xj lift question

[truejdm]

i was looking at an xj lift on ebay and i saw a 4.5 lift. if i was to do that, what else would need to be done to the jeep it self? would i have to extend anything at all? or just put it on and drive?

Thanks guys.

[xj42]

Link to the kit you are referring to.  What year XJ are you talking about, some were more prone to vibes than others.

[truejdm]

i called a place called johns 4x4 and he has a 4.5" lift by skyjacker. its a 94 xj. do i have to get the different driveshaft and yoke eliminator?

[TanYJ]

John's won't steer you wrong.  A SYE & CV shaft is about the best way to eliminate vibes on a lifted Heep.  You don't have to do it that way, as most of the boxed kits come with a tranny drop kit (at least they do with Wranglers).  Good luck.

[xj42]

The earlier XJs had a longer tail shaft housing that helped prevent vibes, not sure of the years.  You may be able to get by with a t-case drop, every Jeep is different though.  I had vibes from 15 to 40 after I installed my lift, a week later I installed the SYE and moved the front drive shaft to the rear, and then picked up another for the front at a salvage yard.  Like tanyj said, it's the best way to go.

[truejdm]

i plan on putting 35's on it, what lift do you guys think i should go with and how much of a body lift?

[YJ_Aaron]

You can't do a body lift on an XJ man.  They body/frame are integrated as 1 piece. 

Do you want to wheel the jeep (need room for compression), and do you want to trim sheet metal?

[truejdm]

not so much rocks but mostly mud and some stuff on trails, my buddy says he has done a body lift to a few xj's?

[YJ_Aaron]

Well go look under your XJ and see if you can find body mounts to lift or have your buddy show them to you.  Do a search and you'll find that no one sells body lifts for XJ's. 

[truejdm]

well in that case, is there a good 6.5 - 7" lift that you all would suggest?

[xj42]

Yeah, no body lift for the XJ.  He might be talking about a budget boost.
If you want 35's with 4.5" of lift you will need to trim your fenders and bumpstop accordingly.
I rubbed with 33's on 4.5" just turning, I bumpstoped the rear until I decide to trim it.

[xj42]

well in that case, is there a good 6.5 - 7" lift that you all would suggest?

How much do want to spend?

[truejdm]

with everything i really need to make it work... trying to stay under the 1000 dollar mark.

[map93heep]

XJ are unibody and will not have body mounts. 97 and newer have the short tail shaft and can use a hack and tap sye. 96 and older will need to have the shaft kit installed. As far as installing a 4.5 lift, you will need longer brake lines if not provide with kit. Adjustible trackbar and shims for rear leafsprings for proper driveshaft angle.

[map93heep]

instead of sye or a 1 inch block drop. Rusty's sell a trans crossmember with the 1 inch drop built into it. That what I installed on mine and it works great, still have good ground clearance and its build to last. It runs 110.00 bucks. Its good buy for the money.