Paddletrucker
04-06-2013, 10:58 PM
So, a little background.
I bought the XJ in late summer 2011, and a 3" Rough Country lift shortly thereafter. I'd planned on doing the lift in early 2012, but due to things I couldn't control, I ended up working a whole bunch during 2012 and the lift was in storage and I did nothing to the Jeep but drive it when I wasn't on the road. Now, after I've grounded the Jeep due to a bad tire, it's time to do the lift, so I can ditch the 215's and get some 31x10.50's and get back to building my fishing assault vehicle. That's right, I've owned the XJ since 2011 and had the lift in storage since then. Haven't opened the boxes until today when I got them out. Originally, I had access to a very nicely equipped shop and a guy who'd done many lift, including XJ lifts. My problem is that I've forgotten a lot of things, I've lost access to the well equipped shop where the lift was going to be done, the knowledge of the guy who owned the shop (long story), and I'm not too sure about a few things.
I ordered all this stuff, but don't remember most of my reasoning why. I don't even remember what I gave for all this stuff. :crazy: The RC instructions go something like this.....1. Remove all suspension parts. 2. Install lift on front. 3. Repeat process for rear.:bang: They did send lots of stickers, though.:p Needless to say, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the thought of doing this in my driveway, but if it's going on, it looks like that's going to be how. Pretty disappointed in the RC directions. I did go to their site and saw a youtube video where they did a lift in 6 minutes. Yeah, right. Looks like it's more intimate time with the 'ol search function.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj298/picsofnate/2DEB5FCB-4BCD-4A33-99AA-0BD621F60902-2870-0000037226EEAE3E.jpg
Springs, looks like I've got too many control arms, a track bar, and more springs.
Box of the "best shocks Rough country sells" supposedly. At least in 2011.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj298/picsofnate/A4D35DA6-44F6-4121-8678-42FDA0E88432-2870-0000037206EFE106.jpg
What the heck is this thing for???:confused:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj298/picsofnate/C1889A3D-B011-4BF8-9ECB-E3A3B9C57CED-2870-000003721C7DE95F.jpg
Odds and ends.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj298/picsofnate/E8244350-8412-442D-80E9-4DC08E47237D-2870-00000371D46C9B32.jpg
Two brackets for something, but I don't know for sure. Why do I have so many U-bolts? Then there's a bunch of shock boots, and a steering stabilizer. I'm guessing the hardware is all there.
I'm thinking I should have some shackles, shouldn't I? I can't see the stock shackles working with these longer springs. If I need some, I might order the adjustable ones from Ironman Andy.:thumbsup: Maybe even a shackle relocation kit. Maybe.
So questions. I've got a lot of them.
I'd decided on a 3" lift for some reason. I can't remember why. How big of a deal would it be to get some spacers for the coil springs and longer shackles for the rear to get a little more? Maybe the shackle relocation kit? I want to stay on 31x10.50's, though, as this will remain my daily driver and primarily for using on lake side trails to take me fishing.
I'm really worried about breaking things off in the unibody. If that happens, can it be dealt with in my driveway? I've been unsuccessful thus far with the search feature finding any tutorial on what to do if a nut spins or a bolt breaks that you can't get to.
I was going to use my stock wheels and spacers. After thinking on it, I think I'm going to buy some wheels. Rough Country told me 4.5 inches of back spacing, I THINK. I can't remember for sure. I want a pretty wide stance. Is there a problem with going to 4.25 or even wider?
Looking at all the stuff I have, can you see anything I'm missing, or that you think I should have? I don't want to get this thing all taken apart and find that I need things. That's annoying.
I seem to remember choosing a 3" lift because I wouldn't need a T-case drop or an SYE. I've been reading recently, however, that I WILL need at least a T-Case drop. IF I need to do that, and IF I need to order some shackles, I'm thinking of ordering some spacers for the front and getting the stuff from Ironman Andy to get a touch more than 3". Otherwise, I'll just go with 3" for now.
I'm sure I'll think of more questions as I cruise the forums and try to refresh my memory after being absent for almost a year.
I bought the XJ in late summer 2011, and a 3" Rough Country lift shortly thereafter. I'd planned on doing the lift in early 2012, but due to things I couldn't control, I ended up working a whole bunch during 2012 and the lift was in storage and I did nothing to the Jeep but drive it when I wasn't on the road. Now, after I've grounded the Jeep due to a bad tire, it's time to do the lift, so I can ditch the 215's and get some 31x10.50's and get back to building my fishing assault vehicle. That's right, I've owned the XJ since 2011 and had the lift in storage since then. Haven't opened the boxes until today when I got them out. Originally, I had access to a very nicely equipped shop and a guy who'd done many lift, including XJ lifts. My problem is that I've forgotten a lot of things, I've lost access to the well equipped shop where the lift was going to be done, the knowledge of the guy who owned the shop (long story), and I'm not too sure about a few things.
I ordered all this stuff, but don't remember most of my reasoning why. I don't even remember what I gave for all this stuff. :crazy: The RC instructions go something like this.....1. Remove all suspension parts. 2. Install lift on front. 3. Repeat process for rear.:bang: They did send lots of stickers, though.:p Needless to say, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the thought of doing this in my driveway, but if it's going on, it looks like that's going to be how. Pretty disappointed in the RC directions. I did go to their site and saw a youtube video where they did a lift in 6 minutes. Yeah, right. Looks like it's more intimate time with the 'ol search function.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj298/picsofnate/2DEB5FCB-4BCD-4A33-99AA-0BD621F60902-2870-0000037226EEAE3E.jpg
Springs, looks like I've got too many control arms, a track bar, and more springs.
Box of the "best shocks Rough country sells" supposedly. At least in 2011.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj298/picsofnate/A4D35DA6-44F6-4121-8678-42FDA0E88432-2870-0000037206EFE106.jpg
What the heck is this thing for???:confused:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj298/picsofnate/C1889A3D-B011-4BF8-9ECB-E3A3B9C57CED-2870-000003721C7DE95F.jpg
Odds and ends.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj298/picsofnate/E8244350-8412-442D-80E9-4DC08E47237D-2870-00000371D46C9B32.jpg
Two brackets for something, but I don't know for sure. Why do I have so many U-bolts? Then there's a bunch of shock boots, and a steering stabilizer. I'm guessing the hardware is all there.
I'm thinking I should have some shackles, shouldn't I? I can't see the stock shackles working with these longer springs. If I need some, I might order the adjustable ones from Ironman Andy.:thumbsup: Maybe even a shackle relocation kit. Maybe.
So questions. I've got a lot of them.
I'd decided on a 3" lift for some reason. I can't remember why. How big of a deal would it be to get some spacers for the coil springs and longer shackles for the rear to get a little more? Maybe the shackle relocation kit? I want to stay on 31x10.50's, though, as this will remain my daily driver and primarily for using on lake side trails to take me fishing.
I'm really worried about breaking things off in the unibody. If that happens, can it be dealt with in my driveway? I've been unsuccessful thus far with the search feature finding any tutorial on what to do if a nut spins or a bolt breaks that you can't get to.
I was going to use my stock wheels and spacers. After thinking on it, I think I'm going to buy some wheels. Rough Country told me 4.5 inches of back spacing, I THINK. I can't remember for sure. I want a pretty wide stance. Is there a problem with going to 4.25 or even wider?
Looking at all the stuff I have, can you see anything I'm missing, or that you think I should have? I don't want to get this thing all taken apart and find that I need things. That's annoying.
I seem to remember choosing a 3" lift because I wouldn't need a T-case drop or an SYE. I've been reading recently, however, that I WILL need at least a T-Case drop. IF I need to do that, and IF I need to order some shackles, I'm thinking of ordering some spacers for the front and getting the stuff from Ironman Andy to get a touch more than 3". Otherwise, I'll just go with 3" for now.
I'm sure I'll think of more questions as I cruise the forums and try to refresh my memory after being absent for almost a year.