 PM.
OK so amount of lift wont affect speed as much as tires and gears will. Obviously if you have a 13" lift your gas mileage will be worse than if you had a 3" lift simply due to wind resistance (assuming tires were the same size)
If you do it right with a proper lift your XJ will handle much better than it does now on the freeway. I hop in stock ones at work that scare me.
Go 4.5 your going to wish you did any ways.
As for gas mileage any amount of lift is going to decrease your MPG's
Thank You gunmetal! That's what I wanted to hear. Are 31" considered big? Enough to kill MPGs or power.
Kills both on stock gears. On highway it goes in and out of overdrive too easily.
It helps a lot to have alloy wheels and a tire that is not heavy. Since you will be mostly on pavement, I suggest a 'P' tire over a flotation type (31" 33" etc). The lighter weight will improve performance and the lack of stiff sidewalls will improve ride.
265/75/15 = 31" flotation tire
I am at 4.5" with the P version of 31"s. The extra clearance comes in handy but I would have been better off with 3.5" lift.
Thank You gunmetal! That's what I wanted to hear. Are 31" considered big? Enough to kill MPGs or power.
Happy to help bud! If I've learned anything its that there's always a bigger tire. Even a 30 is huge compared to any honda civic lol. 31s are considered fairly mild in tire size. Widely used by us entry level guys or utilitarian guys. 31s shouldnt change too much of the mpgs or decrease power. 33s usually are where the stock gearing reaches its limits and begins to show noticable lack of power in certain areas of acceleration or torque. Steel bumpers, gear and roof rack will be the cause of the fuel consumption.
While this is not a cherokee it kinda shows how theres always much larger tires lol. I think the one on the end is like a 39 or something.
It helps a lot to have alloy wheels and a tire that is not heavy. Since you will be mostly on pavement, I suggest a 'P' tire over a flotation type (31" 33" etc). The lighter weight will improve performance and the lack of stiff sidewalls will improve ride.
265/75/15 = 31" flotation tire
I am at 4.5" with the P version of 31"s. The extra clearance comes in handy but I would have been better off with 3.5" lift.
That seems like a great idea for the highway driver. Nice tip Steve!
Do your suspension right and you'll love it. Quality parts, correct geometry, good tires etc. Type of tire will have a major impact on road manners. Im at 5.5/5 with Treadwright Guard Dogs in 31s and 75mph is about it on the highway and thats fine with me. The others have given solid advice. Sometimes wish I had gone bigger on tires but I just cant swing gears with a new engine on the horizon. Over 303k miles and still rolling along nicely though.
Just know that the extra wheel-well clearance does not mean more flex. A basic 3" lift and 31s will flex just as much as a 4.5" on 31s given the proper bumpstopping. I have gone offroading in OHV parks a handful of times and although the 31s did pretty good, I can tell they limit me in a couple places as well. I'm at 4"s and 31s look good but after putting on a 33" from a friend the 31s look tiny. I'm looking to go 35s once I am more set after school when I don't have to drive the 325 mile one-way trip 8x a year.
Last edited by unidentifiedbomb; 04-08-2015 at 07:16 PM.
It won't look that weird. Here is a pic of my lift which is the Rubicon Express 3.5" kit and 31's. Sits at 4.5 front and 5" rear. Man that's an old picture, back when she was pretty shiny and new(to me).
Here is mine with 4.5 lift and 255's. It has great road manners, it will do 80+ on the highway with no problems but the mpg was cut significantly with the larger tire. I don't think the tires look small!
Do your suspension right and you'll love it. Quality parts, correct geometry, good tires etc.
I plan I doing a 4.5" Rough Country lift. I know there is either hate or acceptance when it comes to this kit, but the price is really right and it comes with everything to replace all my worn suspension. The other kit I am maybe considering is a RE 3.5" and see how much it would be to get the other stuff I would need. Also I just read Rough Country has a 90 satisfaction guarantee, so if I really can't stand it ill buy a RE and return the Rough Country.
Kills both on stock gears. On highway it goes in and out of overdrive too easily.
It helps a lot to have alloy wheels and a tire that is not heavy. Since you will be mostly on pavement, I suggest a 'P' tire over a flotation type (31" 33" etc). The lighter weight will improve performance and the lack of stiff sidewalls will improve ride.
265/75/15 = 31" flotation tire.
Thanks great info on the tires. What gears would you recommend and are you running stock? What kinda MPGs are you getting if you don't mind me asking.
Here is mine with 4.5 lift and 255's. It has great road manners, it will do 80+ on the highway with no problems but the mpg was cut significantly with the larger tire. I don't think the tires look small!
That's what look im going for. Are they 255/75/17? Did you re-gear yours and also if you don't mind what kind of MPGs do you get?
04-08-2015, 02:41 PM
Living with a 4.5" Lift on 31s advice.
