XJ lift and suspension mods

[azjeepcjman]

OK, let me preface this by saying I've always owned CJs so I'm not as familiar with what is available and what works on the XJs. I recently bought a 90 XJ for the wife. We want to put about a 3" lift on it but most of it's use will still be for her back and forth to and from work so we don't want it to beat us to death on the road or be a bear to drive. We do take it out at least 2 weekends a month though, but not on anything too extreme. I am currently looking for another XJ for myself that will get much more modified than hers. Would love to hear what has worked and hasn't worked for their suspensions, what to do, and what to avoid. I know everyone will probably have radically different ideas on what is 'best', but with the wealth of knowledge in our club I'm sure this is the best starting point for me on deciding what to do with both XJs.

[Kyle Zempich]

Well, My sons 92 has a 3 inch ProComp on it and we are moving to a 6 inch full traction long arm since he wants to do more than just drive it to school. He is actually wanting to race in July at the LV 1000, but dad has more sense......

Anyway, we could sell you his lift for cheap but I would recommend not using blocks in the back and getting a full custom leaf packs from a sping company. They say that they are not that expensive, actually they are quite reasonable.

Looking to offset the expense of the new supsension so lets talk.

Gary

[AZDesertXJ]

Based on your goals, I'd go with the following:

RE 3.5 Superflex with full spring packs and extended front brake lines
JKS discos
31"x10.5" tires
SYE and driveshaft
4.10 gears (auto)

I did all of the above and was happy with the balance of on road drivability and off road capability.

[desertdawg]

I also put a Rubicon Express 3.5" Superflex in my son's 92 Xj with the JKS disco's and 31" tires. There is no vibration so I didn't do an SYE. I couldn't be happier with the lift. One word of advice, get the adjustable track bar. It's a PITA to drill a new hole and repostion the stock one.

Here's some before and after pics
http://www.azvjc.org/pics/6659_0531321170.jpg
http://www.azvjc.org/pics/6659_0534205232.jpg

[rockwerks]

What they said RE 3.5 and never look back.

[cw50must]

Agreed, and if you want the wife to have a smoother ride, get the kit with leafs not the AAL.

[azjeepcjman]

Sounds like the RE kit is the way to go for the wifes..... OK, now for the one I hope to be buying for myself in the next couple weeks....... What are the really trick setups to go 6+ inches? I already have new blades ready for the sawzall :D :D Any particular lift brands stand out above the rest and what else needs changing/modifying beyond springs, hoses and arms????

[Kyle Zempich]

Hey Desert Dog, did you just remove the stock fender flares or is there some added flare in the pics?

[azjeepcjman]

Per the majority opinion I've been looking on the Rubicon Express website and I do like what I see. It seems pretty straight forward and easy to install. Do we get a good deal from any of our local shops on Rubicon Express parts? I usually did all of my shopping for lifts and parts at 4 wheelers supply, but it has been a few years. We have so many new vendors now, and I see a lot of them are involved with the club. Any ideas on the best deals locally?

[desertdawg]

Lil's auto repair in Mesa is a Rubicon Express dealer and the owner is a AZVJ member. He will probably give you a club discount.

Kyl,

We just removed the stock fender flares.

[XJ Un-Limited]

Have you looked at Rock Krawler, Rusty's, Rough Country, Tomken or Full Traction yet? Each one has it's strength and weakness. I'll be getting the Rock Krawler set up myself here in the near future. Granted everyone says RE, but there's other options available out there, and most shops will install any of those brands. Depends on your budget, needs, wants and perhaps mechanical ability. I just prefer the Rock Krawler setup and have seen it in action to convince me it's what I need and want. Either way, you'll end up having fun getting out there and wheelin :D Just remember, if you going to go hardcore on your personal rig, do your research and strengthen any part with in your ability. Your rig is only as strong as the weakest point.

[AZXJ]

6+ Rockkrawler -- See Flexy Joe at Absolute Offroad-- no questions asked the best setup for crawling!!!

for the wife, RE 3.5 with an adjustable track bar.. you will eventually go higher..

There are several RE dealers on the board.. I'd go through Joe for both kits myself..

Later
DaveO

[Mike H.]

I'm very happy with my OME lift and 3/4" spacers/blocks.
Road manners are very nice, great ride.
Off road abilities are surprising... with open diff's and 30" a/t's it's enough rig to get thru fr42, crown king, table mesa, box, bulldog, coke ovens and almost to the old mine at martinez.
It's a nice spring/shock package, plenty capable for moderate trails.

[Offroader5]

Sounds like the RE kit is the way to go for the wifes..... OK, now for the one I hope to be buying for myself in the next couple weeks....... What are the really trick setups to go 6+ inches? I already have new blades ready for the sawzall :D :D Any particular lift brands stand out above the rest and what else needs changing/modifying beyond springs, hoses and arms????

I would be another to say the Rubicon kit is the way to go...maybe for even both rigs. RE makes a 5 1/2" HD long arm, but I have heard mixed opinions on the control arms, the captures for the arms, and the crossmember. One definite is to stay away from Skyjacker or SkyJUNKER as some of the Jeep community has donned them...way too expensive, and certain parts wear out quick.

For yours, what size tires do you want to run...how much sheetmetal are you willing to trim....what kind of trails will it see? If I were to do mine over again to get 6"+ of lift, I would go with the Full Traction long arm. I am at the point though where I'd do a frankenstein lift. I'd go with the Full Traction up front and the Clayton rear coil conversion. But that's me.... :)

[azjeepcjman]

Well, I found and bought another XJ so all I have to do is figure out how to pay for the 2 lifts now. Mine is a 97 and on that one I still plan on using it as my daily driver, BUT I am willing to sacrifice some of the road pleasantries to gain in the off road department. I've got 30s on it now without any lift, but I would like to go to 33s when I can afford to regear it. I would still like to go with 5 or 6+ inches of lift. I'll just have to let it look goofy with the 30s and the high lift until the regearing. I would rather have the correct gearing instead of the looks. I don't mind carving a lot of sheetmetal. I'll just find a way to finish it so that it looks decent. I like the Martinez Canyon trail and other similar ones.

[Offroader5]

Well, I found and bought another XJ so all I have to do is figure out how to pay for the 2 lifts now. Mine is a 97 and on that one I still plan on using it as my daily driver, BUT I am willing to sacrifice some of the road pleasantries to gain in the off road department. I've got 30s on it now without any lift, but I would like to go to 33s when I can afford to regear it. I would still like to go with 5 or 6+ inches of lift. I'll just have to let it look goofy with the 30s and the high lift until the regearing. I would rather have the correct gearing instead of the looks. I don't mind carving a lot of sheetmetal. I'll just find a way to finish it so that it looks decent. I like the Martinez Canyon trail and other similar ones.

If your only planning on 33's MAX, I wouldn't go over 5". I have an 8" lift on mine that has settled to about 7" and I run 35's with 4" BS on 8" wheels ans I only trimmed about 1 1/2" off the perimeter of the wheel well openings. They don't rub anywhere now, and I can fully stuff the tires. The key would be to run as low as you can in the lift department, and trim the sheetmetal as needed to clear the 33's. You could probably get away with 4" to run 33's with a bit more trimming.

Here's how mine sits with that setup. It sits a bit lower now since I have the front bumper and winch on there.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v126/offroader5/Upper%20Woodpecker-July%2004/th_136-3686x_IMG.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/offroader5/Upper%20Woodpecker-July%2004/136-3686x_IMG.jpg) <---Click to go bigger

[azjeepcjman]

I had considered going to 35s but I wasn't sure how well they would fit. I may have to reconsider. How does it do on the highway/street?

[Offroader5]

I have not regeared yet, cause I am buying full width axles and I won't waste my money on the stock one's. It came with 3.55's and when I drove it then I couldn't even use overdrive (auto). I'd drive it around in 3rd. I had another XJ in the backyard that I stole the axles out of. That one had the 2.5 4 banger in it, so the axles under it had 4.10's. I swapped those in and it is much better. I can use overdrive now, but it still needs to be lower to handle mountain grades and when I am loaded down with say camping gear and 2 other people. The perfect gear IMO for the auto/4 liter/35's/daily driver would be 4.56's. If your in the mountains ALOT or are going to use it primarily for slower off-road maneuvers, then 4.88's.

My plan when the axles are built, are to run 38's with 5.13's or 5.38's depending on how much I will drive it to work when it's that far along.

[nate]

I have your answer for your wife....LOL....these are some before and afters of mine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/natejanis/Jeep/Jeeppics003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/natejanis/Jeep/Jeeppics053.jpg

DO IT...all you need is a 3"lift, discos, 33's, saw, and the krylon camo system spray paint. She will love it. LMAO....
this is what you call a budget!

[AZXJ]

azjeepcjman, Email me... Pm's are down right now..

Dave@Simplyoffroad.com or ArizonaXJ@hotmail.com

Take care
DaveO