Bought Son 2000 XJ, Need Help with RC Lift

[Ima Doit]

My son just turned 16 and I got him a 2000 XJ for his birthday. It's lifted with what I believe is a 4.5 rough country lift. Not a great lift. Or tires for that matter.



As you might expect, the ride is terrible. I paid a local shop to go through the lift, set it up properly, and align it. They said the setup was poor. They never even installed the correct rear leaf springs that came with the kit. I'm putting them in the next few weekends.


However, the cherokee rides terrible. Front end pops when hitting bumps, vibrations are extreme, and it's still darty with bump steer. I'm disappointed that the shop didn't identify those problems for me. I was clear I wanted the lift setup and issues noted. i also asked for advice and told them what my end goal was "capable XJ that can safely be driven on the road".


I understand this will never be a cadillac, but, I've been in lifted XJ's in the past and most drive better than this.



The front sway bar was disconnected. I installed some quick disconnects and that made a huge difference in body roll.


Suspensions are not my strong suit. I can diagnose and repair engine issues, but, I'm lost with suspension. I was thinking to try and find some street wheels and tires to install until I get everthing tuned as well as it can be. I don't want to be fighting or get confused with tire issues. Previous owner was not kind to this car.



Should I scrap and replace the suspension? I would think that might not be necessary. Might need to upgrade a few things. But, in general, need some guidance.

Can you guys help? Where do I start? What should I check? I have most tools at my disposal except a lift.

 

[RCP Phx]

At 4.5" of lift, do you have drop brackets and extended shackles? Need a lot more info on the build, pics would help!

 

[RCP Phx]

BTW, RC shocks will give a harsh ride also!

 

[Ima Doit]

At 4.5" of lift, do you have drop brackets and extended shackles? Need a lot more info on the build, pics would help!

Drop brackets for control arms? Yes. drop shackles for rear? No. But it still has an add a leaf in the rear. I’ll grab some pictures when I get home this weekend.

 

[Ima Doit]

BTW, RC shocks will give a harsh ride also!

Yea. Not impressed with them. Was thinking some Bilstein after I get everything right. Mostly concerned with popping, darting, and vibrations at the moment.

 

[Tim_MN]

What is the budget ? Repairs, or trash it all and start with new ?

Bilstein shocks tend to be firmer than most, I run them on my daily driver XJ for better control. My trail ride XJ has DoetschTech DT-3000 and my CJ-7 has BDS, I recommend both. They both provided a decent pavement ride and excellent off-road control

Mostly concerned with popping, darting, and vibrations at the moment.

Suspension and axle bushings good ? Double shear track bar ? Stock pitman arm ? Alignment to stock specification, or alignment with considerations of lift suspension ? Ball joints good ? I get my tires balanced on a Hunter Road Force Balance machine.

 

[RCP Phx]

Wheel vibrations or driveline vibrations?

 

[Ima Doit]

I don’t know if the vibrations are tire or driveline. These tires are wore pretty bad but have decent tread. I’m trying to find some street tires to toss in while working in the suspension. Something that will allow me to know the difference.

Budget is a good question. I’d rather fix what’s here. I don’t mind replacing a few components if that’s what it takes. I’m already assuming for new tires. Tires aside, I’m figuring $600 or so on shocks. I think that will get in the something decent range. Then maybe another 4-500 to fix suspension or steering.

Goal is as little as possible, but, it’s understood I’ll spend some money. Not looking to drop $2-3k on upgrading the suspension on something I’m not sure will see much off-road. Probably more of a pavement princess for the next year or so. After that, who knows. I’m leaving it up to him. Will support whatever the habit is (to a degree)

I forgot this website won’t allow direct attachments. I have to submit a link. Let me see what I can do.

 

[Anak]

My son just turned 16 and I got him a 2000 XJ for his birthday. It's lifted with what I believe is a 4.5 rough country lift. Not a great lift. Or tires for that matter.



As you might expect, the ride is terrible. I paid a local shop to go through the lift, set it up properly, and align it.

What are the current alignment numbers? (caster, camber, toe-in)

 

[Ima Doit]

https://ios.imgur.com/?link=https:/...bi=imgurmobile&cid=3026856815898130391&_icp=1

 

[Ima Doit]

https://i.postimg.cc/HWM6sgzN/0-E44-EB05-8479-48-A9-99-DA-CDA8-E167-D9-EE.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/1tnJFhQf/2757-DA7-B-392-E-4-F29-801-C-9620-D52-C0662.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/xCwgyxfg/69-D0-FC21-A0-AB-4-CBD-892-C-A4-A5689958-E1.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/90ybxdz2/976-E949-F-055-D-4077-BB09-4276-F7-B28-C1-E.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/jScg04cd/C482-D321-9459-46-A7-8065-23-F91-B47314-C.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/cJ5F61Pp/EA280-FF6-57-B6-4149-B141-9-F908-FFD8-E21.jpg

 

[Ima Doit]

What are the current alignment numbers? (caster, camber, toe-in)

I don’t know these. If I can find with an angle gauge, I can try.

 

[Ima Doit]

Sorry. Trying to figure out photos.

 

[RCP Phx]

You do not have drop brackets and that is a lot of the stiffness in front, get db's or la's to fix that.Take a pic of the rear shackle angle, you can get a extended shackle and lose the add-a-leaf that will soften the rear. Your trackbar/draglink angles look a little questionable.

 

[Ima Doit]

I have 4” rough country leaf springs for the rear. Just haven’t installed them yet. Do I still need any kind of drop shackle?

For the front, isn’t that lower arm adjustable? Isn’t that what I want? And I’m not sure about the actual lift height. I guessed it 4.5” based on components and height.

 

[RCP Phx]

A SYE will fix rear driveshaft vines but the may be more of a problem since you have a LP D30.

 

[RCP Phx]

-vibes-

 

[Anak]

I don’t know these. If I can find with an angle gauge, I can try.

These numbers should be on the invoice from the shop you took it to.

I expect a competent alignment shop to provide me with 3 sets of numbers when I pay them for an alignment. There should be one set of numbers for the factory specs (including tolerances), one set of numbers for the actual specs when I brought it in and one set of numbers for the specs they were able to achieve.

If the shop did not at least provide you with the final numbers they achieved I would question the competency/integrity of the shop.

 

[Ima Doit]

Why is the D30 bad? And I’m not sure the vibrations are from the driveline yet. I’m betting most is in the tires.

 

[Ima Doit]

These numbers should be on the invoice from the shop you took it to.

I expect a competent alignment shop to provide me with 3 sets of numbers when I pay them for an alignment. There should be one set of numbers for the factory specs (including tolerances), one set of numbers for the actual specs when I brought it in and one set of numbers for the specs they were able to achieve.

If the shop did not at least provide you with the final numbers they achieved I would question the competency/integrity of the shop.

They did not. And I didn’t ask. And I do question them. Will not be going back. Was a waste of money. I was hoping going to a 4wd and lift specialist, I’d get a better tech/advice/troubleshooting. Just reaffirmed why I usually do all of my own work. And why I’m here.