Installation of a RC 3" Lift on a 99 Jeep Cherokee

[Mudderoy]

A couple of years ago we purchased a used 1999 Jeep Cherokee. Tires were horrible, body though straight had faded paint and some pretty good scratches in places. I was looking for something that was mechanically sound and not so much pretty. For about $2,300 and 140k miles this would fit the bill!

Fast forward and we have a 2003 TJ for the wife to drive so this 1999 goes to my two girls to drive. Recently I was noticing some wheel hop and after new Timkin wheel bearings and a rotate and balance didn't resolve it, well it was time to buy new shocks. Hey, wait a minute, you get new shocks with a lift kit right?!?!?! :smiley-laughing021:

Knowing all the things I went through with my 4.5" lift then 6.5" lift on my daily driven 1998 Jeep Cherokee I decided to get a 3" lift for the 1999.

By the way, the 99 didn't come with these wheels, I purchased them from an :xjtalk: member for $100 (set of 5) :D :thanx:
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Although I knew that I was going to install full leaves on my 1998 eventually I initially went with AAL (Add A Leaf) option to save a few dollars. This sucked since it didn't give me the lift I was expecting but worse they squeaked! So I found a RC 3" kit that came with full leaf packs but didn't include the fixed lower control arms. I thought this would be perfect since I have a set of lower control arms that came with my 4.5" RC lift. Yep, confirmed that the 4.5" lower control arms and 3" lower control arms are the same size with Rough Country.

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Reading, okay scanning, the installation instructions and even watching a RC 3" installation video on youtube...

http://youtu.be/VclH-lo0ZZo

I was wondering... Where's the sway bar drops?!?!? So I made a quick trip (online) to RoughCountry.com and tried their only chat support.

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According to RC they are not needed and confirmed that are not included in this kit.

[4.3LXJ]

That is right Tony, generally with only 3" drop you just use the stock set up

[Mudderoy]

That is right Tony, generally with only 3" drop you just use the stock set up

I was hoping that was the case, but wanted to be sure before I had to put everything back!

Also there is no mention of track bar drops, drilling of new mounting holes, etc...

I assumed that the track bar and sway bars could remain stock and was one of the reasons I was interested in the 3" lift. :D

[4.3LXJ]

You might want to consider drilling new holes. The axle will shift a little. The rule on sway bar mods is if full droop will be affected by the bar. 3" no, but more, yes so that is when they start giving you more parts

[Mountain Goat]

Adjustable track bar is a nice way to center the axle back up. I have seen lots of XJ's with a 3 inch lift, 33's and stock track bar. Most of the are missing the right front fender flare due to the axle being shifted to the drivers side. The right front tire grabs the flare in a tight turn and pitches it off. If you are not running 33's this probably won't be an issue. for $129 and some shipping (Rough Country) you can get it all running straight again.:D

[nickxj94]

Adjustable track bar is a nice way to center the axle back up. I have seen lots of XJ's with a 3 inch lift, 33's and stock track bar. Most of the are missing the right front fender flare due to the axle being shifted to the drivers side. The right front tire grabs the flare in a tight turn and pitches it off. If you are not running 33's this probably won't be an issue. for $129 and some shipping (Rough Country) you can get it all running straight again.:D

Or if your Jeep has been hit in the front lol my 2000 I had to get a adj RC TB to center it back up since the front is shifted about a inch to one side PO didn't have it fixed I assume

[Mudderoy]

Well I got started about 9:10 am. Things were going very well until I couldn't get the pin to go into the plate on the C8.25. Looking at the other side I saw that the pin (bolt that goes through the leaf pack) round head was too big for the hole in the plate that is on the C8.25!!

I had to remove both pins and grind them down a bit to make them fit.

Also I was able to get the two upper shock bolts out on the driver's side, but they both broke off on the passenger side.

If those two bolts would have come out whole I'd be done with the rear right now, as it is I'll have to wait for replacement bolts nuts to finish the rear so I can put the tires back on and move the 6 ton jack stands to the front and start dropping the front axle to get the old springs out.

I'll probably start taking the front shocks out. Those pins not fitting were a big surprise and cost me an additional hour at least!

[4.3LXJ]

Yup, stupid stuff like that makes it take longer

[Mudderoy]

Okay so the bolts, nuts, and star washers showed up along with a burger! Rear done. Turned it around and got it jacked up for the front, but I'm taking a brake and cooling down at the same time.

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[4.3LXJ]

Probably not enough Jeeps in the Driveway Tony :D

[Mudderoy]

Probably not enough Jeeps in the Driveway Tony :D

God help me, I'd like to have a MJ. :smiley-laughing021:

[Mountain Goat]

Looks like room for one more;)

[4.3LXJ]

God help me, I'd like to have a MJ. :smiley-laughing021:

You could always buy a parking lot and put a house in it :rolleyes:

[gary63]

3 more 2 in the garage and one more in the driveway.

[Mountain Goat]

3 more 2 in the garage and one more in the driveway.


I wonder how big his back yard is:D

[bluedragon436]

Looks good, I'm sure the girls will be happy about the 99' being lifted..

[Mudderoy]

I did NOT rent the strut compressors from the auto parts this time. I recently installed the 6.5" coils on my 98 and the compressors were a waste of time.

I learned something yesterday though. If you have stock lower control arms you'll wish you had those strut compressors, because the lower control arms limit how far the front axle will droop!

I had to disconnect the LCAs to get the axle to drop far enough. That along with the tie rod, pass side, track bar, and steering damper. Oh and of course the sway bar.

It was a 9am to 11pm install, yeah you read that right. About 1 hour break around 6pm and I had an unplanned nap while cooling off on the garage floor.

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[XJ Wheeler]

Much better! Nice stance, seems to sit pretty evenly. I bet the girls are excited?

[Mudderoy]

Took some side by side comparison shots this morning before leaving for work...

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[bluedragon436]

Looks nice, and doesn't seem like it's a whole lot shorter than yours, at least at the angle the pics was taken... Now it just needs some beefier/larger tires on there... Now make sure you def stay hydrated the next couple of days after being out in the heat like that...

[Mudderoy]

Looks nice, and doesn't seem like it's a whole lot shorter than yours, at least at the angle the pics was taken... Now it just needs some beefier/larger tires on there... Now make sure you def stay hydrated the next couple of days after being out in the heat like that...

lol yep, I had about 7 big glasses of tea that day. If you've seen the podcast you know the size of that beer mug I drink out of. It's about 12 inches tall. Great for holding lots of tea.

[bluedragon436]

OH yeah... I remember that beast... I'd def say continue on with water or tea even for a few days after... as the affects can get you days later...

[4.3LXJ]

I don't know Tony. She might want a few more goodies on that nice looking red Jeep :D

[Mudderoy]

I don't know Tony. She might want a few more goodies on that nice looking red Jeep :D

That's cool, but it's two of them. 18 and 19. They both work and go(ing) to college.

[msmoorenburg]

?????????? no XJTALK sticker?????????????

[Mudderoy]

?????????? no XJTALK sticker?????????????

Other side, it's a color.

[msmoorenburg]

Other side, it's a color.

Nice save :D