I agree, there's going to be somebody willing to throw down some coin on these things...just gonna be a while I think

 

Interesting, I never knew that! I can't understand why... just no market for it?



From the comments section on Jalopnik. Stay away from it unless you want to get mad... it's so dumb.

 

Aww, that's too bad, no lift available.

 

The folks buying them weren't interested in lifting them. They were just happy to have a capable and comfortable 4 wheel drive in one package. The XJ broke new ground in it's day.

 

From what i understand a company actually tried to make a lift kit. Why would they go to all that effort for nothing. If you want a comfortable ride buy a patriot, least you can lift it, if so desired.

 

Gotta think big.
If your going to spend labour dollars, then make the lift worthwhile.
2", 3" Bah, Humbug.
Tell me compentant mechanical with full equipment facilities can get something worthwhile done in about 10 hours. (10 x 100=$1000) If your going to require the dollar rate you should have the equipment to back up your worth. So put another $1500 plus, plus, in parts. Looks like new lower control arms, a subframe lift, extended CV's, longer struts or extended mounts.
Anything can be done. (Just add money for labour and parts) This vehicle will not be cheap so make the lift worthwhile. The market will be limited. Hence again, this will not be cheap. Then you add tires, beadlocks, etc. Resized wheel well trim? Looks to me like a $10,000 budget is called for.
So lets make it 8-10" for $10 - $14K ++and can take up to a 40" tire (with a re-gear). If we are lifting to provide for bigger tires; how will the final drive gear be changed?
Is it practical? Definitely a top end market.
Or else keep this one for the mall and pour that budget into a really super XJ.

 

This is a ROUGH idea of what a lifted KL will look like.

 

Reconstruction of fender wells and bigger tires .

 

OK the Aztec was a bad example cause it's ugly, KL's most resemble Kia Sportage's so this is roughly what a lifted KL would look like.

 

Then it should fit the kl then right? Lmao sorry had to make a funny

 

My God, I think I just threw up in my mouth LOL.

 

That KIA looks better with the rally car look and does start to move away from the grocery getter image. I could begin to like a Trailhawk set up that way...

 

10 hours of fab time can go by fast though, esp. If all the brackets need to be cut and relocated and the engine needs to have new mounts fabricated. For a full XJ suspension lift, like the Rubicon Express lift, our shop charges 6-8 hrs, depending on how rusted out the Jeep is. That time is to install a kit that requires no fabrication. Also, I'd say that 1500 for parts is a low low estimate if all the parts need to be sourced individually from small companies that fab to order and not mass produce, or if parts need to be made you're putting more time into labor.

 

Oh look! All these new and original pictures! /sarcasm

So one company said it's not worth their time to lift the KL. Interesting and disheartening but hardly conclusive as to the KL's fate. Give it time and someone will probably create a decent lift for the things.

The Jalopnik article kind of falls short (as they usually do...) on some important details. How tall is Rocky Road trying to go? The control arm thing for alignment gets me. I know the XJ's solid axle and KL's IFS setup are not the same, but XJs are lifted and people live with a difference in alignment. What is the real effect on the KL with leaving the LCAs in place? Is the camber that off at 2"?

Still true lol. I was talking to a gent who was lifting Jeeps out east early on in the XJ's life, one of the early methods was to stack the rubber isolators on the front springs.

 

"Feasible" is subjective. At this point they're right, but years down the road, you could see demand to bring that to market.

Personally I'd be in a JK long before I farted around trying to lift a KL.