Put a 3” Zone lift on 87 XJ, and new 31x10.5 x 15 wheels and tires. Now it wants to wander all over the road. Decided an alignment was in order, and since 4 Wheel Parts deals with a lot of lifted trucks, I would use them. Asked for an evaluation first, and they recommended longer lower control arms to fix the wandering problem, then an alignment. Said this was common to XJ’s, but I have not heard about that.
What do you guys think?

Thanks!!

 

Its probably a good idea but i have same lift and stock control arms and i do not have a wondering issue. Did you do anything with your track bar?

 

Check your trac bar, tie rod, and drag link. I had an 88 with stock arms on a 3 inch and I could cruise down the highway with no wandering.

 

you should plan on getting aftermarket LCAs at some point, but the length change over stock at 3" isn't very much, not enough to cause your wandering issues anyways.

Adjust your TOE first, even if it's in your driveway, to get it close. I use ~1/8" toe in.
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoAlignment.htm

 

I have 3" lift with new LCA's and mine drifts all over the place. I assumed that's what "It's a Jeep thing" was referencing.

 

no that's not normal lol. I can let go of my wheel at 75 and be fine for a while

 

"for a while"

 

nvrmnd

 

You need to check your caster angle yourself. I brought my lifted XJ to several alignment shops, NO ONE noticed the caster was way off, causing wandering
every time I hit a dip in the road. You have to double check these guys, don't assume they are right. Most say "lifted jeep", and give up before they start in my opinion. They think it HAS to ride bad, so why should they even try.

 

Didn't do anything with the track bar or other components, just checked to make sure everything was tight and not worn too much. Invited a friend who knows more to look as well, and he said everything it tight enough.

 

We were debating if we should get the alignment done first, and see if that fixes the wandering issue (have not aligned since lift).
If we do that, then decide to add the LCA's after, would it need to be aligned again?

 

oops, couldn't delete this post

 

PS, thanks for the link, now I know what we will be doing this weekend!!!

 

3 in lift and up REQUIRES an adjustable track bar. i dont care what anybody says. the factory bar is too short at that point. your driver side tire likley sticks out further than the passenger. the adjustable bar will help with proper front axle alignment. get the BDS adj. bar. its worked well for me

 

It does not require a adj track bar im running a stock bar on a 6 in lift an my alin is perfect and no driving problem at all