4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/lift kit extras

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Expert: - 7/12/2006


Question
i have a cherokee 98 xj that i want to lift. but am conserned that ill have to buy more stuff than what a normal lift kit offers. eg. steering bars. cause i figured that since the drive train is not lifted only a body lift then all that connects the body to the drive train must become longer. thats if the lift kit for the xj lifts only the body. so what more do i have to buy other than the lift kit package.  

Answer
Sherif,

Sorry this is getting to you so late.  I actually sent a response, but it looks like it didn't get posted.

I would suggest that you purchase a couple of 4x4 magazines, such as JP, or 4-Wheel Drive, and check out the ads.  Many lift kits will include everything you need, such as shocks, drop pitman arm, transfer case lowering kit, etc.

The amount of extras that you may have to install, is based on the type of lift, and how high the lift is that you purchase.  A true suspension lift kit lifts everything but the differentials, therefore the components that need to be installed are longer brake lines, a drop pitman arm for the steering, and depending on how high your lift is, longer drive lines.

You can contact some of the companies that sell the size lift you want, and ask them how complete their kit is, and what modifications you may need to make with their lift.

The size tires you wish to run will govern the size lift that you will need.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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