flash2pablo
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Vancouver, WA
I have owned my current XJ for over three years. It started out life as a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Limited with the Upcountry suspension package riding on 30/9.5/15 on stock limited wheels.
This was definitely a budget build. When I purchased the jeep it was stock and had a number of issues for $1900.
Best photo from shortly after purchase:

The first goal was to add protection and tow points front and rear. The jeep came stock with front skid and gas tank skid. I added an early style JCR front non-winch bumber and a Rigid Co rear bumper (with so far uninstalled rear tire carrier). I will shortly be cutting and folding the rear fenders to add the side protection provided by my rear bumper and add the tire carrier. I added a set of used rock rails for side rocker protection.
I had started collecting parts for a lift over a year ago. I wanted about 4" of lift to clear at least 32's. I picked up a set of used leafs and coils. I purchased a set of used Rough Country lift shocks, set of adjustable lower control arms and quick disconnects.
I had decided that I wanted a Mud terrain tire and a relatively inexpensive option was a set of Rubicon Takeoff tires. I found a set of 5 on Craiglist for $360 and a set of 17"x9" black rock crawlers for $100.
Item to note, I have owned 10+ XJ/MJ's over the last 10 years, but the lifted ones had been purchased and I had never installed a lift on a vehicle. Over the past weekend, I began the install of my lift. I had a few hiccups in the installation process but had read up on a number of forum posts around the installation process so I was surprised how easy it actually was working alone. Main issues were getting driver side rear control arm bolt free and not being able to remove the sway bar lower axle side pressed in torx bolts. I didn't take any pictures before, but after spending about 8 hours on the installation of the front suspension I took a picture to compare.
After completion of front but before rear lift.

The rear lift was relatively easy and only one real issue arose. I had a hell of a time getting the driver side bolt/nut off the shackle/rear leaf spring. At one point I thought it was a lost cause and put out a request for an alternative shackle. I got a little help from my brother and with two people with two breaker bars we were able to put enough pressure to remove the shackle from the leaf spring. Finished up the rear lift in about 2.5 hours total.
I mounted up the wheels/tires with the following results how he currently sits:




This was definitely a budget build. When I purchased the jeep it was stock and had a number of issues for $1900.
Best photo from shortly after purchase:

The first goal was to add protection and tow points front and rear. The jeep came stock with front skid and gas tank skid. I added an early style JCR front non-winch bumber and a Rigid Co rear bumper (with so far uninstalled rear tire carrier). I will shortly be cutting and folding the rear fenders to add the side protection provided by my rear bumper and add the tire carrier. I added a set of used rock rails for side rocker protection.
I had started collecting parts for a lift over a year ago. I wanted about 4" of lift to clear at least 32's. I picked up a set of used leafs and coils. I purchased a set of used Rough Country lift shocks, set of adjustable lower control arms and quick disconnects.
I had decided that I wanted a Mud terrain tire and a relatively inexpensive option was a set of Rubicon Takeoff tires. I found a set of 5 on Craiglist for $360 and a set of 17"x9" black rock crawlers for $100.
Item to note, I have owned 10+ XJ/MJ's over the last 10 years, but the lifted ones had been purchased and I had never installed a lift on a vehicle. Over the past weekend, I began the install of my lift. I had a few hiccups in the installation process but had read up on a number of forum posts around the installation process so I was surprised how easy it actually was working alone. Main issues were getting driver side rear control arm bolt free and not being able to remove the sway bar lower axle side pressed in torx bolts. I didn't take any pictures before, but after spending about 8 hours on the installation of the front suspension I took a picture to compare.
After completion of front but before rear lift.

The rear lift was relatively easy and only one real issue arose. I had a hell of a time getting the driver side bolt/nut off the shackle/rear leaf spring. At one point I thought it was a lost cause and put out a request for an alternative shackle. I got a little help from my brother and with two people with two breaker bars we were able to put enough pressure to remove the shackle from the leaf spring. Finished up the rear lift in about 2.5 hours total.
I mounted up the wheels/tires with the following results how he currently sits:



