new member...lift/sye question..

[98classic]

Hi y'all. im new here. my name is rick, and i bought a 98 classic recently. i want to lift it 4.5 inches, but will probably only go for 3 inches, as i'm a poor college student. my question is this: i've heard from many people that even if i lift it just slightly (like 2 inches or more) i will need a slip yoke eliminator, because it is newer than a 97. I have also heard that you only need one of those for lifts like 4.5 inches and up. If i get a 3 inch lift (probably rusty's....advice on others would be great too), do i have to spend an extra couple hundred dollars on that sye? if that is the case, i cannot afford to lift it. thanks for any advice.

rick

 

[RTicUL8]

Welcome Rick

Some people, like myself, have added a 3" lift with no SYE and have had no problems. I only had to replace the u-joint because it was old and started vibrating. However, I am pretty sure that 3" is the most you would want to go without getting a lot more expensive.
Higher than 3" would require a SYE, extended brake lines, t-case drop, possible extended drive shaft, new gears for larger tires, etc.

Good luck...

 

[xElwayj]

I have a 99 XJ Classic with a 3.5" lift. Mine has the Chrysler 8.25 rearend which has a tendency to add to the driveline vibes due to it's angle. I get the vibes during deceleration at around 35 mph. With a later model XJ I would tell you to eventually go with a SYE Kit and CV driveshaft. I'm getting sick of listening to the vibes and have purchased Advanced Adapters SYE kit. Now just waiting to purchase the CV shaft (Tom Woods) and get it installed. I also have 4 degree shims that will go on the rear spring packs to correct the pinion. Best lift for the dollar is Rubicon Express. (my opinion of course) Good luck -Chris

 

[LawlessXJ]

I put Rusty's 3" on my '97 about 40k miles ago and the only additional thing I needed was a 1" t-case drop that I made my self for pennies to cure some minor vibes.... go for it.

 

[Barger]

Rusty's 3" AAL on mine No SYE I needed 1" T-case drop.
I'm at 60k+ I have no complaints kit has been great all around.

Barger

 

[98classic]

cool. thanks for the info guys. do any of you 97+ guys have pics i can see with the 3-3.5 inches of lift? thanks.
rick

 

[woody]

Every Jeep is a little different in regard to vibes.

I have an 89 that at some point a previous owner swapped on a mid-90s 8.25" with 1" TC drop kit. I put on a 3" aal and new UJs in the DS and it had some vibes on the road - sort a "drone" at about 55-60. Faster or slower than that was smooth as an old Jeep on 33" MTs could be. I probably could have shimmed it out, but knew that low lift height was temporary.

Recently swapped in a 6" used rusty's 4.5"(?) pack with extra leaf added...probably at 5.5" or 6" in the back now. New SOA spring pads were welded on at the 'factory MJ SUA' angle, and the springs have a 'kick-up' that help too...

It has worse vibes than before (at 45-35 decelleration) but I am still running the 1 yr old UJs in the shaft and no SYE (I do have a YJ wrangler slipyoke, but that wont help angles, it's just a little longer with a more open yoke to allow clearance at deeper droop)

It seems that 97+ are more sensitive to lifts & vibrations (or it may be that the OWNERS of these newer Jeeps are more attuned to driveability changes than us old Junky Jeep Owners?)

Like stated above, a TC drop is pretty cheap ($10 or less) basically 1" longer bolts and spacers. I dunno If I'd reccomend washers -LOL I'd do it - but with two 1/2" spacers per bolt, you could try a 1/2" drop then a 1" drop to 'tune' it. The less drop you can get by with, the better it is for ground clearance.

Also I'd advise swapping in new driveshaft U-joints for sure... a 98 is now 5-6 years old(?) $25-30 bucks is cheap insurance and you'd hate to cuss a new vibe & blame it on your new lift if only from a marginal - unserviced common driveline part.

HTH/FWIW: I expanded my MJ lift from 3" to 4.75" in front with nothing but coil spacers and SOA'd the rear axle (shims) and freshened up the UJs all around. Thats when I added the YJ slipyoke

 

[RCP Phx]

Two thoughts here, the 97+ is "definately" more prone to vibes and a transfer case drop is a heck of a waist of your lift kit money.Thats the worst possible place to lose clearance.You should at least be prepared to buy a SYE if youre going to lift a 97+.Technically all Jeeps need an SYE(of the HD type) and there is no such thing as "minor or tolerable vibes".

 

[LawlessXJ]

I've got a 5.5" RE lift along with an SYE in the garage waiting for some free time to do the install. Lifting a vehicle has basically one purpose.... to accomodate bigger tires. At 2" or 9" your going to, at some point in your wheeling career, run over obsticles that crunch something under your rig. Whether your t-case has a 1" drop or is in the stock position you better have the proper armor to protect all of the vital areas.

At around 3" an SYE and new CV driveshaft would be fabulous but its not critical. I'd spend the minimal $ on dropping the t-case one inch or shimming the axle if needed and spend all that extra cash on armor and a ruler to measure those pointy rocks. Get an SYE when you go bigger... and you will eventually go bigger

 

[Barger]

I put a couple pics up in the picture forum not the greatest but you'll get an idea.
Bargeratriot:

 

[98classic]

hey ya'll. i appreciate all the input. as i make some money this summer, i've decided to go ahead with the rustys 3 inch lift. if i make enough extra play money, i'll go for the sye, but if not, i'll drop the tc and get some skid plates made for it.

btw barger...nice xj

thanks again yall,
rick

 

[crazy4mopar]

I have an 89 with a 3 1/2" RE lift and 1.5 lift shackles no vibes, no binding.