4" Homebrrew XJ lift

jfiscus · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 11:52 pm Post subject: 4" Homebrrew XJ lift

I currently have a 2.5" lift & run 33" tires, I just got 35s, so I think I need to go up another 1.5" to clear them fine & still have some flex.

In order to go up to around 4" of lift on my XJ here's what I think I'm going to need:

S10 leaves for rear
Extended rear brake line
BPE's for rear shocks
Rear shocks - Already have 3" lift shocks new in the box
New front coils
New front shocks
Extended front brake lines
New u-bolts
New leaf center pins
New trackbar
Extended LCA's?

Dang, those parts add up quick!

Did I leave anything off?
Does anybody have any good used parts or suggestions on what brands to get?
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JasonCherokee · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:11 am Post subject:

I dont think you need longer rear brake lines. I have 4.5" of lift and I am still runing my stock rear lines. I unhooked the hardline from the frame rail in the back to give me the needed length..
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1996 Cherokee Country
4.5" RC lift RE Hack and Tap with front driveshaft
35" Super Swamper TSL

AaronCherokee · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:40 am Post subject:

I seriously dont think you can fit 35's under a 4". Not if you want alot of travel in the back. Front is going to have to be really hacked as well. You should just trade me tires :-)

jfiscus · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:01 am Post subject:

Being that the tires are only 1" larger all the way around, I don't see how another 1.5" of lift would change my "flex" at all. It should space my tires back away from my uptravel limit (unibody) to back around where it is right now on 33s as I see it.

When I did 33s on 2.5" of lift everyone thought it couldn't be done, now a lot are doing it.

BTW, do BFG tires run actual 35" or do they run a little small (around 34" measured height) when fully inflated? I measured my aired up tires I am running now & they are exactly 33" tall.
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AaronCherokee · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 6:32 am Post subject:

Out of all the tires we measured that day, they were all between .5 - 1" smaller diameter. My 33" Knock off tires are 31.5 top to bottom and 32" sideways. The Procomps were 31" but measured 29.5" top to bottom, and the 35" on the Ford were 33.5" Top to bottom, 34" across. My 32" BFG spare was 31.5" IIRC.

You will definately have to bump stop correctly. You should have plenty of droop in the back, but hardly any compression. You should also consider the rest of the system. Stock steering and such, will not like the 35" tires too much. I am sure you know all of these factors. But I know if I had 35s in my garage I would try to downplay all the negatives on a mostly stock rig as well.

In the end, I say go for it, but be prepared to pay the penalty if it comes to that.

RuffedUpXJ · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:05 am Post subject:

I replaced all of my steering components when I put the 35's on liek bigger TRE's and a biggger Tie Rod. They do run a lil under the listed size I am not sure , I am too lazy to measure mine. Just hack her to hell throw the TJ flares up a lil and call it a day.
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88 XJ - 5" lift - 37 TSL SSR's - Bumpers - Rock Rails - Homebrewed OBA - Roof Rack - Tube Doors - Trimmed - Dented

bigben · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:39 pm Post subject:

The big dollar question is, do you plan on regearing? I'd be afraid to take that thing on the highway with 35's and the stock 3.55 gears. Even with 4.10's it'd be a dog with 35's. If it's going to be a 100% trail-only wheeler that gets towed everywhere, screw it. For that matter, do a Lincoln Locker. But if not, I'd consider regearing. Also, do you have a SYE? Over 3" with 35" would almost definitely cause ridiculous driveline vibrations along with rapid wear and tear. Again, not that big a deal for a trail-only rig.

Bigben

jfiscus · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:11 pm Post subject:

I recently purchased a trailer to haul my XJ around on, but I still like driving it around town on occasion, as my van is big & hard to find a good parking spot for it sometimes. I'm not sure my XJ is going to come off the road 100% or not yet.

I hadn't driven it on the highway for over a year (since I got my 33s), but I did drive it to & from the Wullenweber Jeepfest down I275 & it drove pretty good going about 50-55 on my speedometer (probably around 65 actual). I don't plan on driving it on the highway again though, it doesn't have the stopping power I would need at that speed.

I am not concerned with driveline vibrations, every XJ as old as mine I've seen lifted hasn't had problems with vibes. That is mostly post 91 XJs that have trouble with vibrations and need an SYE. I also have shims for me rear axle to help if I need them.

I currently have 1" lift coils & a 1.75" spacer in the front, so I could probably replace the coils with 2.5-3" lift coils & keep the spacer for ~4.5" in the front. I have heard that stock F150 coils give you 3" lift; but that they do not hardly flex either... So, I would probably go with Rusty's 3" coils.

In the rear I have a .75" shackle & AALs for another 1.75". I would like to find a good S10 or Dakota leaf pack & replace my AALs with those leaves. Hopefully that could get me 3.5-4" & I could either leave or remove the shackle lift.

I could get wrangler brake lines for the front & disconnect the rear brake line from the frame. If someone would give me a hand I could even put rear brakes on my XJ; I don't know how to do drums well. Rear brakes would probably help some, lol.

As far as steering, Nate says you can redrill the trackbar & maybe move the LCA's some. (I have some homebrew LCA's in my garage, but I am not sure how much I trust the welds on them & I'm not sure if they're too short/long for what I need)
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93 XJ on 33s - 88 XJ on 32s - 97 ZJ stock
86 XJ stock - 85 XJ stock
Custom Fab & Welding

RuffedUpXJ · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:22 pm Post subject:

Measure them center of the eye to center of the other eye. Then I can figure out if they will work.

I have 3.55 in my XJ and I can go on the highway, its not a sports car but it can do it. If i was around Jason I could put pads on but I am up at school, Nate TJ knows how to do them.
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88 XJ - 5" lift - 37 TSL SSR's - Bumpers - Rock Rails - Homebrewed OBA - Roof Rack - Tube Doors - Trimmed - Dented

GPER · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:51 pm Post subject:

Jason, brakes are over rated run big bumpers. The adventure to and from the trails are a part of the experience.
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jfiscus · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:15 pm Post subject:

RuffedUpXJ · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:24 pm Post subject:

Jason next time put it in drive and just back down using the throttle. I did it one time when i had a lil leak with my rear brakes
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88 XJ - 5" lift - 37 TSL SSR's - Bumpers - Rock Rails - Homebrewed OBA - Roof Rack - Tube Doors - Trimmed - Dented

jfiscus · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:46 pm Post subject:

GPER · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:30 am Post subject:

Jason, let me know when you want to do the brakes Ihave done my XJ and bring whatever it was you wanted more bead welded on. I'm not far from the church you were at for that wedding.
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Team Devil Frogg

It isn't the miles you cover, but the scenery you enjoy along the way.