I agree with you erkmed xj....I think it could go either way though I think with the shackle your adding another weak point not saying I know....more or less a thought I feel that adding the entire lift through the leafs makes it stronger and mine still flexs really well....

 

Have you ever considered Dick cepek tires? I've had a few sets now and I love those....just a thought

 

i found a used rustys 3 inch lift that had the full leaf packs, no add a leaf crap for 150$ on craigslist. i used that for a while then threw in 1 inch spacers in the front because the coils sat lower then the leafs. i also got used Ironman4x4 control arms and track bar. now i got some 4.5 inch RE coils off of seriousoffroad.com for like 66$, and im going to throw some shackles on the rear. check craigslist. lots of people are always getting rid of jeep stuff.

just search around some, you can lift it pretty easily. if you go to 4.5 inch you will need lower control arms, an adjustable track bar, new shocks for sure, longer sway bar links and most likley a slip yoke eliminator, some people run drops, but a tcase drop is a quick fix. and as for brake lines, running a 3 inch lift is close to needing longer ones, so you might be able to get away with just lowering the mounting points of the stock ones.

i ran the 3 inch lift with everything stock except the shocks and springs. once you go over 3 inches is pretty much when you have to start changing your control arms, track bar and driveline.

typically the long arm kits will bring the mounting points of the control arms to where the crossmember is instead of where they are now. im just now putting in a long arm kit and stepping up to 5.5 inches of lift. there are so many advantages/disadvantages of each kit. generally long arm is better for higher lifts. it rides better because the control arms are more parallel to the ground so it lets the springs do theyre job better, but like Erkmed xj said, theyre not for racing around corners.

good luck, and i would start out low, its always easy enough to go bigger if you want too. alot of peple go with a 3 inch kit then if they wanna go 4.5 just buy a budget boost for 100$ and throw the shackles and spacers on it.

 

Its not so much a weak point i believe if anything it makes it more difficult to be able to sag since theres not as much leaf arch if that makes sense the shackles only drop the bolt point like a drop kit for control arms that make it a better ride compared to stock. Not sure if the shackle changes the ride dont think it does but its definatly not a weak point in my eyes as long as its not rotted

 

If it's not that much of a difference I would rather keep my money haha. This lift/wheels/tire package is gunna kill my wallet.

 

That is a good point with that being said if you did the add a leaf lets say and then added the shackle down the road what would your total lift be height wise? Reason I ask is this could be a future thing for me to do but then what about the front?

 

Haha ya I agree Ive got a good chunk of change in mine

 

The add a leaf idk would probably sag bc its not as strong as the set leaf packs and the front was just an example of adding pretty much a drop bracket that i compared to the shackle

 

Anyone else want to second getting an adjustable trac bar and steering stabilizer? I heard mixed reviews in the past.

 

if youre interested in steering upgrades. a lot of people do the durango box swap. I'll be doing it myself in the future
cheap and simple. take a look
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/du...46/#post940874

 

Id second both

 

I agree with xj4life92.. Start small. If you only play around a little bit in some light terrains, you don't need to spend a lot of money on aftermarket track bars, driveshafts, sye's, etc.
Ive been getting all of my suspension parts through Rustys and have been satisfied. People complain about there adjustable control arms and adjustable track bars a lot, but none of that is needed for what you want to do with your jeep.
You could put on a 3" lift with full leaf packs and add a set of 1" or 1.75" coil spacers for the front. That would level you out pretty well.
Then, get on here and learn how to remove your fenders flares and cut your fenders. That will allow you to run 32" or 33" tires, depending on your preference. Heres a link to my build. I only have 3.75" lift in the front and 2" add a leaf in the rear.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/be...ht=beach+build
I've also cut the fenders to provide more room for my 31's.

 

I would definitely do this if I had more mechanic experience, but thanks!

 

The thing is I really want to have a full instructions set so I can do this myself, as I haven't ever messed with lifting a vehicle. How much was it if you don't mind? Also, your Jeep is sick, well done.

 

Thanks again.