I picked up my first Jeep/4x4, it's a beater 1996 XJ Sport on 33's that the PO said had a 4.5" lift with Rancho shocks in the back, but wasn't sure what front shocks it had (installed by the PO to him).

I thought almost everything in the front suspension was aftermarket until I saw this image and now I am thinking most of it is stock.




Front left



Front center



Front right



Front left from behind the wheel



Front left under



Left rear



Left rear back



Right rear front of wheel



Right front behind wheel



Right spring



Right front



Drag link?



Next question...

How big of a lift do I have?

Headlight to ground



Top of home made fender



Lastly, I noticed this seal/boot was ripped during the photoshoot.




As always, thanks for looking and for any insight into what I have gotten myself into.

 

Its not stock. Lower control arms, springs, sway bar disconnects, its bump stopped, looks like it might have a SYE based on the rear axle position but need to see the driveshaft. Needs a nee double shear adjustable track bar and a steering upgrade. Beyond that its pretty complete looking. How does it drive and ride?

 

Front shaft



Driveshaft




It drives good I guess. It is my first lifted vehicle and I don't have much to compare it to. It drives straight, it does not have death wobble or any major vibrations. The few people that have ridden in it say it seems normal (noise/vibration wise). It is pretty stiff in in the dirt, but I realized it is probably my fault. I forgot to air down the tires and I did not release the sway bar disconnects. It has a few knocks/clunks here and there (one noticeable one I can feel in the driver side foot well) and creaks when in the dirt.

What does a steering upgrade run cost wise? Any recommendation on which Adjustable Double Shear Track Bar Kit to get?

Any idea on how high my lift is?

 

No SYE but thats ok if its driving decent for now. Lookup ZJ tie rod upgrade as for track bar Iron Rock Offroad is popular. I run it. For lift measure from top of the axle tube to frame. 6-6 3/4 is stock. One is front one is rear but it escapes me at the moment. The difference will be your lift.

 

Judging by most of the components honestly looks like either the 3" BDS kit or 4.5" but its lacking alot of the parts from the 4.5" if it was. My bets are on the 3" kit though.

 

What parts is it lacking for it to be a 4.5" lift?

 

Looking at it a second time, it does look alot like the BDS 3". The rear looks like a aal spring. Also I'm pretty sure BDS doesn't use red bushings on their control arms. You also still have the stock tracbar just relocated over more.

 

It's a BDS 4 1/2" kit. Could be Zone with the red bushings.

Does it have the transfer case drop? You'll either need that or a SYE. It's spacers between the crossmember and unibody.

The shackles are BDS or Zone along with the springs. Looks like a nice kit. Installed many.