redl2225

Hey all. I just joined the forum after having been a looker for quite a while. I have had multiple cherokees and wranglers and many other types of vehicles in my short life with a license. No matter what I get, I always end up with a jeep of some sort. It must be a sign.
Well anyways, I just bought a nice 2000 Cherokee. It has the 4 liter engine v6 engine... just kidding, I hate when people post their jeeps saying they are v6's.
Couple questions for everyone, and yes I have done some research but I would prefer to have all the info I need in one spot. So I am looking into a three inch lift, probably from Rough Country. I then plan on putting 31 inch tires on it. I believe I have stock 2000 cherokee rims on it now which would be 9.5 wide, correct? Would I have to go up to 10.5 for 31 inch tires? Do they make 31 inch tires that fit 9.5 inch rims? If they do, do they look stupid being tall an narrow? Would I need wheel spacers for either the 9.5 or 10.5 rims or both?
Would I need a SYE and or a t-case drop for the 3 inch lift on a 2000 cherokee? I won't be doing much hardcore off-roading in the rig other than to some of my elk hunting spots. Cannot afford to ruin this jeep seeing how I am a broke college student with way too many hobbies.
Last thing(for now), does anyone want to give me a quick lesson on backspacing? What amount of backspacing should I look for if i go the 31 inch 10.5 wide tires?
Future thanks to all the help! I plan on doing a build thread when I get the jeep a little further along!

PurpleToxin505

Welcome man, First im also a college kid, with a 99 on a 3" RC lift and 31x10.5x15s, So pretty much the same situation. The stock rims should be 7.5, and thatll be fine for 10.5's it actually act like a poor mans beadloack when aired down. You dont need a sye or tc drop, 3.75 Backspacing works well. If you run stock wheels youll rub you lower control arms at full lock, all you have to do it adjust the steering stop, which is just adding like to washer behind the bolt/stop. Put up some pics.

redl2225

Thanks for the quick reply! And way to make a Jeep while being on a college budget. How happy are you with the RC lift? Did you go the ad a leaf route or brand new packs? I would have never guessed that a 10.5 wide tire would fit on a smaller rim. That saves me at least 200 bucks on buying new rims since mine are in fine shape. I will post pics as soon as possible!

CanXJ

Welcome to the forum. I have 3.5 inch rubicon express lift, went with new springs instead of add a leaf. I have 31 inch tires mounted on the stock rims, have no rubbing at full lock. Regarding the SYE you won't know until you get your lift installed. I ended up with vibrations and finally installed a SYE.

unidentifiedbomb

Welcome and college students unite! I'm in my junior year now. I have an 88' on a rusty's full pack 3.5" lift and 31" duratracs. I run 1.25" spacers on my wheels and don't rub on anything. If I were you I'd get a transfer drop with the kit just because the newer Cherokees are more known to have lift vibes. As far as tire width you should be fine, there are people who run 35s on factory wheels. Let us know if you have any more questions about lift components. From what I've read overall RC 3" is a nice kit to start with.

94XjSport94

Welcome!

I'm a stupid college kid too. I've got a 94 with too much money into it on 35's.

PurpleToxin505

Im pretty happy with RC I got the add a leaf but my jeep wasn't sagging. There shocks jonda suck though. But I just have springs and shocks, everything else is stock, no vibes or wobbles. Oh and no sway bars.

EvstaG

Dang those 31" Duratracs look nice on the turbine wheels. The 235 Duratracs on my XJ look small with the 4" lift, lol.

PurpleToxin505

Yeah I love the way they look, im gonna paint my wheels and some suspension components green, like a joker theme

unidentifiedbomb

Thank you, I love my turbines. After I level out the front I should be around 4"s of lift overall

EvstaG

That was meant for unidentifiedbomb, but your's look good too Most Jeeps with Duratracs looks stellar, the tires perform even better than they look.

EvstaG

Your turbines are in a little better shape than mine though stupid Canadian winters. What are you going to use to level the lift, spacers?

unidentifiedbomb

Purple has plain 5 spoke wheels.
Thank you, I got 4 in good condition off Craigslist for a great deal and a buddy of mine sold me a fifth and better conditioned one and after a couple of hours cleaning and scrubbing they came out really well. As far as leveling out the front I have new factory isolators (rubber boots between the coils and springs) that I plan on putting under my original ones for a .25" lift so a tiny spacer pretty much. It should be 3.75" front 4" rear

EvstaG

That should be pretty much perfectly level then, considering it sits 1/2" higher in the front in stock form.

unidentifiedbomb

It'll be a .25" higher in the back but it won't be noticeable I'm sure and I'm not a fan of the whole front end high, makes me think of saggy leafs