So i am going to be build my XJ and i would like some opinions on what you have done and what has worked, what you would change and why.

Here is the plan.

4.5 inch lift with long arms on 31's for now and 33's down the road. I will be using a Clayton cross member and making the rest of the kit. Well i wont be but it will be made for me.

I will be running Dana 44 front and rear.

I will use this as an exploration rig, hunting, fishing, camping and things like that. I am not big into rocks but i will do them on occasion. I want it to ride smooth on the road but be capable off road.

 

Just installed my 4.5 short arm lift and honestly it rides alright but if I would have chosen long arms, it would probably be less bumpy. I'm either going to do drop brackets, which may be good for you, or save up for long arms. If you arnt playing in the rocks, drop brackets will make you ride wayy better for a smidge of the cost of long arms.

 

Sounds like a solid plan. Should be more than enough for what you want it to do. How well it rides will just depend on how well everything is built and the angles and seperation of the arms but I'm sure you have done, and will be doing research to get that all set up right.

Are you doing full width 44s or will they be narrow track? Only reason I ask is if you want to keep the factory width, I would stick with a 29 spline 8.25 rear end out of a 97(?) Or newer xj. They're basically the same strength but the 8.25 would be bolt in and is also VERY easy to convert to disc brakes.

 

If youre going to go through all the trouble of swapping axles you'd be selling yourself short going with a short arm.

 

x2

 

I owned a '98 short arm XJ on 32s & a '89 XJ LA on 35s at the same time & the '89 rides SO much better.
Long arms all the way.

 

They are 44's out of a tj so they will be the same length as the set that is in it now. I have an 8.25 in it now but I got a good deal on the 44's and they are already built how I would want to build what's in it now.

 

Through my research,
New short arms + control arm drop brackets isn't very much cheaper, if any, than long arms.
I'm adding CAD brackets to mine but I already have short arms so it isn't costing me much.

I say if starting new, go long arms.

 

cav fab 3 link, or b.lee

love the long arms

 

I have looked at both of those and they are very nice. I'm doing a custom set up though

 

Which dana 44s and what size tires you wanna run ?

 

i did custom built long arms off of the tnt flat cross member, turned out nice w/ a great ride. 5 " lift w/ 33's street/ 35" offroad.