I've decided to keep her. Major decisions...

rocknxj

rocknxj

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Clinton, Utah (SLC area)
After looking at a bank busting 2010 JK Rubicon today, I've made the final decision to keep my '99 XJ Classic and begin the build, with a completion date of Father's Day (to align with the annual Rubicon-Wentworth Trail Poker Run).

I built my first XJ on budget friendly 31" BFGs and a 3.5" RE lift (now my kid's) and have not really regretted the decision, but always wanted to go higher.

I'm siding with the RE 5.5" LA lift and 33" M/Ts, but also like the 4.5" SA lift and 32" M/Ts, since it will be my wife's DD. Anything less will feel inadequate.

I'd hate to spend so much on 4.56 gears without going to 33" or 35" but that may be too much for her to deal with (and a 6 year old in the back). Crap, crap, crap. Life was so much easier with the first XJ. Ideas? Suggestions? Want me to just STFU and go with the JK?
 
You could have a crazy built xj for the price of a jk.

I'd go 33's, or bigger. Im on 31's, and after wheelin with guys that are on 33-35's, I feel silly.

4.56's, 5.5 of lift, and 33's is the way to go. Very streetable, yet you can go nearly anywhere in Norcal. (Besides crazy insane vw bug sized rocks seen on some of these trails.)
 
JRW7072009 said:
I really like the JKs but I like not having a car payment more. I think that the 5.5 RE LA kit and 33s will be fine for your wife to drive it daily.

How ever the RE kits for the JKs are not to expensive, and they look awesome.:firedevil
Click to expand...

I've decided on the RE6300 - XJ 5.5" EXTREME-DUTY LONG ARM with 33x12.50 MTs on Soft 8's.

I'll be selling my 1.5" OME lift, shocks, and 30.5" BFG/AT tires/15" stock rim combos to somebody who wants a little bit of lift. Stay tuned...
 
rocknxj said:
I'll be selling my 1.5" OME lift, shocks, and 30.5" BFG/AT tires/15" stock rim combos to somebody who wants a little bit of lift. Stay tuned...
Click to expand...

I'll be keeping an eye out for this. Won't need the rims though...I currently have a nice set of Ravines. Are you calling it 1.5" lift because it has sagged? Do you know how many miles are on it?
 
I bought this Jeep with it on it, but I doubt it has sagged any. The parts look very clean and new. I will pour through the PO's log book and find out when exactly he installed the lift. He did a great job and the Jeep handles beautifully, but I need 4.5" or greater (that's what she said).

It has taken me several months to finally decide to upgrade the lift. I just like the feel of this OME lift and I hated to remove it, but I've got Jeep envy now that I've given Old Blue with the 3.5" lift and 31's to my kid.
 
I prefer the Treks radius arms over the RE ones, especially if you plan to wheel it fairly hard. More of a personal opinion, but might be worth looking into.
 
The newer years like SYE and driveshaft when they get that much lift. Limiting straps go well with Long Arms. Steelies can be trail repaired with a hammer. Since the wife is DD'ing it, I imagine you are thinking a selectable locker or two when you regear...
Let the modifications begin!
 
Lodi Jim said:
The newer years like SYE and driveshaft when they get that much lift. Limiting straps go well with Long Arms. Steelies can be trail repaired with a hammer. Since the wife is DD'ing it, I imagine you are thinking a selectable locker or two when you regear...
Let the modifications begin!
Click to expand...

Yes, selectable locker for the front for sure. We discussed that and many other things at the club meeting tonight (you missed another one. I think we voted you club President ha ha ha). Half of the club voted for 33" tires, and the other half voted for 32" tires. Tony said I should go with 40's.

For budget reasons, I may forget the LA lift and go with the 4.5" or 5.5" short arm lift. I don't want it ending up being too tall for the wife to drive on a daily basis and I end up with it full time...Hey, wait a minute....:)
 
rocknxj said:
I bought this Jeep with it on it, but I doubt it has sagged any. The parts look very clean and new. I will pour through the PO's log book and find out when exactly he installed the lift. He did a great job and the Jeep handles beautifully, but I need 4.5" or greater (that's what she said).

It has taken me several months to finally decide to upgrade the lift. I just like the feel of this OME lift and I hated to remove it, but I've got Jeep envy now that I've given Old Blue with the 3.5" lift and 31's to my kid.
Click to expand...

I have always liked Old Blue. Pretty much what I was set on building. I was leaning towards OME since I mostly just DD the Jeep now, but when my GF saw the pics of the lift she said she could hardly tell it was taller than stock. Made me start thinking about the RE 3.5 again...oh choices...
 
For handling sakes I would go with a long arm if you plan on going above 4.5". I had a 4.5" short arms (no drop brackets) and man it was a rough ride. I went to 6" with long arm and what a difference.

I am also with Matt - If you are going to go long arm, check into Treks.

Have Fun :-)
 
american_zero said:
I have always liked Old Blue. Pretty much what I was set on building. I was leaning towards OME since I mostly just DD the Jeep now, but when my GF saw the pics of the lift she said she could hardly tell it was taller than stock. Made me start thinking about the RE 3.5 again...oh choices...
Click to expand...

The 3.5" RE lift is really solid, as long as you get the full leafs. I'm completely happy with it and you can always add an adjustable track bar, discos, and other improvements to increase its flex.

My red XJ (Frog) has the OME lift and it is also very good, if not a tad low to ground. You'll see the biggest difference when you park next to a stock (duh) Jeep, but you are right, next to anything taller and it is lost in the comparison.

Good luck on the lift decision. Just DONT stay stock. he he he
 
Since you're trying to keep the lift amount just enough to run 33's (definitely go 33's, you're wife won't notice the difference) then look at the long arm kits crossmember height. You don't want to loose ground clearance. I think the Trek crossmember is higher clearance than the RE. If you'll keep to 4.5" of lift you can be fine with short arms. If you'll end up going taller later you'll probably like the LA, just watch the belly clearance.

I'm in the process of doing the same thing. I'm lifting my new to me XJ just enough to run 33's. I already have a complete RE 4.5" lift with short arms, but I'm going to work over the D30 with a truss and raise all of the control arm mounts. Then I'll have better arm angles and good ground clearance with the short arms.
 
All good points, Goatman. For budget reasons, I am probably going with the 5.5" short arm lift from RE. I won't be going extreme until I retire this XJ from DD duties, then can swap to a LA lift in the future. I know what you mean about the clearance issue.

Since I'm posting again, and this is looking like more of a blog than anything, it has been a very good week for my XJ. I bought some AJ's SuperRails and stout diff covers from Dan at Ruff Stuff Specialties. Maybe by the time the rails show up it will warmer out so I can start doing some painting.

Ordering the lift and SYE early next week. This thing is going to be sweeeeet.
 
I've been DDing that 5.5" RE short arm kit (w/ drop brackets) on 33x10.5's for a little over 8 years now and it has been a great combo for me. Does very well off-road and handles great on-road... You (and she) should be very happy with it.

With stock backspacing, the tires should tuck into the wheel wells with very minimal trimming to the flares. You'll probably want to consider additional bumpstopping (beyond what is included with the kit) unless you want to use your inner fender wells as the stops.
 
Sounds like a good plan. Mine is going the same direction. Im going up another inch or two, with 33's, LA's and 4.56's.

Stoked!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Jeepin_JD
92 XJ Sport - Resto Mod
Replies
17
Views
367
Jeepin_JD
Jeepin_JD
jrienzo4
Direction/Feedback Needed
2
Replies
21
Views
754
Evan03
E
J
Down to a few electrical issues.
Replies
3
Views
444
Jay Ratliff
J
DZRTANK
Time to sell. What should I ask for it?
Replies
12
Views
1K
lesslimited
lesslimited
W
Newbie with an XJ
Replies
9
Views
626
Wander Motor
W
Back
Top