Guys,
I cant thank you enough for your input and advice.
Not sure any lift kits are worth a shit.
Anything titled "lift kit" is meant to take as much of your money with the least amount of investment and effort from the seller.
A suspension system would be a big investment a junk lift kit with junk shocks and parts not so much.
This will require effort time and investment on your end to decide what is the correct path to take for you. I guess thats why your here.
Sfr 3 link, rock link, paired with propper supporting parts, shocks(not junk lift kit shocks). These arent the only suspension to go with in the front just ones i have experince with
Brake lines, slip yoke elimator, drive line's rear springs, shackles, shocks
For what its worth theres very few well set up xjs on the street or trail. Most drive steer and ride like shit . But i guess they look cool
A small tire xj on grippy tires and front locker will be very capable machine on the street and trail with propper gear on bored. Bypassing the need for a lift kit in the first place.
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I hear you. That's my biggest concern is how it will effect driveability. My xj is my daily driver and I work in Boston so there is a shit-ton of bumps and potholes. Although, I want this thing to be as "off-road capable" as possible the
most important thing is that it drives as smoothly as possible on the streets so i don't feel every bump and pothole on the road. I will be taking it off-roading for hunting, etc. but won't be doing any over-the-top wheeling.
So you just had me rethink my "lift plan" and instead of going for a kid I may just "cherry pick" each part of my lift and make a Frankenstein lift.
**The question is, What parts should I get that are cheaper and more affordable (such as RC) that are not as important that can save a few bucks on AND what parts should I buy that are of better quality (like shocks) so I can get the best street ride possible? (without spending an arm and a leg)
From what I've read Billsten 5100 shocks seem to be a good choice for "on-the-road" drivability and absorb bumps and potholes well.
*Also, from what I've researched finding and installing the correct Shackle and Drop Brackets are wicked important also for a smoother ride.
I have a 01 xj with the Dana 35's that have the 3:55 gear ratio.
I plan on running 32x 11.50 tires on them and don't plan on re-gearing my axles until next year. I will also be buying a SYE and Rubicon Trac-Bar to put on my lift.
As for a kit, then Iron Rock Offroad (IRO) or DPG. I do not have a kit from either, though. I would go with piecing something together. Also, depends on what level you want to build to. Yeah, what $$$ to spend. Also, as mentioned in your other thread, look at a front long arm stet up. Again, price. I went with Ironman front and rear. I am considering Dirt Bound or IRO as an upgrade on my 2" short arm XJ. I do have some Stinky Fab parts. his stuff is usually way over built. Which is good.
On your 3-1/2 springs, I have Old Man Emu I bought from DPG. Changes in build plans, I haven't installed them. I might go with them and the 3-1/2 front springs from Metal Cloak on my 2" lifted XJ.
Wow, man! Great stuff! Thank you for sharing. I am going to take your advise and "piece together" my lift kit. Now I am just trying to figure out what "cheaper" components I can spend less on that are not so important and which more expensive components to buy that are more important for better drivability. If you could help me choose the right parts i would GREATLY appreciate it. Unfortunately, the IRO, DPG, and Old man Kits are way to expensive for my budget. Ideally, I am trying to piece the entire lift kit with an initial max budget of $1100 max just to get it in the air. Later as time goes by I will add to the kit to make it better.
Initially, I was going to buy the cheaper Rough Country 3'inch lift AAL system but decided not to go with the AAL system bc it rides very stiffly. So I decided to go the full-leaf route.
So, So far I am thinking:
-Rubicon Express Coils springs
-Rubicon Adj track bar
-Bilsten 5100 shocks
-Zone Leaf Springs (seems like a good option)
Also what about
-Control arms: ?
-Brackets?
-Shackes? (angle?)
-Shims?
-Ubolts?
Any advice on HOW and WHAT to buy separately so I can piece my own lift together and what to spend more and less on would be a great help. I just want to have a nice ride that looks and feels good on and off-road without breaking the bank but having the "right" high-quality and less expensive components.
I also want to thank everyone on this forum who has helped me. It's been 2 years since i entered the XJ community and it's become an obsession. I have learned so much on this forum and it has brought a HUGE amount of happiness in my life which I really needed and a great hobby. I couldn't have done any of this without the help from you guys. Looking forward to keeping growing an learning on here. Soon I will be starting my own thread with everything I have done on my XJ and it will be a continuing project! Anyways, yea..thanks guys