Joshua White

Tell that to any of the balloon tired rigs in the arctic, it's all relative to your conditions ;-)

arto_wa

No problem, I was talking about optimum traction in snow.

Joshua White

I'm confused...

texastaz38

I am glad you have access to a work bay to work in. If you intend to replace any suspension components you will want to start now spraying down all the nuts and bolts that you will have to remove with PB Blaster, WD40, Kroll Oil or something comparable. Spray them every time you walk by the jeep, lol. 30 year old components don't just fall out from under our old XJ's.

Start the replacement process on your long off and maybe you will be done by the time you have to go back to work. Little free advice, try to move the bolts like you are tightening them first, every so slightly, then attempt to loosen them. Also, brush off all the crud possible before attempting to remove them.

Best Wishes and Happy Jeepin'
TexasTaz38

Red1992XJ

X2 Arto

I'd look into the upcountry option for suspension replacement. It will give you about 1-1.5 inches of lift while refreshing the suspension and would look great with a set of 235/75r15, or even maybe 30x9.5r15 tires. For shocks, springs, and u bolts, would probably run you like $500-$600 or so. Adding a truetrac for the rear (i think they make one) would really give you a solid machine for on and off road. Its got better road manners than a locker, and i think they go for around $500.

Joshua White

Everyone keeps mentioning the "upcountry option" how is that a refresh, aren't you needing to buy used parts at that point? It's not like some kit you can just go buy to the best of my knowledge.

You can get a complete lift kit at three inches or less for $700 or less depending on your needs, to me that sounds like the best option. Replacing old worn out components with new components.

00t444e

Check out Zone lifts, they offer a 3" lift that comes with new springs and shocks for around $600.

Red1992XJ

You are not actually buying used parts, you are buying new parts that match what would have been put on an upcountry equipped jeep. New moog cc782, crown hd leafs, etc. It works pretty well for those who are not looking for a 3 inch or higher lift. Granted, its roughly the same price either way. It will also not require more things down the line, such as a sye or transfer case drop kit. Also, as soon as you lift it, the next thing is larger wheels and tires, where the upcountry small lift can use stock wheels with 235's. Its a decent option for a vehicle that spends most of its time on pavement, but still wants a little higher stance.

downs

Going "upcountry" will still cost about the same but involves new parts not used parts, and that cost includes all new bushings, OEM type track bar, ect.

https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/...part-s-959680/

And it's not just for mostly street Jeeps either. I've done this for 2 Jeeps so far and it's still makes it a very capable vehicle. I spent a ton of time in the deserts and mountains of SOCAL when I was stationed out there and never had an issue going anywhere. Now if you want to run the hardest trails around with large boulders and what not maybe you need to look at a different lift but this one keeps all of your angles pretty much correct, looks great with a set of simple low cost 235 tires on it, rides pretty good, less to no issues with death wobble, ect.

I had two modded Jeeps prior to the two I did this to and dont see the need in the way i use my XJ to ever do the lift and large tires thing again.

Again for what the OP said he wants to use this Jeep for a stock height or Upcountry rebuild sounds like exactly what he needs.

Joshua White

I guess I don't see the point in sourcing all these components when you can buy a lift with even better/stronger components for the same money, and then you're ready to run larger tires if you feel the need.

downs

Because not everyone wants a lift but wants to replace the old clapped out components. Some don't want to mess with driveline issues, steering issues or doing a SYE, ect, ect, ect, I.E. the cascade of things that pop up or need to be done to do a lift properly in the long run, and drives the priceup higher over the "full" kits.

My bushings were all blown out, my factory leaf springs were arching in the wrong direction, the front coils were sagging, shocks were blown out. I wanted to rebuild the suspension with new parts without lifting much if at all. So I (and many others) have went the route of replacing with a factory configuration I.E. the UpCountry suspension option.

I question the assertion that many of these aftermarket lift kits are using "stronger/better" components than what came on the Jeep from the factory, maybe better for the angles and whatnot needed for different lift levels, with exception of maybe Old Man Emu stuff which offered a 1 inch lift system for a long time. Even if these individual parts are stronger you're putting extra strain on the rest of the components in the drive train, steering and suspension.

00t444e

For just a 3" lift you don't need to do anything with the driveline or steering. Just bolt on the springs and shocks, and your good to go.

Martlor13

what components in a 3 inch kit are better then the oem replacements?

Joshua White

Depending on the lift - new lower arms, better shocks, better rear springs, better shock mounts.

Either way, it doesn't matter which is "better" it matters what works for the situation. I would never invest in building out the factory upcountry package when I could get a lift that replaces all major components, or invest more money and completely upgrade the suspension design across the board, but that's me.

arto_wa

I don't think 3 inch lift in XJ will improve snow driving traction!

🤔