My 2000xj went back to stock today

[jeepguy97]

Scary....Anyway i just installed a 2" RE lift on my 97 XJ this weekend. So far it rids good and i havent had problems but i just want to say if u have never done a lift BE PREPARED. I broke off all four uper shock mount bolts, broke the break line and had to use a torch to cut rear spring clamps and center pin. And they said it could be installed using basic hand tools (lol). Anyway do u think i will be alright with this lift as far as drivline angles etc?

 

[bchulett]

>>> bigger 32" tires (should've went with 33's), Now, as I said above, the only thing I have is a slight driveline vibe that is fixeable. Would I do it again? Probably. I really like how it turned out. It is, however, one of those things that once you start, you have to be prepared to do whatever it takes to finish it.<<<<

I also like the way it turned out ... nice XJ.

Since I'm in the "doing whatever it takes to finish it" phase .... I'd appreciate some insight to what apparently has become my purpose in life ... at least at the moment:

I have all the right stuff, but also have a slight vibe around 25mph ...

How can you tell it's coming from the front shaft, not the rear ?


I'm currently sitting around 5" with my RE4.5 and was planning on 32's ...

Why would you go to 33's in lieu of 32's ?


I also think that I'd rather have 33's now ... but that means I would need to upgrade to RE5.5" and start this process all over again. :looney:

 

[Çrestfa||en]

Everyone makes the comment "If you're going to do it, do it right the first time" then they tell you to plan for the sye, uca ,lca ect ect. I say start from the bottom and slowly build up over time. Fix it as problems arise. The reason you're lift caused you so much frustration is because you tried to do everything at once(that and it's a 2000xj). And then you have tons of problems and too many things that may be causing the problems. First thing I did was zj coils and leaf helpers, which put my 90xj back at stock height. Then a lockrite in the rear. Friday will be a teraflex 1.5inch budget boost. This is all over the course of 5months. I say for people just beginning to modify their jeeps start slow, and build up slow. When I cant make a certain trail/hill/mudpit that is when I think about what I need to modify on it. For example I am planning on snorkeling it and regearing in a few months(feels weak with 235s on it). Just take it one step at a time and you'll be much more successful.

 

[XJBill]

I too busted all 4 upper shock mounts. No biggie, I really did it on purpose. I have helped lift enough of 'em to know that is part of the game. When I did mine I figured they would break so I didn't go easy on them. I have found it's actually easier and takes less time if you just break them, take on air hammer from underneath to bust the welds on the nuts, drill a small hole from underneath up through the cargo floor using the bolt holes as guides, and then drill a larger 1" or so hole (using the small hole I just drilled from below as a guide) from the top only through the sheet metal of the cargo area floor to put a nut and bolt back on. I have gotten calls from people in the Jeep club I belong to asking what to do after they have spent a couple hours trying to get the bolts out with heat and PB blaster and one breaks. I go over to their house and in about a half hour, I have the holes done and the new shocks in.


As for the front vibe, I know it's the front because I removed the front drive shaft and took it for a spin. No vibe. I had a feeling it would happen after seeing the angle on the driveshaft at the front diff.

I wish I would've got 33's instead of the 32's because I want to fill the wheel well more and to have that little extra tire height. With the 32's I have very little trimming. All I had to do was trim about a 1/2" out of the front plastic end caps. That was the only place. I was prepared to do more trimming than that. I want the biggest tire I can get on it without cutting sheet metal and not using longer bump stops to stop the rubbing. I have no problem cutting the plastic fender flares which have about an 1" of space all around before you actually get into sheet metal.

33's would go on your XJ but be prepared to do some trimming or longer bump stops. I know a guy who has 5.5" of lift and he's running 35's. He did major cutting using TJ flares as his fender flares. It basically comes down to if you want to do alot of trimming or not. I would say go with the tire you want and make it work from there.

 

[motrctyman]

Tom, Thanks for the great post. Alot can be learned by this post and its replies. I, too, got "bit" after buying a stock TJ, went wheeling for the first time 2 yrs ago, then proceeded to lift it and putting on 33's. Although it rides and performs great, it became too expensive of a hobby for me. I just sold it and am putting on a BB on a 95 XJ. With mud tires, skids and lockers, I can still have a JEEP than can perform proudly, ride better, and for a third of the cost of the TJ.

 

[TOZOVR]

It comes down to how well you maintain the rig, how much NVH you can put up with and what you're into.

I run amost 6" of lift and 33" LTB's on my daily driver. It works for me. But I am not willing to compromise on the trail as much as some. I wheeled the rig from day one and enjoyed it, but where we were going and amount of Time we spent off road and living out of the XJ demanded a more intense setup...so as to allow a less tense trip in the woods.

Get it?

If my wife or Neighbor had to drive my XJ every day, they'd freak out and explode. I have a high tolerance for things. My XJ is great for me, right now...although the Range Rover keeps tempting me to keep it stock and really modify the XJ!!!!!

Is this rig for you?

Maybe. Maybe not. Do what suits you, and make your face all smiley!

 

[Çrestfa||en]

nice rig tozovr

 

[bchulett]

"If my wife or Neighbor had to drive my XJ every day, they'd freak out and explode. I have a high tolerance for things. My XJ is great for me, right now...although the Range Rover keeps tempting me to keep it stock and really modify the XJ!!!!!"

That pretty much sums this up ... I wouldn't expect anyone to understand, enjoy, tolerate or drive the object of my desire.

And ... I think it's smart to steer clear of lifting the wife's $80K Range Rover.

Can you imagine the domestic disturbance this would cause ??

 

[TOZOVR]

"If my wife or Neighbor had to drive my XJ every day, they'd freak out and explode. I have a high tolerance for things. My XJ is great for me, right now...although the Range Rover keeps tempting me to keep it stock and really modify the XJ!!!!!"

That pretty much sums this up ... I wouldn't expect anyone to understand, enjoy, tolerate or drive the object of my desire.

And ... I think it's smart to steer clear of lifting the wife's $80K Range Rover.

Can you imagine the domestic disturbance this would cause ??

LOL! No, no! The Wife has an '03 montero, the rangie is the new AV4x4 project pig...plan is for one ton running gear and an injected smallblock... :farmer:

 

[pancake]

You buy a lift kit to save yourself the time having to piece eveything together and the money having custom spring and such made. Lift kits DO NOT promise stock handling or reliability - EVER. Sure they strive to attain the best handing possible and people keep coming up with ingenious ways of doing that like drop brackets, long arms, and multi-link suspension. But those are just fixes for what lifting really does to a vehicle - it ruins the stock geometery. I lifted my daily driver. it was a great experience. I tried to do it over a long weekend but I knew I might run into trouble - which I did - and it ended up sitting in the drive way for a week. I planned for that though and I would do it again.

I'm not expecting it to ride like stock...

However, I don't expect to buy a kit then have to install a bunch of other crap to keep the driveshaft from vibrating. The folks who make the kits know this, and when I called...they said it won't vibe until after 4" of lift on my 1998, and that was a well known company. So...either sell a complete kit or don't sell a 1/2 kit to JUST lift the vehicle for a cheaper price to make things APPEAR complete and attractive. It's just marketing...who would honestly pay ~$1,200 for a complete 3" lift on a later model XJ? Not as many as who would pay $400

 

[98XJ]

Re: I had my 98 XJ stock for 3 months.

Then I put ProComp 3in syst, put t-case lowering shims, re-geared for 33 (in future) and drove it like that almost 1.5(with 31 tire) while studying in colledge. Had some vibes, but nothing that could kill t-case or pinion seals/bearings.
Read a lot of stuff on how to go taller. Saved move green and went full throttle on 6in susp frnt rear lockers, 33 tires. a lot of stuff to make it driveable on hwy. It is very much driveable on hwy, up to 90 Mph (a bit scary to wiggle steering wheel at that speed) ....no vibes after I put frnt hub conversion. My truck has never spent more that 2 days in garage....(2 days where i had to do re-gearing) ....
now it has almost 90 K miles....I have stopped throwing money at it....just getting what is needed. (few things left) rockers guards, and somehow get frnt reciever behind frnt (stock) bumper (for removable winch)....I dont want aftermarket stuff (way too expensive) ... and maybe a snorkel....THAT IS IT.
This XJ is my daily driver.....nock on the wood......it still goes strong....

Long story short....
Pit.

 

[tireroastin93XJ]

Re: I had my 98 XJ stock for 3 months.

Then I put ProComp 3in syst, put t-case lowering shims, re-geared for 33 (in future) and drove it like that almost 1.5(with 31 tire) while studying in colledge. Had some vibes, but nothing that could kill t-case or pinion seals/bearings.
Read a lot of stuff on how to go taller. Saved move green and went full throttle on 6in susp frnt rear lockers, 33 tires. a lot of stuff to make it driveable on hwy. It is very much driveable on hwy, up to 90 Mph (a bit scary to wiggle steering wheel at that speed) ....no vibes after I put frnt hub conversion. My truck has never spent more that 2 days in garage....(2 days where i had to do re-gearing) ....
now it has almost 90 K miles....I have stopped throwing money at it....just getting what is needed. (few things left) rockers guards, and somehow get frnt reciever behind frnt (stock) bumper (for removable winch)....I dont want aftermarket stuff (way too expensive) ... and maybe a snorkel....THAT IS IT.
This XJ is my daily driver.....nock on the wood......it still goes strong....

Long story short....
Pit.

Ok, so when I put in the RE 3" superide lift on my 93 XJ, will I have problems with driveline vibes? I know I'll put in a t-case drop and adj trackbar to keep the front end "centered". Most kits say you don't have to worry about vibes unless you go over 3". Is this true or will I have to add other stuff?
Mike

 

[XJBill]

What is this front hub conversion you speak of? Do you have any pics or links to this?

 

[bchulett]

Re: I had my 98 XJ stock for 3 months.

"Read a lot of stuff on how to go taller. Saved move green and went full throttle on 6in susp frnt rear lockers, 33 tires. a lot of stuff to make it driveable on hwy. It is very much driveable on hwy, up to 90 Mph (a bit scary to wiggle steering wheel at that speed)"

How did you figure you were doing 90 ?

The speedo only goes to 85 ... plus I can't imagine an XJ... even in stock trim ... ever being safe to drive at those speeds.

You'd never catch me trying to set land speed records on public highways in a lifted XJ ...

It's borderline suicidal.

 

[TOZOVR]

Re: I had my 98 XJ stock for 3 months.

"Read a lot of stuff on how to go taller. Saved move green and went full throttle on 6in susp frnt rear lockers, 33 tires. a lot of stuff to make it driveable on hwy. It is very much driveable on hwy, up to 90 Mph (a bit scary to wiggle steering wheel at that speed)"

How did you figure you were doing 90 ?

The speedo only goes to 85 ... plus I can't imagine an XJ... even in stock trim ... ever being safe to drive at those speeds.

You'd never catch me trying to set land speed records on public highways in a lifted XJ ...

It's borderline suicidal.

My '99 goes over 100 on the speedo...

 

[Moto]

Ok, you guys are scaring me! My stock 93 XJ rides like crap! I'm pretty sure it needs new springs so I figure I'll kill 2 birds with one stone and do a RE 3" lift. It comes with new lower control arm so I figure that should take care of the front end. I'm also going to get a transfer case drop, for the money, it's good insurance against vibes. The kit comes with the rear brake line and I'll end up getting TJ lines for the front. The kit doesn't come with shocks so I'll most likely get Edelbrock IAS shocks. I'll probably also go with 31X10.50 Trxus MT's for the tires, I really like the ones on my friends CJ-8. From what I've read here, the consensus is that it will improve the ride, hell anything would. I'm new to this and it will be my first lift so what am I getting into? This is my daily driver so what should I expect, am I going to screw it up or help the ride? Also, I'm not clear on the adj trackbar, is it a necessicty with a 3" lift on a 93? Like I said, I'm wanting to improve the ride and make it look good, but I'm getting kinda worried now.

My 98 is my daily driver and I am running the RE4.5 with a SYE and I get a little bit of vibes but only when going over 70mph. If it is your daily driver, I would say plan to take it out of commission for at least 1 day longer than you expect it to take to do the lift, because without a doubt, you will always run into something unexpected. I did my lift and tires from 6pm to 6am in one night, and was very fortunate that the shop I work at has a full room of misc hardware and that I am well set up with tools because of course things didnt go perfectly smooth and I ran into a couple snags that were easily fixed, but preparedness is the key to lifting it, always plan for the unexpected. Aside from that, after the alignment, which you WILL need, my DD now drives me 50+ miles a day and works fine. When I say it works fine doesnt mean it drives like stock, yeah it sqeaks a bit here and there, and I get a little bit more of a rumble in 4H than I used to at stock hight, but it is all manageable it all is just a matter of what you are willing to put up with, its the same way with tires, guys like Tozovr can deal with running Bias Ply swampers on thier DD while some other people can't stand anything but BFG At's on the road.
As for the trac-bar the RE hd trackbar is a huge improvement, not only because it will center your axle but it gives you a whole new bracket that is much stronger and heavy duty than your stock one, a 3inch lift and 31's with no adjustable track bar your axle will no longer be centered and you will probably have 1 tire that will rub while making sharp turns. I run the 31's TRxus and can still get them to rub with 4.5 of lift at full flex or during a really tight turn.

 

[bchulett]

Re: I had my 98 XJ stock for 3 months.

My '99 goes over 100 on the speedo...

DC must have made the newer XJ's faster ... my '91 only goes 85.

Must be those new aerodynamic bumpers and side pods ...


At those speeds I wonder if you get more lift ?

 

[bchulett]

>>>> 3inch lift and 31's with no adjustable track bar your axle will no longer be centered and you will probably have 1 tire that will rub while making sharp turns. <<<<<

Are you sure about that ??

I had a Rancho 3" lift and 31's on for 8 years with the stock track bar ... the only thing the tires rubbed at full lock were the control arms.

You'd think the thing would dogwalk and couldn't be aligned properly if the front axle was off center.

 

[Hunter-LynchburgVa]

it all comes down to devotion that turns into life choices for some people. face it some people are wheelers, some people want to be, and some people arent. just like some people are travelers, paddlers, potheads, and posers. such as in life all together its about how well you as a person handles adversity. i know im a life'r

Hunter

 

[TOZOVR]

it all comes down to devotion that turns into life choices for some people. face it some people are wheelers, some people want to be, and some people arent. just like some people are travelers, paddlers, potheads, and posers. such as in life all together its about how well you as a person handles adversity. i know im a life'r

Hunter

There you go. Well said.