XJ owners pleas help! Brady's 99 XJ build... getting started

[RedRocketXJ]

Gona start with a lift... i dont know how much brand name matters. heres two that ive been looking at and let me know if anyone has any ideas outside of these... the goal is a capable rig that will still be a daily driver (just short drive to and from work) w at least a 4.5" lift and after the lift 32-33" tires. first step is the lift. id like to do the lift for under 1300 for everything. i know the kits say they include everything i need but what other costs am i going to run into? also i want something that i can upgrade down the road. Thanks everyone and i cant wait to learn a ton from everyone

RE 4.5
http://www.4wheelerssupply.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/1644?osCsid=bd7f06b00aebc7058b2ac57a7fc3fa46


rough country 6.5
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_6x.html

[Metal Twister]

and yet another option...  http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=RK-605SP-XJ&Category_Code=sus_xj_kit

[Chief Gunner]

I am a believer in keeping things simple.  No need to re-envent the wheel so to speak.  With that said, talk with 99XJ.  His Jeep is simple, low key, but it works and works well.  I always love watching him wheel cause he makes it look simple.  Sure there is driving skill involved, but when you have a well build rig, it makes the skill shine even more.  If you want a simple well build rig, that is the man to ask.  Just my two cents.  Whatever lift you do go with, I am here to help if you need or want help. 

[84socal]

we did the 4.5 re lift om my btrothers years ago  before he sold it  kit went  on easy  and worked awesome
i personally wouldnt go higher than 4.5   just to keep the cg low   and stable     u could easily fit 35s with some fender trimming   

[SNOTROCKET]

fender trimming has already been done. we would like to fit a 33" tire underneath. most likely a bfg mt. but im gonna try and convince him to go with the 35: because its actually cheaper than a 33". if that is the type of tire he wants.

[samfordscout2]

i would stay away from the rough country...the shocks suck and your pretty much paying for the name instead of a well built lift kit....i would go with rusty's kit all the way...for tires they dont make the regular bfg muds anymore u  have to get the KM2s
other things not included with the lift is:
extended brake lines
driveshafts (if needed)
not all of them come with shocks
a new adjustable track bar for the front
leaf springs shims for the rear (if you dont have the right shims, you might get some bad vibations)
and if your going with 35's i would upgrade the steering as well as both axles....35's will result in an exploded front Dana 30
i would say 44's front and rear would be safe....the chyrsler rearend is crap..it wont take the stress
you can get dana 44's that bolt right in....some cherokees came with a dana 44 in the rear..just make sure you dont get the d44a
the "a" means aluminum...its a weaker housing then a normal 44
your front suspension is the same as a jeep tj so if you can find a 44 front out of a jeep it should bolt right up
this is just my opinion..i owned a grand cherokee and went through the same problems
i think in the long run the 35's are going to be more expensive...the stock axles will be able to handle 33's a lot better

[RedRocketXJ]

thanks everyone... i think im going with the RE 4.5".   Next paycheck wooo hooo !!!! im going to do a little more reseach to determine which shocks i should get. also going to do the SYE.   i thought of another issue... id like to get the tire off the roof. does anyone know if theres a way to mount the spare on the rear end without spending a ton on a new bumper? i wont be able to fit under my parking structure with a lift and the tire on the roof

[BrandonTJ]

Last Jeep was an 88 and it had a body-mounted tire carrier. Don't know if that was stock or what, but it was a swing-away and always seemed very sturdy to me.

Just did a search and can't find one, but bet it's out there.

[SNOTROCKET]

im excited. i cant wait to tear your heep apart.

[SNOTROCKET]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/pts/1590032715.html

check this out for tires. pretty sure its kevin (calcat) he was the one came with us up pancake rock.

great tires and there is quite a bit of tread on them.

[-96jeepspeed-]

I have RE 5.5 kit. works pretty good, and rides nice. I have wheeling my XJ for about 5 years and know just about everything to know about them.
35s with fender trimming.

[RedRocketXJ]

Im waiting on a call back on a USED RE 5.5" lift kit, SYE, and high steer. if i get a call back (fingers crossed) what do i need to look for since its used?

[hurleyup]

PM sent

[RedRocketXJ]

going with the RE 5.5 LA with 33's. My question is what size shock should i go with? 4.5-5.5 for more uptravel or 5.5-7.5 for more droop?

[RedRocketXJ]

....oh and the fenders are trimmed. a lot in the front and about 2 .5 in in the rear.  I dont really know if that makes a difference when choosing a shock.  Thanks for any help!!!

[SNOTROCKET]

so he's not going to sell you the shocks? ask him what size he used. or how much travel is in the fox shocks he has on the jeep and just get shocks the same size. i would say a shock in the general 14-16 inch travel range ought to be good.

[XJRated]

Measuring your shocks is very important.  go to Doetsch tec and they build your shocks, competitve prices and the shop is in El Cajon.  I have some bad ass 2.0's  and they were very helpful matching me up with exactly what I needed.

[99xj]

Chief,
Thanks for the complements.

RedRocketXJ................What ever lift you go with just be sure you go with full rear leaf packs! Don't use an add-A-leaf!!  You are welcome to come over and look at my Cherokee any time. I've been through a couple different lifts so I can tell you what works and what won't.
I'm running Doetsch 2.2 shock with reservoir's and they are great.  I have a pair of 10" rears that are new never installed for sale.


Send me a PM or post up if you have any questions.

I am a believer in keeping things simple.  No need to re-envent the wheel so to speak.  With that said, talk with 99XJ.  His Jeep is simple, low key, but it works and works well.  I always love watching him wheel cause he makes it look simple.  Sure there is driving skill involved, but when you have a well build rig, it makes the skill shine even more.  If you want a simple well build rig, that is the man to ask.  Just my two cents.  Whatever lift you do go with, I am here to help if you need or want help. 

[RedRocketXJ]

 :thanks:thanks for the good advice! and i might take you up on the visit to see your rig (and a chance for another XJ owner to show me all that i need to do with mine) just waiting on my tax return and ill order the lift................ in the mean time I was wondering if anyone has ever mounted a hi-lift to a yakama roof rack. i cant seem to find anything that they make for it. plus i think it would be overpriced anyway. i bet a $20 trip to home depot would do it i just need an idea of how to go about it. has anyone ever seen something that would work?

[SNOTROCKET]

im sure if you brought yout rig and the hi lift over we could find a way to make it stay put.