Undo 2'' Lift

[bobbyv]

Our 2001 Cherokee has a 2'' Terraflex budget lift. Spacers in front and longer schackles in the rear. My short wife is finding it harder to get in and out and we don't do any hard core offroading. Was thinking about undoing the lift and putting on stock tires to lower the jeep. I'm fairly mechanically inclined and would like to do this myself if possible, or have it done. How hard a job is this? It also has a transfer case lowering kit. Thanks

[prerunner1982]

Should be pretty easy. Jack up the front of the Cherokee, support the "frame" on jack stands, take off the front tires and lower the front axle down. Use coil spring compressors and then remove the spacers.

For the rear, depending on how long the lift has been on the shackle bolts may be stuck on there pretty good and it is usually recommended to spray them with PB Blaster a couple of days leading up to removing them. You will need to support the XJ "frame" on jack stands. Use a couple of floor jacks below the axle to help take the weight off the springs. Unbolt the shackles and remove.

For the tcase drop you should just be able to support the tcase and unbolt the spacers and reinstall.

And then you can get on here and sell the parts you took off.

[Mudderoy]

I'm surprised someone put a transfer case lowering kit on a 2" lift. Yep everything should come off pretty easy, however you will need shorter bolts for the crossmember since the ones on there now are longer because of the drop.

You may be able to do some trading on Craigslist to swap those leaves with someone that has stock and wants a mild lift.

[bobbyv]

Thanks prerunner1982, and Mudderoy. Doesn't sound like too much work. Not sure if I'll try it myself or have a shop do it. Either way I will try and sell the used parts. Appreciate the help.

[Mudderoy]

Thanks prerunner1982, and Mudderoy. Doesn't sound like too much work. Not sure if I'll try it myself or have a shop do it. Either way I will try and sell the used parts. Appreciate the help.

Yep the bolts holding the leaf springs on will the the toughest part. Those bolts have a tendency to get "welded" in the areas of the country where they put salt on the ice and snow.

[cantab27]

bugger that, dropping a jeep down........i would get a taller wife..........;)

as others have said , easy job,,good luck

[Carves]

As the others said ...

Fairly easy job.

Dealing with the front coils is probably the hardest ... depending on how you go about it.

What model XJ is it ?? .... "Sports" with the extra 1" ht ex-factory are s'posed to have a tranny spacer, apparently.

[prerunner1982]

As the others said ...

Fairly easy job.

Dealing with the front coils is probably the hardest ... depending on how you go about it.

What model XJ is it ?? .... "Sports" with the extra 1" ht ex-factory are s'posed to have a tranny spacer, apparently.

I believe it was the UP Country package that had the lift.

[Carves]

I believe it was the UP Country package that had the lift.

Cheers for that.

"Sport" models with it, might have been an export model thing then ...

[prerunner1982]

Cheers for that.

"Sport" models with it, might have been an export model thing then ...

Wouldn't surprise me...

[bobbyv]

Its a Classic, don't think it has any extra lift. Tranny spacers were added later. Thanks

[Mudderoy]

I believe it was the UP Country package that had the lift.

Correct, my Jeep came with the Up Country package.

[XJ4IV]

first off do you have new rear shackles? thats the main part that and getting OE springs

[bobbyv]

No I don't have the original shackles, I'd have to purchase them. But get this, now my wife says it wouldn't seem right to lower the Jeep. Bless her Heart!! Aint she something. So we're thinkng about adding some steps or side bars. Guess thats still better than having to lower it. Thanks everyone for the input.

[prerunner1982]

You know if she insists on a set of steps, you might as well get ones with rock sliders as well... :D

http://www.jcroffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=J&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=XJSL&Product_Code=XJ-SL2
http://www.jcroffroad.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/XJslidersStage2pics1-2.jpg

[Mudderoy]

You know if she insists on a set of steps, you might as well get ones with rock sliders as well... :D

http://www.jcroffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=J&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=XJSL&Product_Code=XJ-SL2
http://www.jcroffroad.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/XJslidersStage2pics1-2.jpg

Just be warned... they can be quite slippery when wet. I may put some of that sandpaper kind of stuff on mine (if I must).

[prerunner1982]

Just be warned... they can be quite slippery when wet. I may put some of that sandpaper kind of stuff on mine (if I must).

Grip Tape... its the sand paper like stuff that is used on skate boards.
Can even get it when designs/colors.

http://img.skatewarehouse.com/new_thumbs/FKDMGT-thumb.jpg
http://img.skatewarehouse.com/new_thumbs/FKDHZGT-thumb.jpg
http://img.skatewarehouse.com/new_thumbs/FIREDGT-thumb.jpg
http://img.skatewarehouse.com/new_thumbs/FIGRGT-thumb.jpg