Hello I'm a new owner of a Cherokee Sport 2000 XJ and I grew up around Jeeps. At the moment, in our driveway, my dad has his new 2011 (I think) Wrangler and my mom has a 2013 Grand Cherokee, and I have my 2000 Cherokee. I've done a bit of off-roading in those cars and I want to start my build. I've been saving money and I need advice! I want to do a 3"-4.5" lift for my Cherokee. I want something durable, and it won't sag. I need new shocks and new coil springs/leaf springs. I don't know where to start but I am looking for the most durable lift for price range I have. I don't want to go over $400-500 because I need to pay for installation fees too. Any recommendations from lift owners?

 

Is 400-500 including shop fee's? Best thing you can do is possibly a jy lift or look for a used one in your area.

 

No it does not include the shop fees. $400 for the lift itself.

 

With that budget id probably do a quality 2" lift. New front coils and rear leafs. Mske some home made disconnects for your front sway bar. Once you get above the 3" mark alot of things begin to change. You could get drive line vibs which require a sye kit. New lca's and ext brake lines. Cost goes up

 

buy some new coils, build a jy bastard pack, and spend the rest on shocks.

 

Here's the thing, quality monotube shocks for a 3" lift will eat about 75% of your budget. The stock shock absorbers will limit your droop angle to only slightly more than your sprung height. In other words, the way it looks in the driveway is about what you'll get, when you try to flex, the standard shocks will prevent the axle from articulating on the new springs. I'm afraid you'll need to increase your budget or start wrenching yourself so you can invest those shop fees into quality parts and a post lift alignment. Here's what I did and how much it cost:

(2) V8 ZJ front springs: $30/pair from junkyard (1" lift)
(2) ProComp 1.75" urethane coil spacers: $44/pair
(2) ProComp 2.00" leaf packs: $210/pair (yielded ~3" of lift, not 2")
(4) Extended U-bolts for rear axle: $40
(2) Sway bar extenders: $10
(4) Bilstein 5100 shocks (9.6" travel): $312

That's $646 using a combination of new and used parts.

If you replace the Bilsteins with ProComp ES3000 (10" travel part#: 324515) shocks you'll save $144 which would put you at $502 but there is a vast difference in performance and quality between the Bilsteins and ProComps. That said, the ProComps will work fine and could be replaced (by you, easy job) at any time for something better when finances allow.

 

It's not really feasible to lift 3 (not to mention 4.5) inches for under a grand unless you do a JY build as stated above. There are a zillion threads on here, jeepforum, and naxja all about lifts, companies, tricks, tips, prices etc. Do your research for a couple weeks, find a good quality kit (BDS, Rubicon Express, Old Man Emu) while saving up and get a good quality kit so you don't have regrets. (Highly consider doing it yourself, it will save you a ton of money).

 

I would check out zone. They have a 4.5 lift for just under 800 shipped. Slightly over budget but extremely we'll built and I agree with install yourself. These lifts really aren't that hard to install.

 

I also agree, install it yourself. If you don't have many tools or an adequate jack and stands they'll cost you a fraction of the cost of labor, and you can spend the rest on quality parts. it'll help you become familiar with your jeep too. lift could be done by yourself in one weekend with the help of the forum. Also, check out the neighborhood section of the forums. Most guys are willing to help out in exchange for a meal and some brews

 

This is the lift I'm looking to order today.

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...egory_Code=PFX

 

please don't put an add a leaf on your jeep

 

What's so bad about them? My jeep is just my weekend island beater.

 

They are known to sag quickly and usually won't give as good a ride as stock of replacement leaf packs will...

 

I don't see anything about a trackbar or control arms. INCREDIBLY crucial parts. I agree with not getting add-a-leafs, especially if the suspension is stock they're going to have years of wear. Save money and do it right.

 

I have to agree if 400-500 is max budget you have to install it yourself, and expect to dig deeper in your pockets when you install it and find you need other parts. Zone has a 3" lift that includes new coils, leafs and shocks for $510. Thats a good place to start. Depending on your Jeep you may need a t-case drop, at the very least a track bar relocation bracket or new track bar.