opinon's on 8" lift...

brandyn24

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Princeton, TX
I am wanting to get a 8" lift kit for my 99' XJ, BUT every time I turn around someone is saying that it is a bad idea, that it is to much lift for an XJ. I'm wanting a lift this big b/c I want to clear 36's or 37's easy. I dont play on the rocks much at all, I am all about the MUD. I have wanted the 6.5" long arm kit for the longest time but now that I am aware of this 8" lift I want it. GO BIG OR GO HOME RIGHT. want is the pro's an con's between the 6.5 lift to the 8" lift other than the COG. I know thats a BIG issue but once again im not into the rocks I like being in a mud pit on flat ground. Can ya'll please post pictures of what your running ( 6.5" or 8" ) an one thing you like most bout the lift and one thing you dislike most bout the lift. Thanks guys.

This is my MUD PUPPY
liljepjep4.jpg


muddinpic1.jpg
 
You can easily clear 36's or 37's with the 6.5 inch kit. I am on 36's and 6 inches and I wheel mine hard. If you have your fenders trimmed there really is no need for that much lift. However, if that is what you want then I say go for it! It all about what you want, not what everyone else wants. You absolutely 100% will need an SYE and new rear drive shaft if you haven't already gotten one.
 
Yeah i do plan on getting a SYE an new drive shaft, i also considered doing a full upgrade on the steering. I'm just not sure what all will need to be done with a lift this big, 6.5" or the 8". All i pretty much know is i am going to need new gears which i planed on 4:10's or 4:11's. It will still be my daily driver an i thought 4:56's would be to much. I am curntly running 3" pro comp lift on 31's.
 
If you are going to spend the coin on new gears, and the install I would go 4.56's. You will like them A LOT better than 4.10's on the highway.
 
On 36's, you will be able to go as fast as you want with 4.56's. With 4.10's on 36's your jeep will constantly be wanting to downshift. With 4.56's it will feel alot like stock gearing, so it will not limit your top end. The fact that you drive a box on wheels (35 or 36 inch wheels), will limit your top end however. LOL
 
My jeep will still run 70 just fine, and it gets there pretty darn quick even! I would say top end on it would probably be about 90-95 if you had the balls to actually take it there. LOL BTW.... it got much better gas mileage with 4.56's than it does with 4.10's as well.
 
oooh ok i gotcha. well the next ? would be should i go with the 6.5. and other than gears an SYE what should be on my agenda to upgrade get it in the right rut, if you know what i mean. i wanna make sure i'm gonna be able to wheel it an not be worried bout anything other than the usual. i'm not a hard wheeler but when i do wheel i have a lil saying. EASE IN, THEN BALLS TO THE WALL. LOL
 
steering will need a new setup either way 6.5 or 8. i can build you a crossover kit with or with out brackets to bolt to the hub.

with a 6.5 you can still run a front drive shaft in the rear with the 8 im not sure.

i say if your spendin the money but the 4.56's.

also if you want to contact me i can do a long arm kit for about $800 includes upper and lower arms bushings on one ends and big heavy duty heims on the other and a bolt in crossmember with the long arm mount built into it for the 6.5" lift.

somethin else to think about especially on a DD on a 6.5" lift your close to havin prob with pinion angle and caster angle. now with a 8" lift you may be to high and have to rotate you inner C's to get proper caster/pinion angles. might be somethin you dont want to get into.
 
you have ALOT of research to do

with 37s its time for axles. niether of your axles will handle them. and i would say atleast 5.13s 5.38s prefferred.

The amount of lift is up to you, but 6" of lift and 37s is absolutly doable without "hacking"
 
OMG its like chris all over again lol....


do you want to put a glass bottom in it too?

man i havent seen princeton in forever....i used to live across the street from the place that top pic is shot at....i assume thats right next to bel air's
 
My fiancee is running 35's on a 9" lift...and it's a bit tippy. She's also running 4.10's and if I were in charge of her XJ and money, she'd opt for 4.88's or 4.56 at the least.

From what I understand about playing in the mud, you want to keep the revs high and the tires moving, so you might want to research the gearing.

You also might, based on what you said you want to do, spend some time on mods to the power plant. Stroker?
 
I love my XJ, but if I wanted to play in the mud. I would sell it and get something else (solid frame and leaf sprung). Too much $$ to get it setup properly on an XJ. IMHO.
 
if you're looking for pics check out cardomain.com or myjeepspace.com. best place for pics out there. other than our lovely website OF COURSE!!
 
Im running 36's with 4.56's (D44 and 9in) about 7 in of lift and lots of fender trimming.
 
Back
Top