Budget Boost install

[tnxj]

I will soon be installing a Rocky Road BB with the 1.5" shackle and .5" block rear. Also will be installing bar pin eliminators. Does anybody on here have any advice on this kit? What does everyone do about the exhaust clearence on the shackle (just cut it off, or dent it in, etc)? Also, do I need a spring compressor or anything (it is going on a stock '98)? Will 235's look okay on it until I get some 30's? What about fitting 31's? (its strictly an on-road jeep, I've got an 86 chevy with D60/14FF, lockers, and 37" boggers for the trail) Pics of other BB cherokees would be great, especially pics with 235's. Oh, I already read to soak everything thouroghly for a couple of days ahead of time. Thanks in advance.

[thooogy]

I had that kit on my '89. There were no issues at all with exhaust clearance. I used it with 225/75s (also an on-road Jeep) and I actually like the space in the wheelwells. I think 31s may be pushing it, esp. with a '98.

[jeepguy97]

2" Lift with 235s.
http://tinypic.com/fb6z5

And same lift with 31s.
http://tinypic.com/fb6mq

[XJ_ranger]

eaxust clearance shouldnt be a problem - you have an exause system right now, you have a shackle right now, therefor - no problem...

spring compressers arent needed and can be dangerous. I put on a RE 3.5" coil with a 1.5" spacer upfront and didnt need compressors, so you shouldnt have any problems. (i did have to jump on the axle)

BPE's are cool and easy, just make sure your lift came with the right shocks, or you'll be buying new bushins after you rip the bar pin out. check out yuccaman's BB install, that is a good write up.
http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/jeeplift.html

[Ivan]

On a '98, you will have minor clearnance issues with the extended shackle and your exhaust. The lower shackle bolt on your extended shackels will rattle against the exhaust pipe.

Just install the kit, then you'll see what you will be up against. It's no biggee to fix. I took mine to a muffler shop and for about $25, they rerouted the exhaust to clear the shackle.

Ivan

[woody431]

I just ordered my RE budget boost, its going on a 95 so my wheelwells are a bit more open than yours, but I plan on running 31" BFG A/Ts and 15x8" AR outlaw II's with a 4" BS i believe. I'll probably need to trim a bit, but this will be strictly on road for the winter time and then getting a bit more lift in the spring. I'll post some pics after I get it installed, hopefully this week sometime.

[awspence]

[
http://www4.ncsu.edu/~awspence/october-ure22.jpg

.
http://www4.ncsu.edu/~awspence/october-ure12.jpg

This is on 30's but really not hardly any bigger then the 235s i have on
another set of wheels i DD, I think 235s are just fine, but 30s are ideal if you dotn wanna cut,
with swaybars off, i rub on the front coil buckets when really flexed out as in the picture, but this setup has worked perfectly for me, would be even better if i had longer than stock shocks....

[awspence]

http://www4.ncsu.edu/~awspence/october-ure72.jpg
heres what 31s look like, virtually no rubbing with flares removed, but he had swaybars connected also

[noid]

I just put 29" tires on my 2001 XJ and am thinking about going with the 2" BB system to get some more wheel well clearance. Judging from what I have read here its a quality kit, no one seems to have had any problems. To reiterate the first persons post, are there any caveats or pitfalls I should be aware of before I decide to sit down some Saturday and bolt it together?

[jeepguy97]

Yea, you might as well plan on breaking off all four rear upper shock mount bolts. Hvaing a torch handy is good for removing the stock spring clamp and centering pin.

[Ramsey]

figure on taking twice as long as what you had originally thought.

[noid]

figure on taking twice as long as what you had originally thought.

Thats a given. :)

I work in engineering, I know how these things can spiral out of hand

[XJ_ranger]

i installed a mutt 4.5" lift and it took about 12 hours to put on

but then again - i had no trouble with breaking bar pin mounts nor any trouble with rear spring bolts being biaches that i read about all the time.
AND i had a full mechanic set of tools to work from - snap on and MAC, with all the right tools for the job...