Newb Question

Stubbs · Aug 2, 2007

You guys are having way too much fun. Oh wait, that isn't possible....

I'm suffering from information overload, and I cannot seem to find a clear answer from searching the forums. I have a 1996 Cherokee Country which is my daily driver. It looks pretty sad on the 215/75/15 tires the guy I bought it from put on it. I would like to improve its appearance and performance with a lift kit, but like everyone else I'm on a budget.

I would like to at least run 31 10.50's on it, without cutting into my fenders, an my research shows that comes to a 3" or 3.5" lift. Highway ride quality is also very improtant to me, I'm willing to sacrifice some of those more radical rocks for a better ride, and my stock springs stink, so I'm planning on replacing all of the springs too.

I'm thinking I will also need to replace the gears front and back to maintain power both off roading and at 75 on the interstate, but I am at a loss as to how to determine the gear ratio I need. I'm also concerned about breaking stock axles, but I want a trail vehicle to overcome some steep inclines and small rocks, I don't need a rock crawler, at least not yet.

My budget is not super low, as in $200, but I need to keep it in the 5 to 8 hundred dollar range for the lift, as I also have to buy tires and do a major brake upgrade and possibly some front end work. I have to get out of this for under $1500 or so.

Many in the forums claim that Rocky Road outfitters isn't too good on the customer service, and ARB lists "Dealers" where I cannot buy direct.

4 Wheelers supply has lift kits, but the information on the various kits is seriously lacking. However, I'm looking at the Re XJ 3.5 Super ride kit:

http://www.4wheelerssupply.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/1647

with new rear springs(at an additional $250). Is this good or bad? Are the stock shocks fine, or do I need to upgrade to the Diamond, or one of the other brands?

Here is the admitedly sad jeep:

Any of you guys willing to point a newb in the right direction? :dunce:

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa242/stubbs73nm/P1010001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Barger · Aug 2, 2007

Stubbs said:
You guys are having way too much fun. Oh wait, that isn't possible....

I'm suffering from information overload, and I cannot seem to find a clear answer from searching the forums. I have a 1996 Cherokee Country which is my daily driver. It looks pretty sad on the 215/75/15 tires the guy I bought it from put on it. I would like to improve its appearance and performance with a lift kit, but like everyone else I'm on a budget.

I would like to at least run 31 10.50's on it, without cutting into my fenders, an my research shows that comes to a 3" or 3.5" lift. Highway ride quality is also very improtant to me, I'm willing to sacrifice some of those more radical rocks for a better ride, and my stock springs stink, so I'm planning on replacing all of the springs too.

I'm thinking I will also need to replace the gears front and back to maintain power both off roading and at 75 on the interstate, but I am at a loss as to how to determine the gear ratio I need. I'm also concerned about breaking stock axles, but I want a trail vehicle to overcome some steep inclines and small rocks, I don't need a rock crawler, at least not yet.

My budget is not super low, as in $200, but I need to keep it in the 5 to 8 hundred dollar range for the lift, as I also have to buy tires and do a major brake upgrade and possibly some front end work. I have to get out of this for under $1500 or so.

Many in the forums claim that Rocky Road outfitters isn't too good on the customer service, and ARB lists "Dealers" where I cannot buy direct.

4 Wheelers supply has lift kits, but the information on the various kits is seriously lacking. However, I'm looking at the Re XJ 3.5 Super ride kit:

http://www.4wheelerssupply.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/1647

with new rear springs(at an additional $250). Is this good or bad? Are the stock shocks fine, or do I need to upgrade to the Diamond, or one of the other brands?

3" will work for 31's without trimming.
Gears? what's in it now? may not need them for 31's check FAQ's 1st post
I've used DPG offroad for RE stuff always had good prices
also used 4x4 groupbuy he's been fair too, check on the forums there are several vendors who can sell you RE stuff for much better prices then you'll find listed anywhere.

You will need longer shocks and will need to consider a t-case drop or SYE to keep the driveline vibes down.

I ran a Rusty's 3" with 30x9.50s and was very happy for several years when I went bigger I used RE.

I ordered from Rocky Road once and didn't get the item for months i was not happy.

I'd think you could pull it off for $1500 if you shop around.
Good luck and keep searching the answers are on this baord

jeepcomj · Aug 2, 2007

3" kit is what you need for no trimming. make sure it includes new lower control arms, swaybar drop bracket (or disconnects), new front brake lines (not needed as you can bend your metal lines down farther). that's for the front and all you'd need besides shocks.

for the rear, an add-a-leaf would serve your purposes just fine. yes, i know they are "cheap" and "nonfunctional" BUT that's not entirely true. I have had a AAL on the back of my MJ for 3 years now and it has yet to sag.

you DON'T need an SYE kit for this to work. thats a wasted $500 for a measly 3" lift.

you DO need to balance your tires well, get a proper alignment on the front end, and a t-case drop is the best solution for your budget and to correct the angles of an xj's rear driveshaft.

as a comanche owner, I can run lifts in excess of 5" up to 6.5" with no need for a t-case drop due to a longer rear driveshaft. BUT when you get higher in lifts like that, it's prudent to get an SYE kit for the rear.

JNickel101 · Aug 2, 2007

He MIGHT need an SYE...every jeep is different....especially if he has the Chry 8.25 rear end.

Check out www.dpgoffroad.com and get a 3" OME lift....would stay away from an AAL especially since in the pic, it looks like your rear end is sagging pretty bad. If you want the best on road ride, you cant beat OME....

Yes, you will need new shocks....you should also get a new rear brake line (from a YJ), but like the others said, you can bend your front ones to make it work....

Nth Degree Mobility makes some good control arms, and they arent as expensive as JKS or some of the others....

JNickel101 · Aug 2, 2007

PS - you wont have to worry about breaking your stock axles on 31s, unless you have a REALLY heavy foot...which rear axle do you have anyway?

Stubbs · Aug 2, 2007

it looks like your rear end is sagging pretty bad

Yep, and this is after a trip through Colorado.

This stuff is new to me, I can talk all day about computer processor frequencies and overclocking, but Jeep suspension is eating my lunch.

Now I go off to find out what SYE means....

Thanks all for your help.

I'll post further questions as they come up. Damn, I hate the ultimate newb questions in the motherboard and overclocking forums, and now I am one. It sucks. I appreciate your patience.

Stubbs.

Stubbs · Aug 2, 2007

Ok, now I know what SYE means, at least I think I do....

I hate the ambiguity it presents, do I need to address it, or don't I...?

I'm going to a couple of 4wd shops tomorrow, I'll see what they have to say, and how much they will charge. That will determine if I want to do this with my mechanic friend, or just have it installed for me.

Thanks all....

Stubbs.

TRAILREADYXJ · Aug 2, 2007

Stubbs said:
Ok, now I know what SYE means, at least I think I do....

I hate the ambiguity it presents, do I need to address it, or don't I...?

This all depends on the Jeep and amount of lift. There are a couple things you can check that would help us give a better guess as to whether or not you need one.

1: Being a 96 you probably have the "exterior slip yoke", but check and see anyway. Just look at where the rear drive shaft attaches to the Tcase, is there a rubber boot on it?
2: What rear axle do you have? It will either be a D35 with around 2.63" axle tubes, or a 8.25 with 3" tubes.

If you keep it at an actual 3", you probably don't need the SYE, you can probably get away with a 1" T-case drop instead. Many good 3-3.5" kits will give you more than advertised.

On a budget you may want to look into Junkyard lifts, they can actually ride very well. This is basically everything you'd need:

1: Coils from a V8 Grand Cherokee (ZJ). These will give you 1-1.5".
2: A pair of 1.5"-2" coil spring spacers. I have used a couple stock isolators stacked for this. They "interlock" with each other, and stack quite nicely. Plus the local junkyard didn't even charge for them.
3: Make a "bastard pack" for the rear. Read this http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=50083

Then you just need Shocks, rear YJ brake line, and relocated front lines. You may want an adjustable Track Bar, but can probably re-drill the axle side mount to re-center the axle. HD lower control arms are a good idea, but you can use your stockers for now. They have some adjustablity in the pockets, so you may want to pick up some shims at the junkyard while your at it.

My OLD lift consisted of these parts. It rode and flexed well....but then I "had" to go bigger..... Here is a pic of it back in the day!

EDIT: My fenders are actually cut quiet a bit in this pic and the flares are raised, but that's only because I ran the 31s with a 2"BB (closer to 1.5" with the already sagging springs). You shouldn't have to do this at 3". I made use of the extra space though

Stubbs said:
I'm going to a couple of 4wd shops tomorrow, I'll see what they have to say, and how much they will charge. That will determine if I want to do this with my mechanic friend, or just have it installed for me.

You will have more fun doing this with a friend, plus it gives you stories to tell. XJs are relatively easy to work on, and it will give you the knowledge to fix things in the future. Not to mention the pride of doing it yourself.

Barger · Aug 3, 2007

Do it yourself. everthing your talking about doing except the gears just requires basic mechanic tools and 1 day. If your buddy is a mechanic you'll have no problem

Stubbs · Aug 3, 2007

I appreciate everyone's help....

I went the lamo route and I am going to have it installed, after reading your replies I feel a little guilty for that now...

I bought a 3" rough country, with all new springs and shocks, some 31 10.50 BFG's, and some new wheels.

Installation came to only $300, and I would have to pay my mechanic friend something, and I thought that was reasonable. I've dealt with the shop that is installing it before through my work, and I like their attitude. Funny how it is all about attitude, isn't it.

He said the biggest thing to remember about a 3" lift is after most everyone gets one on they wish they went with a 4" or 5", and I can believe that. My problem is a larger lift means bigger(more $) tires, better axles(more $), and I just don't have that kind of money to put at it right now. I'm already well over budget at $1800.

You know, I could probably change my mind about having it installed, I just may do that.

I'll post an after picture to go along with the before... I sure do enjoy a good forum like this one, thanks for all of your replies. I may petition the Colorado chapter to join, I live 5 miles south of the state line in New Mexico, and want to do a lot more Colorado Jeeping.

Stubbs.

EvanH · Aug 3, 2007

You really should look into installing it yourself. I had mine installed by my mechanic. After I looked over the forums and spent some time under my Cherokee I realized how easy it would have been just to DIY it.

If you feel safer going with your mechanic though, go for it! Good luck!

Stubbs · Aug 3, 2007

I sure am glad I insisted on new springs all the way around, based on the AAL experiences mentioned elsewhere in the forum.

All this jeeping talk makes me want to head for the hills.

erikwylie · Aug 3, 2007

I have the RE Superride with AAL and basterdpack mj springs, NO SYE and NO Tcase drop and I wheel the shit out of mine, no driveline vibe on highway or off and I run 31" tires and have yet to touch the fender wells!

my $.02

Yes I did put on new shocks!

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Stubbs

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jeepcomj

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JNickel101

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JNickel101

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Stubbs

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TRAILREADYXJ

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Barger

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