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Funny, I swear I suggested a BB on page one, even remember posting a link. Only difference was that BB uses shackles, so no need for U-bolts or rebuilding leaf packs. Plus you can keep the shackles for when you buy another kit and want to go higher instead of having a couple extra leafs laying around. There are always shocks here in the classifieds, right now there are new JKU Rubicon take-offs for $80 shipped. Probably won't need a TC drop for 1.75-2" lift. You can keep the LCAs stock too for that height.
Ok thanks. I will do shackles and then rebuild leafs later. And sorry if it looks like I disregarded what you said but I'm just trying to pull together as much info on what everyone did for a cheap lift because I've been getting different suggestions so now I'm going to try to pick the most practical method for me once I have a steady income.
Shame your not closer, I have everything to do a budget lift in my garage sitting, numerous Coil Spacers, extended shackles or blocks, JK Shocks (which work well with XJ and 3" lift), transfercase drop, about the only thing I don't have for you is extended brake lines or adjustable trac bar.
There are a lot of ways of cutting corners, like JK Shocks, YJ Brake Lines, Drilling and moving the trackbar instead of upgrading, using washers and longer bolts to drop transfercase instead of a SYE, Bastard Pack Spring Packs made from junkyard springs, Ford Front Coils, It all depends if you want to buy it and install it, or piece it together with trial and error, not all mods re-act the same way on all jeeps, I ran 33's (10.50 width - 12.50 rubbed all over) on my daughters Cherokee (shown below) with 3.5" lift, very little trimming it had the stock trackbar, no SYE, no upgraded brake lines but really needed a new rear line as it was tight on droop, and only had a slight vibration at take off and around 70mph.... at 80 it was fine.
We bought it with a blown motor and the lift was just installed before previous owner blew motor, through a 96 junkyard motor in it, sold the stock rim and tires and bought a used set of 33" Goodyear MTR, through them on some FREE Dodge Magnum Steel Rims, and drove the **** out of it and wheeled it some for 3 years before we sold it for a profit, used the money to put a down payment on a newer daily driver for her (gas mileage and warranty), and bought a trail rig (another Cherokee with a blown motor on 33's but rougher body) with the spare money for her to really beat on in the woods.
Your doing the right thing, ask a lot of questions, read many different replies, nobody knows it all or knows whats best for you..... just absorb it all and decide for yourself, Personally I take no offense if you take my advice or not, I just want you happy with your final decision when your done.
Honestly- Some 2" coil Spacers, and 2" Extended Shackles, and you can probably mount those 31's on and be fine..... do the rest as time/funds allow, So what if your shocks are the restriction on your drop, and so what if your tires rub a little on the control arms, you might have to straighten the front brake lines to be long enough, as long as you don't get real stupid with it, you will be fine driving around and easy trails.
PS: If I asked if I could run 33" Mud tires on 3.5" lift, most everyone would have said no way, you will have to cut things like crazy, You have to have an SYE, Adjustable Trackbar, Extended Brake Lines, none of which it had, but it sure was a fun jeep, I drove 2000 miles to Chicago and back to Florida with a Trailer at 80mph no problems, hauled numerous axles and motors in the back, towed other jeeps with it, Took it mudding a bunch of times but not too crazy.
ON STOCK TIRES/RIMS when we first got it running.
THIS WAS THE PICTURE THAT I SAID - "Time for a Trail Rig Girl"
Shame your not closer, I have everything to do a budget lift in my garage sitting, numerous Coil Spacers, extended shackles or blocks, JK Shocks (which work well with XJ and 3" lift), transfercase drop, about the only thing I don't have for you is extended brake lines or adjustable trac bar.
There are a lot of ways of cutting corners, like JK Shocks, YJ Brake Lines, Drilling and moving the trackbar instead of upgrading, using washers and longer bolts to drop transfercase instead of a SYE, Bastard Pack Spring Packs made from junkyard springs, Ford Front Coils, It all depends if you want to buy it and install it, or piece it together with trial and error, not all mods re-act the same way on all jeeps, I ran 33's (10.50 width - 12.50 rubbed all over) on my daughters Cherokee (shown below) with 3.5" lift, very little trimming it had the stock trackbar, no SYE, no upgraded brake lines but really needed a new rear line as it was tight on droop, and only had a slight vibration at take off and around 70mph.... at 80 it was fine.
We bought it with a blown motor and the lift was just installed before previous owner blew motor, through a 96 junkyard motor in it, sold the stock rim and tires and bought a used set of 33" Goodyear MTR, through them on some FREE Dodge Magnum Steel Rims, and drove the **** out of it and wheeled it some for 3 years before we sold it for a profit, used the money to put a down payment on a newer daily driver for her (gas mileage and warranty), and bought a trail rig (another Cherokee with a blown motor on 33's but rougher body) with the spare money for her to really beat on in the woods.
Your doing the right thing, ask a lot of questions, read many different replies, nobody knows it all or knows whats best for you..... just absorb it all and decide for yourself, Personally I take no offense if you take my advice or not, I just want you happy with your final decision when your done.
Honestly- Some 2" coil Spacers, and 2" Extended Shackles, and you can probably mount those 31's on and be fine..... do the rest as time/funds allow, So what if your shocks are the restriction on your drop, and so what if your tires rub a little on the control arms, you might have to straighten the front brake lines to be long enough, as long as you don't get real stupid with it, you will be fine driving around and easy trails.
PS: If I asked if I could run 33" Mud tires on 3.5" lift, most everyone would have said no way, you will have to cut things like crazy, You have to have an SYE, Adjustable Trackbar, Extended Brake Lines, none of which it had, but it sure was a fun jeep, I drove 2000 miles to Chicago and back to Florida with a Trailer at 80mph no problems, hauled numerous axles and motors in the back, towed other jeeps with it, Took it mudding a bunch of times but not too crazy.
ON STOCK TIRES/RIMS when we first got it running.
THIS WAS THE PICTURE THAT I SAID - "Time for a Trail Rig Girl"
HER NEW TRAIL RIG
Too bad! And that's awesome. Is it still ok to use extended shackles with leaf springs that are practically flat? And shocks are gone I'm pretty sure so why don't I just replace them with shocks that can extend a lot further than stock shocks?
Too bad! And that's awesome. Is it still ok to use extended shackles with leaf springs that are practically flat? And shocks are gone I'm pretty sure so why don't I just replace them with shocks that can extend a lot further than stock shocks?
Yes extended shackles will be hard on your weak springs, but it will be fine for a while until you can buy or assemble new springs. People do much worse and lets face it... its pretty difficult to snap a rear spring - just avoid big jumps and gnarly rock climbing. Also I would figure how to work out some Shackle Relocation Brackets (which add 3/4" - 1") when you go with new springs, they give you better flex and ride.
As far as shocks, its not hard to get an old set of JK shocks and use them. Ton of JK owners are lifting their jeeps and throwing them out or giving them away - here is a write-up https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/jk-...ock-xj-163438/
I have 31" tires. I bought that lift from Rough Country with the big 2.2 shocks. It rode terrible. So I built shackle re-locators, and added a 1" front spacer. This gave the shocks enuf up travel so they didn't bottom out on the bumpstops, and greatly improved the ride. But then I had driveline vibrations. which I chased and mucked around trying to get sorted out. SYE would've fixd this problem, but thats another $450 and more mucking around.
I'm done with all that. Back to OEM ride height w/ new replacement springs and aftermarket flares to give the tire clearance. Monroe OE Spectrum shocks. Much better ride and handling. No more driveline vibes. Jeep goes anywhere I wanna go.
My advice: trim your fenders for now, get some Monroe shocks off Amazon, and save your money for some aftermarket flares.
01-15-2016, 08:01 AM
