Hey folks, in my continuing saga to make my wife’s new daily driver 97XJ (4liter, 4WD, Auto)look nice a couple weeks ago I had a Rocky Road Outfitters 2 inch budget lift installed by our mechanic Ralph.
The XJ looked decent and sat level but the rear leaf springs were totally leveled out. I figured it would only be a matter of time before they started sagging so we decided to install new leaf springs. Ralph installed them this week and they raised the rear about two inches higher than the old springs. Which means it sits about 4 inches higher than it originally did. The XJ now has a slight rake to it, not bad, but it’s is noticeable. I’m going to assume some rear settling will occur.
We did get vibration after the initial lift and it kicks in at 30 and decreases around 40 mph. I told Ralph I also plan on buying a ½ transfer case spacer and hoped that would fix the vibration, but he said that wouldn’t do anything for the driveshafts angles? He tried to explain to me but I didn’t follow him, but still think the spacer would help, I figure it can’t hurt.
We’re also shopping for new tires and wheels before snow arrives here. Originally I was going to go with 15X7, 225 30 inch tires. But now that it sits so much higher I’m wondering if 15X8 with 235/31 inch tires would look better. We want the wheel wheels to be completely filled up, but she doesn’t want the tires to sit much past the stock flares. Any suggestion for wheel/tire combo would be much appreciated. I already told her Merry Christmas, this is getting expensive. I’ll try and get pics after we get them installed. Thanks folks.
The XJ looked decent and sat level but the rear leaf springs were totally leveled out. I figured it would only be a matter of time before they started sagging so we decided to install new leaf springs. Ralph installed them this week and they raised the rear about two inches higher than the old springs. Which means it sits about 4 inches higher than it originally did. The XJ now has a slight rake to it, not bad, but it’s is noticeable. I’m going to assume some rear settling will occur.
We did get vibration after the initial lift and it kicks in at 30 and decreases around 40 mph. I told Ralph I also plan on buying a ½ transfer case spacer and hoped that would fix the vibration, but he said that wouldn’t do anything for the driveshafts angles? He tried to explain to me but I didn’t follow him, but still think the spacer would help, I figure it can’t hurt.
We’re also shopping for new tires and wheels before snow arrives here. Originally I was going to go with 15X7, 225 30 inch tires. But now that it sits so much higher I’m wondering if 15X8 with 235/31 inch tires would look better. We want the wheel wheels to be completely filled up, but she doesn’t want the tires to sit much past the stock flares. Any suggestion for wheel/tire combo would be much appreciated. I already told her Merry Christmas, this is getting expensive. I’ll try and get pics after we get them installed. Thanks folks.
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