Researching 3in lift

I have a '91/4.0/aw4/np231/d30/8.25.

I'm starting to research lifts, and I've searched and searched the threads. I know some decent info now (SYEs, t-case drops, etc.), but I'm not quite sure what I would need. My dad and I will be doing the lift next summer so I have plenty of time to research. All I really want is to be able to fit 31x10.5s with some decent articulation. I figured that a 3 inch lift would work well and sit at the right stance so I started looking. After browsing around, I think I might go with Rustys 3inch lift...but what else would I need along with what comes with the system? Should I get the 1in t-case drop and crossmember or is it one of those "wouldnt hurt"? I know everyone has different experiences with lifts so I guess I'm mostly just taking a chance, but I want to research as much as possible.
Thanks,
Colin

P.S. Here's the system http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/...s&Product_Code=300SP&Category_Code=sus_xj_kit

if i were to go back i'd do things differently i am currently working on a custom leaf spring pack, and i think that is the way to go.. especially when you can get stock leaf packs relatively cheap

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100704&highlight=Project+jeep+week

http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com/home_brew_budget_boost.htm

look at these two pages and go from there!

MoparManiac said:

I have a '91/4.0/aw4/np231/d30/8.25.

Click to expand...

I am going to assume that your xj has some rust. Mine was a 97 from Michigan and I had to build my spring packs in place because of it. If you have a desert XJ with little rust consider yourself lucky. Nothing in Michigan that is driven during the winter months escapes without rusting.

With a target of 31x10.50 tires

Go with your choice of RE, Rusty's up front and S10 or Dakota springs in the rear. Leave your XJ main in place. The XJ uses captured nuts on the rear springs. Many times one of two things happen with this bolt/nut the bolt breaks or the nut breaks loose and spins. The only fix for this is to cut open the floorboards to access the backside of the nut. It is not hard but adds time to the lift install and is just extra work.

Leaving the XJ main in place allows you to build the leaves in place and not mess with the bolts.

Allow some money in the budget for SYE or TC drop kit. XJs are odd beasts.. Some need an SYE for as low as 3-4 inches others claim to be at 5+ with no vibes... I really think that the difference is more in the tolerance of the driver. Older XJs do seam to be more tolerant of lifting without vibes.... Again I think it is more the drivers of old XJs are more tolerant.

I personally love the RE 3.5-inch superflex AAL that I have. I ditched all of the XJ leafs but the Main and replaced them with Dakota leafs. If I had it to do over again I think I would have skipped the AAL completely and just went with the front components and the DakPack in the Back.

My current setup for the rear is
XJ Main
AAL
Dakota second
Dakota Third
Small block

I quite easily could have added the dakota main with the eyes cut instead of the AAL leaf.

This had netted me about 4 inches in the rear. A reasonable ride and flex. It took 3 tries to get the packs tuned to where I like them. First time was too low... Second time was too high & stiff and the third time was a charm. Be sure to have a couple of center pins handy and a set of new UBolts. The stock ones are too short and too small.

XJs (with d35 axle) use a 5/16 dia center pin. Dakotas use a 3/8 center pin
I choose to drill out the XJ main to use the 3/8 Dakota center pin I am not sure that I needed to do that but I did. Drilling the XJ main to use the Dakota center pin was not fun.... Looking back I am not sure that I needed to do it.

Do lots of research and start soaking it in PB blaster about a month before starting the lift install it will help. There have been two long threads recently about S10 and DakPacks.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=50083&highlight=bastard
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=71378&highlight=dakota+lift
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=57737&highlight=sucessful
and

We can not forget Goatman’s dissertation on how to tune a set of leaf springs. Most Excellent information.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23381&highlight=dakota+lift

Here are some pics of my XJ. RE 3.5 up front with DAKPack in the rear. I added a Tom Woods Shaft and AA SYE. I actually believe that I need to open up that floor boards to add a shacke lift to give the springs more travel to get the last bit of compression and droop from the rear end.