pittman71

I've been searching through threads trying to figure out which coils to go with.

From what I have found, the Rubicon express 3.5" coils give some up to 4.5". Those of you who have Rubicon Express 3.5 coils....how much lift did you actually get from them?

I also saw somewhere that Rustys 3" coils give a true 3".

I am trying to avoid the snowball effect of parts (driveshaft, slip yoke eliminator, TC drop, etc) and $$ that go along with lifts above 3.5 inches.

What is your experience with this? Any suggestions?

JerrytheJeep

Aiming for 3.5" and hoping to not have driveline issues is not going to work. If you're going to be lifting your jeep above 2" you need to address the driveline. People will chime in saying "im at 3 inches and im fine" which is great, good for them. But trust me, if you plan around not having driveline issues, and end up having driveline issues, you wont be happy. A hack n tap sye and driveshaft shouldn't cost you more than 150$ and a couple of hours worth of work.

That being said, Id go with the rusty's coils and stack another rubber isolator on top for 3.5" total.

98cherokee531

He's right. Actually jeep Cherokees in general usually have a snowball effect no matter what two ways you look at it.

unidentifiedbomb

Your best bet for a close to 3.5" coil would be to get new rusty's 3" coils then either put a 1/2" spacer or stack the factory isolators. But lift it first then see how your jeep handles the lift. Don't go buying parts you *may* need as that can end in a waste of money.

JerrytheJeep

To iterate what bomb said, and clarify what I meant: be prepared to have to get an sye, you dont have to get it right away. Make sure it doesn't catch you by surprise when you dont have enough money for it.

JerrytheJeep

That snowball effect is usually from worn components that suddenly become noticeably worn when something is changed. For me it was after I did my lift: I realized my driveshaft u joints were horrible causing a driveline vibe. Then I noticed my transmission mount was shot, and you have to replace the motor mounts at the same time, found that the stock ones were broken anyway. All the new mounts raised my driveline about an inch and suddenly (but expexted) I had driveline vibes again.

GreenXJ98

I have the Rusty's 3 inch coils, and they are pretty much spot on 3 inches of lift. I do want to add a 3/4 inch coil spacer, but remove the worn out rubber isolator and that should give me exactly 3.5 inches in the front to match my 3.5 inch Rusty's leaf springs in the rear. I do have a hack and tap SYE and a ZJ driveshaft to help with the vibes. The ZJ driveshafts are longer and a little thicker, and you can usually find one at a junkyard.

Demonoid369

You know what a isolator does right? I'd be keeping it.

GreenXJ98

Yes I do, I just heard you could replace it with a spacer. I guess it would affect the ride because the isolator is rubber, so it would be softer. Maybe I'll just stack another isolator underneath it to keep the ride smooth.

GreenXJ98

Yeah, you're totally right. I understood what people were saying incorrectly. They were saying I could stack another isolator under the original, and have the spacer for added lift. facepalm.

JerrytheJeep

If the spacer fits tight over the bumpstop tube and is some sort of rubber you can do without the isolator.

pittman71

Thanks for all the great info guys! If I will need to do a hack and tap anyway, will I be safe at 4 inches of lift?

GreenXJ98

You'll totally be safe at 4 inches if you get a hack and tap SYE and either a CV driveshaft, or find one out of a ZJ that's longer and thicker than an XJ shaft. You shouldn't have any vibrations with that setup. Hey, some people have like 5-6 inches of lift with no SYE and they claim their rig doesn't have vibes, but I wouldn't try it.

89limited_hero

Im at 4.5 inches and no vibes but still doing a sye so in those spots out on the trail where the slip yoke could/might come out and trans fluid comes pissing out. I just dont want to deal with it.

pittman71

Those of you who have Rubicon Express 3.5 coils....how much lift did you actually get from them???