Got the lift on

[american_zero]

Just washed the Jeep earlier, so here are some pics of the lift that we installed on Saturday over at Tim's place. I didn't disco the front for the "flex" pic and that's the most flex I could get over at my parents place. I measured from the center of the wheels to the flares all around and have the measurements downstairs in the Jeep, but it was lifted roughly 2.5" in front and only 1.5" in the rear from the standard 17.5" in front and 17" in back. I'll either add an OME aal to the packs or a longer shackle to even it out.

 

[american_zero]

Now that the lift is on, it's time to start shopping for tires. I'm wondering what you're opinions are for 31x10.50x15 All Terrains...not putting mud terrains on this Jeep and I want something quiet. This Jeep is mostly for daily driving and trail riding/exploration type of wheeling. I wont be clawing my way through the Rubicon or anything like that. I do my best to stay out of deep mud and serious rocks. Trails like Deer Valley, Strawberry, and Slick Rock would probably be the toughest trails I will visit in the coming couple of years. The current top four tires on my list are:

GY Duratrac's -- getting lots of good reviews...comparable to BFG, but more aggressive
and possibly quieter. I'm really considering this one.

BFG All Terrains -- proven for a long time but also a very old design that I think could be improved on.

DC Fun Country II's -- probably the least street friendly on my list, but seems to be liked by quite a few over on Expedition Portal.

Dueler Revo II's -- probably the best street tire of them all and I've seen some good reviews from people who have run lots of miles offroad with them. Least aggressive of the bunch, but still probably enough for my uses. This is up towards the top with the Duratrac for me.

 

[american_zero]

To pick up the rear an inch I am thinking either OME's AAL that they build to match their leaf springs (supposedly works really well because of this). Or, 1" shackles? I realize the AAL will make it slightly stiffer, but I don't think it would be objectionable. JKS makes nice shakles http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/m...ES&Store_Code=JKS01&Category_Code=Leaf_Spring

Any other suggestions?

 

[the_weirdo]

Craigslist has some 31" BFG AT's mounted on wheels for $450: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/2162130703.html

 

[JOSEJALAPENO]

The Goodyear Duratrac's are sweet, I have had very good luck with them.
All of my customers that are running them are very happy.


I would say the next tire would be the BFG AT KO.


That is just my .02

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Bridgestone Dueler REVO2, ever since I had the original REVO I realized they are the best. I have heard really good things about the GY Duratrac. Do NOT waste your time with the BFG's I have a set right now, and they suck.
I have read lots about the General Grabber AT2 however. SIlr to BFG but cheaper and better.

 

[94xjstud]

For the 1" lift go with shackles, the AAL will sag evetually and you can always use the shackles if you change the leaf set up.

I vote BFG A/T

 

[Alex E]

To pick up the rear an inch I am thinking either OME's AAL that they build to match their leaf springs (supposedly works really well because of this). Or, 1" shackles? I realize the AAL will make it slightly stiffer, but I don't think it would be objectionable. JKS makes nice shakles http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/m...ES&Store_Code=JKS01&Category_Code=Leaf_Spring

Any other suggestions?

I've got some pretty clean Rustys .75 shackles if you want them, they are in good condition and the bushings are fine, they just need that steel insert for the bolt. If any one has those inserts or know where to get them your welcome to have them.

 

[american_zero]

Craigslist has some 31" BFG AT's mounted on wheels for $450: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/2162130703.html

Thanks for the heads up, but that looks like they are about half worn and I don't want the rims. So, after I add in dismount/mounting and time to get rid of the wheels, I am not saving half the price of new. Since I plan on keeping this Jeep a while, I don't mind buying new tires for it. Duratracs are running about $150/ea on Tirerack at the moment.

I've got some pretty clean Rustys .75 shackles if you want them, they are in good condition and the bushings are fine, they just need that steel insert for the bolt. If any one has those inserts or know where to get them your welcome to have them.

I think I need more than .75" in the back but I need to double check that. I measured the heights all the way around, but have the paper at home in the Jeep.

I'm actually surprised to hear so many people vote against the AAL. From what I understand of OME's AAL, is that it's pretty much just adding a leaf with the same arch and spring rate as the others in the pack. Stiffens the rate about 20% and lifts about 1". The AAL isn't arched more than the spring pack trying to lift the whole thing, like most other AAL's do. I don't know. I do like the ease of installation of a shackle though. Does anyone else make a 1-1.25" shackle?

 

[poomero]

I love my Duratracs, They are quiet and they feel great on the highway for DD but they look aggressive at the same time. They wear well and last a long time. They get good grip off road and they are perfect for trips to Tahoe and in the rain.

 

[american_zero]

poomero - you're Josh with the red XJ, right? I really liked your Duratracs in 31's. I've seen them on a few trucks in parking lots and thought they always looked a little weird, but your's changed my mind. The sidewalls didn't seem any softer or more vulnerable than the BFG's and the tread is pretty aggressive. Now if only I could score a deal like you. haha

 

[knucklehead 61]

i have terraflex shackles on my green XJ that i want to pull & replace with iron man adjustable shackles. maybe we can work out a deal...

 

[poomero]

poomero - you're Josh with the red XJ, right? I really liked your Duratracs in 31's. I've seen them on a few trucks in parking lots and thought they always looked a little weird, but your's changed my mind. The sidewalls didn't seem any softer or more vulnerable than the BFG's and the tread is pretty aggressive. Now if only I could score a deal like you. haha

Yeah that's me. I think they are still worth the retail price for them.

 

[american_zero]

i have terraflex shackles on my green XJ that i want to pull & replace with iron man adjustable shackles. maybe we can work out a deal...

Are these 1.5" shackles? They might be a little too tall, but might be worth a shot. I'm sure we can work something out. If they end up too tall I could probably just use the metal sleeves in the .75" Rusty's shackles that Alex E offered me above.

Yeah that's me. I think they are still worth the retail price for them.

Right now they are running about the same price as BFG A/T's. ~$160/tire shipped. But I'm also considering the General Grabber AT2's now since they are are something like ~$130 shipped ($120 less total) and pretty much the same as the BFG's. Too many choices...hasta

 

[american_zero]

I went out and measured the Jeep in the parking at work on my lunch -- nice and flat ground. I've probably put ~80 miles on it since the lift and it seems to be settling just a touch from when it first went on.

There is a 1/4" difference side to side in the front and rear. Oddly, it's opposite of each other (i.e. the front is higher on the drivers side, rear is higher on the passenger side). There might be a slight uneveness in the pavement, that might explain it. And these lift amounts are based on the generally accepted stock center of the wheel to the bottom of the flare measurements of 17.5" front and 17" rear.

Front is lifted ~2.75" and the rear is 1.75". So I do need a full inch of lift in the rear.

Another odd thing I noticed is that although it's sitting an inch lower int he back, the other day I measured from the ground to the bottom of the rockers and the body was level. So, maybe the XJ has a bit of a rake to it stock? I've never checked before.

Maybe I should just order up the JKS shackles since they are 1" shackles and should get me nice and level. The Rusty's will be a tad low and the Teraflex will be a little high.

 

[american_zero]

Picked up an Appalachian Armor transfer case skid plate on ebay last night. Should be more than enough for my needs and I couldn't pass up the $50 + shipping price tag.

 

[american_zero]

Shortly after the lift, I developed a nice clunk from the rear end. It happens when I come to a complete stop and the rear end settles back down on the springs. So I pulled the rear wheels today and hit all of the bolts on the rear with a torque wrench. One of the lower shocks nuts was loose so I tightened that and I also torqued the leaf spring eye bolts to spec just in case having them looser was causing the noise. U-bolts were still nice and tight. Still clunks though. Not sure what the issue is. Any ideas? I've had a sticking rear brake before and when it would release, it made a similar noise. If I stop really gently, it won't clunk until I let off the brake to move again.

 

[american_zero]

Tried to resolve the clunk today by removing the drums and cleaning the brakes and adjusting them with only minor improvement, but its still mostly there.

I also attempted to install my C4x4 tow hooks and ran into some issues. The frame rails are wrinkled inward towards the front for the last 5 inches or so. So the frame plates have about a quarter inch of space at the front. I think I'll have to make some spacers out of steel to fill the space. Will also need some longer bolts.

 

[american_zero]

Did some reading up on Naxja and the clunk may be my slip yoke at the transmission or a u-joint. I'll need to dig into it one day.

And for tires, I am throwing another option into the list - a cheaper option. Falken Rocky Mountain A/T's http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...=18293&counter=1&ar=1050&rd=15&sw=false&cs=31 I've had other Falken tires on my car and liked them, so I am willing to give these a shot. Read some decent reviews, although guys with heavy trucks don't seem to like them. Shouldn't be a problem with the XJ though.

 

[rocknxj]

I've seen a worn driveline u-joint cause a clunk when put in gear. It was like that when my kid bought his Jeep and we thought it was his rear locker. Got progressively worse until vibes got bad. New u-joint at the rear diff fixed the clunk and vibes.

You mentioned earlier that your u-joints are nice and tight. Got vibes?