My 2000xj went back to stock today

[tireroastin93XJ]

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.

You mentioned getting more of a rumble in 4H with the lift, will a 3" lift hurt the transfer case any?

 

[mattb]

I may be alone here, but I had good luck installing my "kit" 3" lift for my 96XJ. I had never done work on my XJ before and I installed this kit on the only DD my wife and I had. I drove it offroad (alot) and often at highway speeds >70mph with 31's, no SYE, no new CAs, and no Adjustable trackbar. My only problem was a bout of death wobble which was cured by new bushings and a new stearing stabilizer. Also the 31s did rub at full lock.

My two pieces of advice would be:

Have plenty of tools available. I used everything from a screwdriver to a welder and oxy/acc torch.

Have a real goal. If you're lifting just to make it look better you'll probably be disappointed in the ride. I know my wife was much more motivated to help (and tolerable of the result) when I told her we were doing it so next time we had to go through this or that ditch she wouldn't have to get out and help push.

Matt

PS. Over the corse of 2 years I have added or built all the nice extras like adjustable track bar, new control arms, and new bumpstops.

 

[Kejtar]

I know my wife was much more motivated to help (and tolerable of the result) when I told her we were doing it so next time we had to go through this or that ditch she wouldn't have to get out and help push.

Good one

 

[philsxj]

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

Very well said....... just wish I said it......

 

[98XJ]

Re: Never had DW or any problems with steering

Except whe I installed famous Rustys steering conversion...Steering was not even close to what I have expected....Lots of play (dead spot where drag and tierod links meet) plus...I would never install anything other then (reinforced of course) OEM steering components on my truck - EVER!!!
Just like tune up and replcement(such as seals, brk hardware etc.) parts ---- never aftermarket---OEM ONLY!!!!
ONLY IF IT YOUR DAILY RIDE, if you have a trail rig - it doesnt matter....
my .02$
Pit...

 

[Moto]

You mentioned getting more of a rumble in 4H with the lift, will a 3" lift hurt the transfer case any?

It should not hurt the transfer case any, as long as you make sure your driveshaft angles are acceptable. Just remember it doesnt seem as though any 2 Jeeps are exactly the same. Which is why some people are able to run lifts with no SYE or tracbar mods and some people arent. You could go ahead and try the 3inch lift and if you find as though your axle is off center and you do not like how your Jeep is performing you can always upgrade later to the tracbar. Driveline vibes are a bit more serious, but can be dealt with by making sure that the proper angles are achieved on your Dshafts. I say go for it, 3inches isnt insanely high, and if you have any issues there are plenty of people on here that are willing to help you work out any bugs that you may come across.

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.

I can't promise that it will rub, only thing that I know is that with the 4.5 while flexing out all the way or when flexed out a bit on the suspension and making a tight turn I can get mine to rub. No 2 Jeeps are the same, I am only basing the info on what I have seen on my own vehicle.

 

[mars00XJ]

What a thread... I have a 2000 as well and plan on lifting it up to 5" or 6". I am new at this, since May 2003, but I am going to take it slow. Right now I have a Tera Flex 2" BB on it and have not felt any vibes, yet. It has been on since July and I plan on wheeling like this for a while. It is my DD and I want it to be my DD after the major lift, so I am taking it slow and doing it right. Thanks for the good info.

 

[rcnerd]

Budget Xj lift kit

4 new shocks
Yj rear brake hose
aftermarket front lift springs
RE trac bar
Front brake hoses (longer) from auto parts store
Weld in a piece of pipe to extend front swaybar links (or JKS quicker discon)
s-10 or Dakota leafs bastard pack on Xj maihn leaf
need new u bolts
2 hockey pucks per side for front lower bumpstops
block of plastic (*nylon, rubber, aluminum) between rear bumpstop and &frame
Lift blocks/shims to level/adj R pinion angle (max 1 inch)
Lower TC 1 inch with longer bolts and aluminum block

All can be done for less than $500 and is a great starting point
No real fabbing Req'd

Ok I am ready to get flamed now...

:compwork:

 

[RCman]

Ok I am ready to get flamed now...

:compwork:

Yes you are... this post is three years old! :doh:

 

[xjaddiction]

Yes it's true, if your not willing to work on your own stuff, or spend big bucks for someone else to do the work.... Don't lift it. A DD requires attention to detail, and lots of adjustments to get it right. I spent two years and about $10,000 above purchase price to get my DD perfect, in my book. Once it was there though, I drove, and wheeled it for three years with minimal up-keep.

I loved it, but was glad to see it go when I sold it. The MJ is a budget build that handles road driving well, but then again I don't have to drive it every day. My DD is now a Yota LC ( I found Arya over there too). Did you know some of the 80's came with selectable electric lockers front and rear? And, you can put 33x12:50's on them with no lift and no rubbing?...