someone wants to trade there stock mj with 1k on top for my 4.5 inch lifted xj on 33's.. my question is how much am I looking at for a decent lift kit? and how big should I go to fit 33's-35's?


I also had an idea of swapping an 8.25 in to make it SOA then just buying coils for the front and new shocks all around. how much lift will SOA give me? and is it a good idea?

 

Depending the condition of your rear springs will depends in what type of coil lift you would need for your lift after SOA

 

Go big or go home ....Ive been searching some on this issue do the 8.8 rear upgrade.....

 

A SOA conversion will give an MJ a 5.25" lift minimum. Breakdown:



Dana 35 axle tube = 2-1/2"

2WD rear spring pack (3-leaf + overload) = 1-1/2"

Perch offset = 5/8" (x 2 = 1-1/4")

So a basic spring over using a Dana 35, and reusing the stock spring perches (or aftermarket replacements that aren't offset farther from the tube) will generate a lift of 2-1/2 + 1-1/2 + 1-1/4.= 5-1/4 inches. Using a D44 will be even higher because of the 2-3/4" axle tube dia.

 

If you were to do a soa in the rear, like comanche91 said you will get at leaset 5.25 however with my mj it has a soa on a 8.8 and with out lift shackles im sitting more at 6 inches in the rear. I would do your SOA and get some 5.5 inch coils. Of course you will need longer upper and lower control arms too. With 5.5 inches of lift you should be able to run 33s with out trimming. For 35s with out trimming you will need 7.5+ inches of lift.


With all that said..... Get the Mj. If its rust free and good shape grab it. they are getting harder to find. Xjs will survive decades longer than the mj will because of the production numbers.

 

^^^^ I agree there. mjs are hard to find right now, its only gonna get harder. you can pick an xj up any day of the week.

 

Make sure the MJ has a 4.0L. And, I personally do not want SOA. Hellcreek makes lift springs, Deaver might? Lift leafs + extended shackle. Get front springs to fit. The rear wheel wells are larger than XJ's so they can fit larger tires better. You could probably fit 33's in the rear with no lift. Bumpstops would be required.

If I could find a nice MJ, that runs/drives with a 4.0L I would totally trade my XJ for one.

 

I love my MJ's, they are a bit of a head turner. Just not the everyday lifted XJ ya know.

I don't find MJ's to be very Rare or hard to find like many people say. However, finding one with a solid Frame is the harder part.... I looked at over a dozen MJ's around MI in less than 3 weeks only to find that 2 of them had actual solid frame's. The rest had the typical frame rot.

I guess i'd leave it at if you feel its worth it then go for it. If its an 86 MJ, let it pass. They are a little bit difficult to do 4.0 swaps in and the drivetrain in them are worthless.