I'm pulling my hair out trying to decide what size lift to go with on my XJ.

Pretty sure its gonna be a Rubicon Express kit with full rear springs, just trying to decide on either a 3.5 or 4.5.


3.5 = $699
4.5 = $1015

I was really leaning towards the 3.5 mostly for economics, less chance of SYE and other issues

BUT

The 4.5 has everything the 3.5" kit does AND Front brake lines, Rear shackle, Adjustable track bar, Transfercase drop kit and adjustable upper control arms. A value of over $600 for the price of $300.

And there is nothing saying I won't need a new track bar or transfercase drop brackets if I go 3.5" anyways......Who knows maybe my control arms are shot and will have to replace those too!!!

Seems like the additonal $300 spent could easily pay for itself.

I have BFG mud terrrains 35x12.50x15 that are on another truck of mine, I'm parting this truck out to build another project and these tires won't work on my other project truck so I could very easily buy some steelies and throw these 35" on the XJ.

Guys on the web are saying these tires only measure 33.5" anyways, hopefully they will fit with just a flare removal and fold. Rockersliders to replace rusted rockers and cutting rear quarter due to rust so that will open up some wheel well room.

I'm regearing to 4.10's with an 8.8 LSD in the back, not perfect for 35' tires but its an RPM improvement over 28" and 3.07's (AX-15) it will get me rolling and after I burn them off I'll buy tires that are more suited for the jeep, Maybe 32"!!

Another reason I'm thinking 4.5 is I look at all the lift pictures on here and see rigs with 3-3.5" lifts and less than half of them appeal to me. WAY more of the 4.5" lifted XJ's appeal to me, even with 31.10.50 tires. The 35" tires look too big on some setups IMO but on some they look good.
Biggest thing is they are already here and paid for, don't have to spend any more money on tires.....Canada = Expensive tires....we get raped on tires up here.

Sorry for the novel....what do you think?

 

4.10 on 35's with an ax15 wont be all that bad. I would go with the 4.5 unless you plan on REALLY cutting in to the fenders to make those 35's fit. Plus you'll want all the adjustable control arms and the track bar anyways to make your front end adjustments.

 

go 4.5 and dont look back

 

i ran 4.5 and 33s for a while and its an awesome setup. you can piece a kit together way cheaper then a kit any day...i have tj coils up front and stacked spring isolators and aal with shackle relocation in rear with shackle and it flexes so good. i can get farther up the rti ramp then my buddy with rustys 8 inch longarm

 

i think ur gonna want a trac bar either way too. and if you go 4.5" you'll want adjustable uppers and fixed lowers. or a long arm kit. i did the short arm.

i was in the same boat as you, tryin to decide between 3 and 4.5"
i chose 4.5 and i'm glad i did. 3" just didn't look lifted enough for me.

my fenders are trimmed for 33's. so there is no doubt you will have to trim. good thing you are allready planning on doing so.

as for brake lines; i don't do any wheeling. all i did was bend my hardlines to get me through until i can get the extended lines. even then i got about 4" just by straightening out my hard lines. so for the street and mild offroading you should be good for now.

 

how about the iron rock offroad 5.5 critical path kit those 35's would be pretty nice fit 1349.00 and it comes with just about everything and you choices on shocks and even a sye kit with it

 

I'll look into it, free shipping on the RE kits is really appealing!

 

Last 2 xjs have had 4.5" lifts...perfect for dd/weekend warrior. My new jeep has 4.5-5.5 in its near future..

 

RE 5.5 extreme duty short arm with drop brackets or long arm.
or there is their 7.5 inch long arm.

either way, RE was my favourite full kit.

 

The vast majority of XJ owners that start small end up contracting inch-itis.

4.5"

 

Ok for both lifts you definitely will NEED the adjustable track bar. (I have the 3.5 re lift myself). I will say man the rubicon express lift is pretty solid, but it rides sooooooo harsh man. I would do the zone 4.5 if i were you. There made by BDS suspension. If u plan on running 33x12 or 35s, plan on some major trimming. Just my 2 cents lol

 

I ran 33s on a 4.5" Re lift with 0 trimming and didnt rub on the street. With bumpstops I could have gone offroad with it and not rubbed...

Zone over RE..Really?

 

Yea REALLY. Zone ride quality is superior to Rubicon express. Go drive some various lifted jeeps. Youll notice a big difference.

 

Never been in a zone lifted rig..but id say thats debatable..depending on other suspension attributes..and what shocks each kit was using..

Id still put my money on RE riding substantially better.

 

What shocks are you using?