Old man emu build for the college kid

[gtpolkus]

So I've finally talked myself into spending the money to put my jeep into the air a little bit. I've got a 99' classic with 65,000 miles. Here's my thought

The rear springs have settled ~1.5" and I'm usually hauling alot of gear or friends around so I want to replace the rear packs. I've settled on Old Man Emu springs and shocks all the way around because I can choose my spring rate and have a modest amount of lift.(and it will be done right the first time) Will the 2" kit give me clearance for a 31" bfg a/t? Is buying new wheels with the different backspacing needed? I've found pictures of 31's with a budget boost but can't seem to find many pics of installed ome gear. Spending an additional $500 on a sye and fixed yoke drive shaft is out of the budget. This is what's keeping me from the RE kits...

I am a college student so the jeep needs to get me to school and back every day and make the 350 mile trip home for breaks. I would like better off road performace as when it's not snowing (Which doesn't happen too often in Houghton, MI) out I'm in the woods playing around. I see re-gearing to 4.10's highly probable to give my transmission and crappy gas mileage some help

I don't see a inchits as being a problem...I want a better ride, better off road performace, and a better look. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated!


-Greg

 

[wrecked]

I've got the 3" OME kit. I've had it on for about 8-9 months now, maybe more and the leafs haven't sagged at all. Its pretty nice. I'm running the OME nitro charger shocks all around as well.

This picture is with Futura A/T 31x10.5 I dont know the backspacing on the wheels, but it looks like its about what stock was.

This picture is with a Wildcat EXT 31x11.5 on a wheel with alot less backspacing. The 3" kit gives you a good amount of clearance, but not tons as you can see with the EXT's they are actually larger around and wider. I run stock bumpstops and my tires stuff with about 2-3mm of clearance. I dont think I would try to get a 31" on there with the 2 inch kit.

You may want to get a couple of small spacers and whatnot for the front springs because as you can see, my front sits a little low.

 

[Eagle]

With a 99, a 2" lift will not allow you to run 31s in the rear unless you extend the bump stops so far that you'll have no suspension compression. Wheels with less backspacing than stock will be worse, not better, because they'll move the tires out to where they hit the sheet metal more.

Run 30s, or to for a 3-1/2" lift

 

[Fergie]

I would go with this set-up:

Stock coils in front with a 1.75" spacer. Stock packs with an RE shackle and OME JCXL AAL.

Either way you choose, you cant go wrong with OME aprings and shocks all around. It'll ride like a caddy.

Fergie

 

[gtpolkus]

I'm all for it being cheaper! I'm not too fond of AAL's, have you run the OME aal's before? The cadillac ride is another thing I'm going for too....

 

[Fergie]

The OME AAL is different from others in that it is specifically designed for the XJ.

I run the OME AAL in mine with an RE shackle for about 1.75-2" of lift and the ride is awesome. I also put my rear swaybar back on as I wont be tkaing this vehicle offroad that mcuh.

Fergie