redrockphil
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- slc utah
I will be installing a 3.5" Rough Country kit, I was wondering if I need the tranny drop kit also. And why exactly is it neccesary?
tranny drop neccesary?
- Thread starter redrockphil
- Start date
XJWheelie
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Murfreesboro, TN
My XJ has a 2 1/2" lift that hasn't experienced any problems without a tranny drop. But since you started a thread that caught my interest I hope you don't mind if I butt in with a question. Is there any advantage to dropping the tranny 1 inch? My Skid Row t-case skid plate is set-up for a 1" drop; that's why I'm wondering.
Robert
Robert
SV1CEC
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Athens, Greece
The transfer case drop down kits are a way to reduce the angle at which the rear driveshaft operates, after a lift is installed. Another method is to use shims (or a combination of both) to reduce possible vibrations which are due to the increased angles and which can manifest themselves when an XJ is lifted.
There is no straight-cut answer to the "Would I need it?" question. Earlier XJs are less prone to driveshaft vibrations than newer ones, so my suggestion is to put on your lift and see if you get any vibrations. If yes, some shims under your rear springs might be enough to fix it. Remember, you are lifting your truck to gain ground clearence, so reducing it by using a transfer case drop down kit is not ideal.
As for those cross-members which include a drop-down functionality, what they try to achieve, is a drop-down without reducing ground clearence. So it is a better alternative to a drop-down kit, since they usually are also stronger than the original cross-member.
The most correct way to cancel those driveshaft vibrations, by the way, if they appear, is to use a Slip Yoke Eliminator kit and a new, double-cardan rear driveshaft. I do not have it yet, since I do not have any vibrations with my current setup, but the general opinion is that you cannot avoid it, if you go higher than 3-4.5", since your transfer case would suffer in the long run.
I hope this answers your questions.
There is no straight-cut answer to the "Would I need it?" question. Earlier XJs are less prone to driveshaft vibrations than newer ones, so my suggestion is to put on your lift and see if you get any vibrations. If yes, some shims under your rear springs might be enough to fix it. Remember, you are lifting your truck to gain ground clearence, so reducing it by using a transfer case drop down kit is not ideal.
As for those cross-members which include a drop-down functionality, what they try to achieve, is a drop-down without reducing ground clearence. So it is a better alternative to a drop-down kit, since they usually are also stronger than the original cross-member.
The most correct way to cancel those driveshaft vibrations, by the way, if they appear, is to use a Slip Yoke Eliminator kit and a new, double-cardan rear driveshaft. I do not have it yet, since I do not have any vibrations with my current setup, but the general opinion is that you cannot avoid it, if you go higher than 3-4.5", since your transfer case would suffer in the long run.
I hope this answers your questions.
redrockphil
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- slc utah
Thank you. I also spoke with Rough Country and they pretty much said the same thing. So, I guess I'll have to see.
redrockphil
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- slc utah
Well, the kip should be on soon. I just installed my new 30x9.50 MTR's. The rubbed a bit, not too bad. I took the saw to the inside of the fender and trimmed. Now its all good, at least for regular city driving. I wont go wheel till I get the lift on.
