XJ Lift

[ebtek]

I know this is an Unlimited Forum, but I'm thinking about lifting my XJ. It's a 2wd so I dont want anything too expensive. Thinking about 3" or 4" and I already have the 31's. It was the one I had passed on to my son but he doesn't want it anymore. He comes home from AIT this Friday or Saturday and wants a newer Jeep. So heres a pic. Will also be getting Rusty's flares since I cant seem to find the right front passenger anywhere in town. Think I'll spend about 1k on this setup. My neighbor told me he would do the lift for free in his garage all I have to do is help him. What do you fellow Jeepers think? It'll be a daily driver.


This is the look I'm going for.

[moneypit]

Can't help you with what kind of lift , but I would look at what gear ratio you have. Four inches of lift should get you to 33's I would think. Could make it kind of a dog with and automatic. Have you tried the XJ guys on www.jeepforum.com ?

[ebtek]

Been researching and I came across JeepForum.com and NAXJA. Not sure on the gear ratio, but I do know it has some good power.

[moneypit]

Most Diffs have a small metal tag on them that give the gear ratio. See if your does. If you have less then 3:73 you may want to address that. Just something to think about before you spend all the money.

[sylvanis]

Most XJs came w/3.54s iirc. Are you doing add a leaf's? Shackles & Spacers? you should be ok.

Swap out the gears, drop in a new axle, driveshaft and an atlas.....2wd to 4wd in a few simple steps....LOL.

[gorillaskater]

Sorry this is late, but I've lifted my XJ 3 times stock to 2", 2"-4", 4"-6".

2 things to consider, the higher you go, the rougher the ride because of the angle of the front control arms. Also, the higher you go, the more likely you'll need a AYE and CV drive shaft.

From stock to 2", I was OK with a T-case drop, but 2-4" I needed an SYE.

If you aren't going to wheel it (probably not since it's 2wd) and not carry a heavy load, you can probably get away with a 2" lift.

$1000 for this project is awesome, because you can buy high quality stuff. You can get a full Old Man Emu lift (springs and Old Man Emu Shocks) for $700 bucks or so. Basically, the best riding XJ suspension lift around.

Lastly, about the gears, you most likely have 3:55 gears. You should be OK with 31's, but there will be a power loss. I am still running 3:55's with 33's and it not great. I was about to regear and build up the axles, when i decided to take that $$ and start looking for a LJ Rubicon, but that's another thread...

Hope this helps,

Rey

[ebtek]

A few pics:

[sylvanis]

looks sharp....What are you putting in it? Maybe I can persuede my wife to do something similar.

[ebtek]

My sons Jeep now and his project:

Suspension:
Rustys 4.5" Spring Pack
Rustys Upper and Lower Forged Flex End Adjustable Control Arms
Rustys Steering Conversion (wheel to wheel tie rod and draglink)
Rustys Adjustable Trac-Bar and HD Trac-Bar Mount
4 Rustys shocks and Stabilizer
JKS Bar Pin Eliminators Front and Back
Rustys Upper Shock Conversion
ADDCO SwayBar

Exterior:
Xtralights Clear/Black Turn Signal Housings
IPCW Euro Tail Lights
Big Country Roof Rack
4 ProComp 6" 130 watt Lights
OrFab Non-Winch Bumper
OrFab Bumper Light Mount Kit (not insatlled yet)
Rustys Rocker Armor (not installed yet)
Rustys Flex Flares (not installed yet)

Interior:
Llyod Jeep Logo Floor Mats
Rustys Diamond Plate Doorstep Guards
Racing Style Pedals
B&M Automatic Megashifter (not installed yet)
Polished Fire Extinguisher W/ Polished Mount
Alpine Deck
4 Alpine Type-s 6 1/2" speakers
DUAL 12" Subs
Infinity 2 Channel 500 watt RMS Amp

Other:
Optima Red Top Battery
Spectre 6"x9" Cold Air Intake

[jeepguylj]

XJ is looking Sweeet!!

[ebtek]

Thanks! I may put the wheels and tires I have on my Unltd. on this and go back to the ravines and some 33X10.50's