XJ Lift Advice Needed

[Dirt Claude]

My boss's son is turning sixteen at the end of this month and he wants to surprise him with a lift kit for his 91' Cherokee XJ. He's clueless when it comes to cars, so I offered to help him pick out a kit and get it installed.

Budget is under $500, 2"-3" lift, will probably run 31" tires. I suspect this XJ will see minimal offroad action and is being lifted primarily to look cool.

After doing some brief research it sounds like running a 2" lift wouldn't affect anything mechanical whereas a 3" lift might cause some driveline vibrations, which should be resolved by a TCase drop kit.

Anyone have any kits or vendors they would recommend? The market is flooded with Jeep stuff and I'm not familiar with what works and what doesn't.

How about Rustys Offroad:
http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-suspension/jeep-suspension-lift-kits/xj-cherokee-84-01-jeep-suspension-lift-kits

Or Rough Country:
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_suspension_lift_kits.html

Thanks in advance!

[Serious Offroad]

I'll gladly provide some links if you like.

[xaza]

For running 31" tires, will need to be some fender trimming with a budget lift. I still rub with 31's with a 3.5 inch lift(10 yrs old and sagging a bit) and a 2 inch longer shackle/spacer. Backspacing on the rim is important too. Mine is pushed pretty far out, which causes my rub. Backspacing can be adjusted by replacing rim or buying wheel spacers. I love my rubicon express lift.

[Clutch211]

Yeah pretty much right on with that! We did a 3.5 on mello yellows jeep and back spacing, and axle shims and she runs like a champ. The RUBICON EXPRESS kit is the one we put on his jeep.

[Dirt Claude]

I'll gladly provide some links if you like.

You bet!

[Dirt Claude]

So could we get away with a 2-3" lift and still run 31's or is it best to bump up to a 3.5" lift?

[Brody]

I had a 1991 Cherokee with a very basic (coil bump extenders, longer shocks, and shackles) and was running 32"s. It did everything I wanted it to do, was a very quick and easy to install lift, and very cheap. Like most Jeeps, you get into the 3.5 and up lifts, then you have to start thinking big bucks to straighten out all the steering geometry.

There are also a lot of ways to junkyard lifts for these with different stock springs (coils) for the front and tweaking the rear spring pack, if you want to go higher. along the same lines, you can usually find smaller lift kits for sale on craigslist where someone has simply gone to a higher lift and taken off a good after market one.

[Serious Offroad]

You bet!

The least expensive RE kit is the RE6160. (http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=419_420_1172_1176&products_id=86102)
The down side is the short add-a-leaf.
For a new wheeler this is a great option for getting a few inches of lift to clear a slightly taller than stock tire.
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.com/images/Large/Normal/RE6160.jpg

The next one in line would be a 3.5" SuperRide Kit. (http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=419_420_1172_1176&products_id=86097)
Plenty of room for 31" tires, but shocks (http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=419_420_1190_1367_1368&products_id=88086) are not included.
The instructions tell you to re-drill the lower track bar mount, but I'm in favor of installing an adjustable trackbar. (http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=419_420_1190_1481&products_id=90166)
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.com/images/Large/Normal/RE6020.jpg

If you'd rather piece together a lift;
RE Components (http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=419_420_1190)

[otisdog]

Definitely get an adjustable trackbar if you go with the RE lift. Much better than the drill thing.
Jim

[Dirt Claude]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll pass along the information and let him decide which route he wants to go.