More XJ lift questions

My GF just bought an XJ (because she was jealous of me :grin: ) and is talking lift, she's not the tech geek the rest of us are, but I showed her pictures and she seems to like the "around 4 to 5 inches lift, 31 inch tires" XJ's ... the tall with skinny legs look I guess.

The truck will be used off road on "3 out of 5" rated recreational trails, and will need to retain daily driver comfort.

I threw a budget boost on a friend's XJ earlier this year, and can tell that Jill will *definitely* need new lower control arms, but what about the top ones? How important are new upper control arms for a 4-5" lift?

Should the track bar upper mount be relocated, or a longer bar? (which is better?)

What aftermarket shackles are available? I can see that the rear shackles are too short to give much flex, is there anything a full 2" longer than stock? This will probably be coupled with some Dakota spring tomfoolery.

Lastly: I read in a recent 4x4 mag they say 31's will fit a stock XJ with "minor rubbing, some minor trimming required" ...but everything I read here says that's bull. What's the real story? Can 31's fit without trashing her pristine bodywork? The existing tires are mad cheesy street queens but Jill doesn't want to buy new tires now (235's) , then new tires again in a couple months when she's got the $ and I have the time to lift (31-32") . Stock alloy wheels will be used because she likes them.

With 4-5" of lift, I am sure you can run something more significant than 31", I am at 5-5.5" and I run 32x11.5R15 Muds with no rubbing, after some fender and flare trimming (Oh yes, with the RE drop brackets, I do rub on the lower control arms at full lock).

Upper control arms? You can go without them, but I run up against caster issues, so I got adjustable uppers (vs fixed lowers). If you go with adjustable lowers, you might avoid the uppers.

Aftermarket shackles, as far as I know RE's shackles are 1.5" longer than stock.

You will need an adjustable trackbar, if you want the flexibility of adjusting the front end angles, without drilling holes.

If manufacturers are to be discussed, don't be tempted to go the Rusty's way. Too many problems with too many parts. If I were to build my rig from scratch, I wouldn't touch his parts. RE is the way to go for your components.

My 2 Eurocents of contribution.

Ed Stevens has done a lot of research on this, and he has a great write-up on his web site -- which I unfortunately do not have bookmarked on this computer. What he has found is that ON STOCK RIMS you can run 31" tires with no lift, if you extend the rear bump stops or use the longest (tallest) of the four factory sizes.

IMHO I think 4.5 to 5.5 inches of lift is more than you need with 31" tires. 31's and a 3" lift is an excellent combination, especially if daily driver road manners is a consideration.

Eagle - bookmark this: http://members.aol.com/Stvns/XJhelp2.html

If your only run 3 rated trails all you need it 3" and 31's. I have 5" with some trimming and can easily fit 33's.

With 3" you only need lower control arms and really you can use the stock arms for awhile if you want.

I have run 31's with a Trailmaster 4" lift and SSV shocks for the past 100K miles. I really was happy with this inexpensive set up. If you just want to run 31's then you may want to look at this. It uses mostly stock parts and IMHO, is a much better choice than a 3". 3's just don't look as good with the 31's. I have sat next to so many of them and they all end up being dissapointed they didn't go 4". If you go past that then you will start spending a ton of money, like I am doing now.

Soon to have RE 5.5.

Curt

I run a 5.5 inch lift, turning 32x11.50 M/Ts. I love it, not too small.
'Cept when you lift it, swap in some gears. I don't have higher gears, just factory, and it sucks.

If this is a DD and is to be done on a budget I would recommend a 3" lift (there are tons of ways of getting there, either new or used or combination). You can fit the 31's on stock rims and for next to nothing (up to a few hundred dollars depending on how you do it) you can run the tires and get the look and capability you want.

Once you get to 32's and enough lift for them 4" plus (depending on trimming) then you run into new gears, control arms, breaks, trackbar etc.

All you need for the 3" is a aal or shackle (I recommend the aal) and longer coils or coil spacers. Trackbar can be left until funds are available, just make sure your driveline angles are good, make sure the break lines are long enough at full droop, and make sure you get a good alignment along with castor adj.

Michael

Thanks for all the info guys!

I'm having my GF read this so she can make some decisions

I have a 4" lift and 32s...they fit nicely, but I am gonna go up to 2" higher by the spacers and another aal or shackle. Here is a pic of mine... I haven't really flexed with it yet, but have had no problems on road, even in tight cornering...



http://www.eriejeeppeople.com/modul...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

http://www.eriejeeppeople.com/modul...ame=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

Hope this helps...