Rc, zone, iro for 3” lift 99 xj
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Model: Cherokee(SJ)
Rc, zone, iro for 3” lift 99 xj
my current setup is a rough country 3” with an AAL and their 2.2 shocks. The rear is sagging due to the old worn out stock leafs with an AAL so I’m looking at either replacing the leafs or buying a new lift all together. I want to go 3” because it is a dd that only sees local seasonal roads with no hardcore wheeling. I would love to go higher but the cost of the necessary pieces adds up. And for my 242 and dye kit is pricey for sure. From what I’ve gathered stock hub to fender measurements are 17.5 front and 17 rear. I’m measuring 20.5 front and 19-19.5 rear currently. So here are my options:
1.) buy rough country 3” leaf springs and keep my current rough country coils since they are at 3” currently. Also will add a new set of shocks to replace the 2.2 series that are on there and probably worn out. I would either go rough country n2.0/3.0 or maybe splurge and buy a set of Bilstein 5100’s. The 2.0’s are about $160 a set, 3.0 is $200, billsteins are about $340. And rough country leafs are 149.95 each side.
2.) zone off-road full 3” kit with leaf packs and their shocks (either hydro or nitro depending on your opinions). Base price $510 plus ~$30 for nitro shocks. May be able to get a discount on this through a local zone dealer
3.) iron rock off-road 3” full kit with leaf packs and their shocks. $619.99
4.) Rusty’s 3” kit with leafs for $479 plus outrageous shipping which I think was like $130?
im looking for the best combination of ride and decent off-road performance, without braking the bank. I’m pretty sure no matter what I can get a better ride then I have now with my worn out AAL springs and my most likely worn out 2.2 shocks lol.
another option I found was I pieced together a re 3.5 lift with coils, leafs, tc drop, track bar, and Bilstein 5100’s for about $700 but being that high I’m afraid a tc drop wouldn’t do enough and I’d need a sye which just isn’t an option anytime soon. That seems like the best setup and I’d be ok with some vibration but there’s no way to tell how much there would be until I did it.
1.) buy rough country 3” leaf springs and keep my current rough country coils since they are at 3” currently. Also will add a new set of shocks to replace the 2.2 series that are on there and probably worn out. I would either go rough country n2.0/3.0 or maybe splurge and buy a set of Bilstein 5100’s. The 2.0’s are about $160 a set, 3.0 is $200, billsteins are about $340. And rough country leafs are 149.95 each side.
2.) zone off-road full 3” kit with leaf packs and their shocks (either hydro or nitro depending on your opinions). Base price $510 plus ~$30 for nitro shocks. May be able to get a discount on this through a local zone dealer
3.) iron rock off-road 3” full kit with leaf packs and their shocks. $619.99
4.) Rusty’s 3” kit with leafs for $479 plus outrageous shipping which I think was like $130?
im looking for the best combination of ride and decent off-road performance, without braking the bank. I’m pretty sure no matter what I can get a better ride then I have now with my worn out AAL springs and my most likely worn out 2.2 shocks lol.
another option I found was I pieced together a re 3.5 lift with coils, leafs, tc drop, track bar, and Bilstein 5100’s for about $700 but being that high I’m afraid a tc drop wouldn’t do enough and I’d need a sye which just isn’t an option anytime soon. That seems like the best setup and I’d be ok with some vibration but there’s no way to tell how much there would be until I did it.
Last edited by 99xjjunky; Mar 5, 2018 at 04:05 PM.
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Model: Cherokee
Buy two inch lift leafs with 1 inch shackles and no lift relocation brackets and call it a day. The company of choice is up to you and your budget . IRO is a good company , as is zone and imho RC is a totally different company than they once were but that’s just my opinion . Don’t fix what isn’t broke is my philosophy .
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Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Central Florida
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I just did a 3" lift to my XJ and helped a buddy do his as well using all Rough Country parts and had no issues with either. Lift is actually higher than advertised and all of the parts were high quality with no fitment issues. I second the opinion of just replacing the AAL with a full set of leafs.
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Model: Cherokee
The Zone 3" with full leafs and their hydro shocks is a great combination. (The nitro's are a tad on the stiff side, but would be a better choice for a dedicated wheeler.) If you go with RC, you will be replacing it again in few years.
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From: Central Florida
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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Shipping for Rusty’s is 140 for me just for their 3” kit. So that makes it over $600. Which if it’s quality isn’t an issue but it seems a lot of people like zone and their kit is $510 and a local dealer near me can probably get it cheaper for me. I’ve been tossing the idea around since I have a rough country lift currently. 3” with AAL. My coils don’t appear to be sagging in the front so I would just buy rough country rear springs lift leaf springs and then do Bilstein 5100’s.
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Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Shipping for Rusty’s is 140 for me just for their 3” kit. So that makes it over $600. Which if it’s quality isn’t an issue but it seems a lot of people like zone and their kit is $510 and a local dealer near me can probably get it cheaper for me. I’ve been tossing the idea around since I have a rough country lift currently. 3” with AAL. My coils don’t appear to be sagging in the front so I would just buy rough country rear springs lift leaf springs and then do Bilstein 5100’s.
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Model: Cherokee
FYI: I don't see that BDS makes a 3" full pack...just an AAL.
http://bds-suspension.com/product?ma...8&yr=1987-2001
....oh wait...nevermind. Found it: Part #004209 ($196/ea)
http://bds-suspension.com/product?ma...8&yr=1987-2001
....oh wait...nevermind. Found it: Part #004209 ($196/ea)
Last edited by SexyDexy; Mar 7, 2018 at 12:02 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 914
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From: north carolina
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
FYI: I don't see that BDS makes a 3" full pack...just an AAL.
http://bds-suspension.com/product?ma...8&yr=1987-2001
....oh wait...nevermind. Found it: Part #004209 ($196/ea)
http://bds-suspension.com/product?ma...8&yr=1987-2001
....oh wait...nevermind. Found it: Part #004209 ($196/ea)
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 612
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From: north east CT
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 914
Likes: 14
From: north carolina
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Since you had been inquiring about going from 3" to 4.5", here is another option:
Old man Emu leafs, CS033RA. The full leaf pack will give 4.5" of lift, if you remove one leaf it will give you 3.5". This would give you the option of going to 4.5" in the future.
Old man Emu leafs, CS033RA. The full leaf pack will give 4.5" of lift, if you remove one leaf it will give you 3.5". This would give you the option of going to 4.5" in the future.
Last edited by mikesignal; Mar 7, 2018 at 08:14 PM.