LOTS of questions... future setup
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 690
Likes: 2
From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
LOTS of questions... future setup
Hey everyone. So I'm trying to figure out / pull the trigger on buying a 4.5 inch lift kit for my 01 XJ. I've been told to get a FULL LEAF kit for the rear, even though my XJ only has 95,000 miles on it. So, sticking with that, I should probably add that I want it to be a quality lift kit and to buy the right parts that will hold up for years. I'm going to college soon and I'm short on Jeep money as it is. So here are my options - any advice is welcome (like what I need to buy, watch out for this brand because..., anything:
Lift Kit - 4.5" - Full Rear Leaf Replacement
-Rough Country - $459.95
-Rusty's - $669.00
-Zone - $749.94
-NOTES: basic lift kit (no upgraded shocks, etc.), shipping not calculated
-QUESTIONS: Pros/Cons to each brand?
Tires - 32x11.50x15
-BFG A/T KOs
-Maybe some moderate mud terrains? Ideas welcome!
-NOTES: sees a lot of highway every day, need at least okay mileage, don't care about noise, when I go offroading, I usually screw around in mud or fields with friends
-QUESTIONS: I should go with 32s, right? Or would 31s allow more uptravel?
Wheels - 15x8
-Cragar 397 Soft 8
-Cragar 342 D Windows
-NOTES: need them in this price range
-QUESTIONS: so apparently 4.00" backspacing is the way to go? can anyone verify this, with this backspacing will I get really good flex/uptravel?
---
More general questions...
1. How much does it cost to get tires mounted on wheels, balanced, and tires aligned?
2. If I lift the Jeep successfully, should I immediately take it to a 4x4 shop for them to mount tires and align? Anything else they should do?
3. Should I buy a hack and tap SYE/driveshaft for $200, because I've only heard bad things about how Tcase drops screw you over in the long run?
4. Will I need longer brake lines for sure?
5. Will I have a long arm or short arm lift and what are the main differences between them?
---
I really appreciate the time and helpful advice - I really want to pull the trigger on this soon! Thanks!
Lift Kit - 4.5" - Full Rear Leaf Replacement
-Rough Country - $459.95
-Rusty's - $669.00
-Zone - $749.94
-NOTES: basic lift kit (no upgraded shocks, etc.), shipping not calculated
-QUESTIONS: Pros/Cons to each brand?
Tires - 32x11.50x15
-BFG A/T KOs
-Maybe some moderate mud terrains? Ideas welcome!
-NOTES: sees a lot of highway every day, need at least okay mileage, don't care about noise, when I go offroading, I usually screw around in mud or fields with friends
-QUESTIONS: I should go with 32s, right? Or would 31s allow more uptravel?
Wheels - 15x8
-Cragar 397 Soft 8
-Cragar 342 D Windows
-NOTES: need them in this price range
-QUESTIONS: so apparently 4.00" backspacing is the way to go? can anyone verify this, with this backspacing will I get really good flex/uptravel?
---
More general questions...
1. How much does it cost to get tires mounted on wheels, balanced, and tires aligned?
2. If I lift the Jeep successfully, should I immediately take it to a 4x4 shop for them to mount tires and align? Anything else they should do?
3. Should I buy a hack and tap SYE/driveshaft for $200, because I've only heard bad things about how Tcase drops screw you over in the long run?
4. Will I need longer brake lines for sure?
5. Will I have a long arm or short arm lift and what are the main differences between them?
---
I really appreciate the time and helpful advice - I really want to pull the trigger on this soon! Thanks!
Last edited by luckyAD80; Mar 6, 2012 at 08:50 PM.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church, VA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Subscribing to this thread! Man I'm in the same boat as you. Finding first lift and heading off to college. I was leaning more towards Rough country myself
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 690
Likes: 2
From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
It's definitely the cheapest option but I haven't heard much good stuff about it. Hopefully some really helpful people will chime in - it's a really large first post so most people will probably not bother reading it haha.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maine
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
This was a good way to start a thread shows that you've put the tine and research rather then.just asking questions I can speak on behalf of the rough country kit...other people may have different opinions which is what your looking for but personally my rough country kit rids amazing no noise, no slack, no BS! I went with the add a leaf kit to start realizing that my old leaf springs were very tired I went to Napa and bought doorman leaf springs and then jaded my leaf which saved me about 100 bucks rather then buying them pre built from rough country...as seen bellow
Hopefully I was of some help and good luck with the build
Hopefully I was of some help and good luck with the build
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 1
From: Warren, Pa
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Duratracs don't come in 32x11.50's. But man do I wish they did!!! They are an amazing tire and a 31 will be fine on a 4.5 inch lift. All of those lifts are short arm lifts and honestly if you don't wheel that much, long arms aren't worth the money. Spend the $$ on armor and lockers. A 4" backspacing will be fine for 31's and I'd go with a 15x7 rim so you can air down with less chance of blowing the tire off the bead
Last edited by BNJeepsta; Mar 6, 2012 at 08:24 PM.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maine
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Also I forgot you will def. Need brake lines which you can buy from rough country...and I would suggest if it is within your budget to have the wheels and tires on that you want before the alignment...I also had to change my trac bar to an adjustable one and did the steering stabilizer while.I was at it well worth the 40 bucks!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 690
Likes: 2
From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
Also I forgot you will def. Need brake lines which you can buy from rough country...and I would suggest if it is within your budget to have the wheels and tires on that you want before the alignment...I also had to change my trac bar to an adjustable one and did the steering stabilizer while.I was at it well worth the 40 bucks!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 690
Likes: 2
From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Originally Posted by luckyAD80
Hey everyone. So I'm trying to figure out / pull the trigger on buying a 4.5 inch lift kit for my 01 XJ. I've been told to get a FULL LEAF kit for the rear, even though my XJ only has 95,000 miles on it. So, sticking with that, I should probably add that I want it to be a quality lift kit and to buy the right parts that will hold up for years. I'm going to college soon and I'm short on Jeep money as it is. So here are my options - any advice is welcome (like what I need to buy, watch out for this brand because..., anything:
Lift Kit - 4.5" - Full Rear Leaf Replacement
-Rough Country - $459.95
-Rusty's - $669.00
-Zone - $749.94
-NOTES: basic lift kit (no upgraded shocks, etc.), shipping not calculated
-QUESTIONS: Pros/Cons to each brand?
Tires - 32x11.50x15
-Duratracs
-BFG A/T KOs
-Maybe some moderate mud terrains? Ideas welcome!
-NOTES: sees a lot of highway every day, need at least okay mileage, don't care about noise, when I go offroading, I usually screw around in mud or fields with friends
-QUESTIONS: I should go with 32s, right? Or would 31s allow more uptravel?
Wheels - 15x8
-Cragar 397 Soft 8
-Cragar 342 D Windows
-NOTES: need them in this price range
-QUESTIONS: so apparently 4.00" backspacing is the way to go? can anyone verify this, with this backspacing will I get really good flex/uptravel?
---
More general questions...
1. How much does it cost to get tires mounted on wheels, balanced, and tires aligned?
2. If I lift the Jeep successfully, should I immediately take it to a 4x4 shop for them to mount tires and align? Anything else they should do?
3. Should I buy a hack and tap SYE/driveshaft for $200, because I've only heard bad things about how Tcase drops screw you over in the long run?
4. Will I need longer brake lines for sure?
5. Will I have a long arm or short arm lift and what are the main differences between them?
---
I really appreciate the time and helpful advice - I really want to pull the trigger on this soon! Thanks!
Lift Kit - 4.5" - Full Rear Leaf Replacement
-Rough Country - $459.95
-Rusty's - $669.00
-Zone - $749.94
-NOTES: basic lift kit (no upgraded shocks, etc.), shipping not calculated
-QUESTIONS: Pros/Cons to each brand?
Tires - 32x11.50x15
-Duratracs
-BFG A/T KOs
-Maybe some moderate mud terrains? Ideas welcome!
-NOTES: sees a lot of highway every day, need at least okay mileage, don't care about noise, when I go offroading, I usually screw around in mud or fields with friends
-QUESTIONS: I should go with 32s, right? Or would 31s allow more uptravel?
Wheels - 15x8
-Cragar 397 Soft 8
-Cragar 342 D Windows
-NOTES: need them in this price range
-QUESTIONS: so apparently 4.00" backspacing is the way to go? can anyone verify this, with this backspacing will I get really good flex/uptravel?
---
More general questions...
1. How much does it cost to get tires mounted on wheels, balanced, and tires aligned?
2. If I lift the Jeep successfully, should I immediately take it to a 4x4 shop for them to mount tires and align? Anything else they should do?
3. Should I buy a hack and tap SYE/driveshaft for $200, because I've only heard bad things about how Tcase drops screw you over in the long run?
4. Will I need longer brake lines for sure?
5. Will I have a long arm or short arm lift and what are the main differences between them?
---
I really appreciate the time and helpful advice - I really want to pull the trigger on this soon! Thanks!
LIFTS:
Rough country has bad flex joint wear and go through them quicker than others (though ive never had experience with this when i had thier lift)
Rustys havent experienced it but ive read and seen pictures of there trackbar just breaking in half over i think it was 2 years? Which is disappointing and i guess theyre weak and rustys didnt aknowledge the problem
TIRES:
Dont know too much about brands but with a 4.5 lift 32s should be fine and is the reccommended tire size shouldnt rub
MOUNTING / BALANCING / ALIGNMENT:
Mounting and balance ranges from 10-15 a tire around my neck of the woods and i would highly reccommend an alignment after your lift no matter what and around here i believe ther 60 or 70$
LONG ARM / SHORT ARM
Im sure u can find threads to find info on them but all the lifts ur looking at is short arms. Long arms give more articulation and give a better highway ride but theyre alot more expensive. Also have more of a sway/ top heavy feel and easier to roll. Some argue its better for offroading but it all depends on what your doing.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maine
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Well for instense when I finished my lift and went to.put the trac bar back on it didn't line up at all no matter what I tried come to find out its what aligns the axle left to right andnallows the adjustment to be made so it doesn't look.like its cat walking.....this is a must it gives you and who ever does your alignment full control! The steering stabilizer allows the front end to remain tight I ran my lift without it at first only soon to realize it was worth the 40 bucks to have felt like stock again and more responsive....and RC offers a 4.5" lift plain and a 4.5" LA lift if you truley are going for the flex and use of the lift long arm is the cats ***** but a more affordable all around still have a good time with your buddies kinda deal I think overall you would be happy with standard 4.5" lift plus you can always upgrade to the LA simply by buying the parts that make it that down the road! I've been through college I know what is like on a tight budget :-)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 690
Likes: 2
From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
Here will be my .02 for what i know
LIFTS:
Rough country has bad flex joint wear and go through them quicker than others (though ive never had experience with this when i had thier lift)
Rustys havent experienced it but ive read and seen pictures of there trackbar just breaking in half over i think it was 2 years? Which is disappointing and i guess theyre weak and rustys didnt aknowledge the problem
TIRES:
Dont know too much about brands but with a 4.5 lift 32s should be fine and is the reccommended tire size shouldnt rub
MOUNTING / BALANCING / ALIGNMENT:
Mounting and balance ranges from 10-15 a tire around my neck of the woods and i would highly reccommend an alignment after your lift no matter what and around here i believe ther 60 or 70$
LONG ARM / SHORT ARM
Im sure u can find threads to find info on them but all the lifts ur looking at is short arms. Long arms give more articulation and give a better highway ride but theyre alot more expensive. Also have more of a sway/ top heavy feel and easier to roll. Some argue its better for offroading but it all depends on what your doing.
LIFTS:
Rough country has bad flex joint wear and go through them quicker than others (though ive never had experience with this when i had thier lift)
Rustys havent experienced it but ive read and seen pictures of there trackbar just breaking in half over i think it was 2 years? Which is disappointing and i guess theyre weak and rustys didnt aknowledge the problem
TIRES:
Dont know too much about brands but with a 4.5 lift 32s should be fine and is the reccommended tire size shouldnt rub
MOUNTING / BALANCING / ALIGNMENT:
Mounting and balance ranges from 10-15 a tire around my neck of the woods and i would highly reccommend an alignment after your lift no matter what and around here i believe ther 60 or 70$
LONG ARM / SHORT ARM
Im sure u can find threads to find info on them but all the lifts ur looking at is short arms. Long arms give more articulation and give a better highway ride but theyre alot more expensive. Also have more of a sway/ top heavy feel and easier to roll. Some argue its better for offroading but it all depends on what your doing.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 690
Likes: 2
From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
Well for instense when I finished my lift and went to.put the trac bar back on it didn't line up at all no matter what I tried come to find out its what aligns the axle left to right andnallows the adjustment to be made so it doesn't look.like its cat walking.....this is a must it gives you and who ever does your alignment full control! The steering stabilizer allows the front end to remain tight I ran my lift without it at first only soon to realize it was worth the 40 bucks to have felt like stock again and more responsive....and RC offers a 4.5" lift plain and a 4.5" LA lift if you truley are going for the flex and use of the lift long arm is the cats ***** but a more affordable all around still have a good time with your buddies kinda deal I think overall you would be happy with standard 4.5" lift plus you can always upgrade to the LA simply by buying the parts that make it that down the road! I've been through college I know what is like on a tight budget :-)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 690
Likes: 2
From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
Another random question, and this is proving really helpful so thanks a lot guys - Should I buy 3" in leafs and the other 1.5" in shackles? Will it hold up better over time? Also, just found out Rusty's shipping cost is $114... damn.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Originally Posted by luckyAD80
Another random question, and this is proving really helpful so thanks a lot guys - Should I buy 3" in leafs and the other 1.5" in shackles? Will it hold up better over time? Also, just found out Rusty's shipping cost is $114... damn.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 690
Likes: 2
From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl