Welcome Hopkins!!!

[BlueXJ]

Hi Hopkins, :welcome: to the :xjtalk: forum!

We would love to know more about you and your Jeep. How you found us, etc...

Be sure and check out our XJ TALK SHOW! (http://podcasts.xjtalk.com) It\'s about Cherokees! It\'s like a radio talk show, but from the Internet.

Check out our sister sites, http://www.WranglerTalk.com/ and http://www.di-dah-dit.com/

[Hopkins]

Hey everybody! Glad to be a part of xjtalk. So I just recently bought a 98 XJ. I made sure to do my homework and find one with low-ish miles, no rust, Chrysler 8.25, and hpd30. She also has the aw4 and np231, and her name is Tiffy. I have yet to count driveshaft/tire turns and figure out what r/p gears I'm working with.

I already had to pull and clean the NSS and will be backflushing the heater core this weekend. Soon I am looking to add a 3" short arm lift with 31s, and have a long term idea to run a Clayton offroad long arm lift with 35s or 37s once funds allow for new axles. Also will eventually add lockers, armor, etc...

My last 4x4 was a 93 Bronco on 40s with and a very long list of other goodies. Eventually rust won that battle and i do not know how to weld, so it was better to cut my losses.Here are some pics of Tiffy and big blue. I am new to jeeps and new to unibody, so i look forward to learning from you guys.

http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p620/HopkinsH3/IMAG0164.jpg

http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p620/HopkinsH3/IMAG0163.jpg

http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p620/HopkinsH3/DSC00191.jpg

[Brasscatz]

Nice lookin Jeep and Bronco ya got there! I'm looking forward to seeing your progress! Welcome to the family!

[4.3LXJ]

Nice looking Jeep. 3" and 31s is a good combo

[XJ Wheeler]

With the looks of that bronco, i'm looking forward to seeing the jeep!

Welcome to xjtalk!

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[Hopkins]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

So as I am looking at 3 inch lifts, I am in need of some direction. I am looking for more than a budget boost, but don't want to go all out since I will be replacing the components in 9 to 18 months when I go long arm. I just want to get the XJ capable of keeping of with my pals on 33s and 35s. My rear leafs are not sagging too much, so I am thinking AAL is all I need outback. Up front I'm looking for new coils and new lower control arms. So my question is what else should I be looking for in a 3 inch lift? Longer sway bar end links vs sway bar drop bracket? I see some lifts include a track bar bracket. Is track bar bracket necessary? Does steering need to be addressed at 3 inches? What else do I need to take into account with 3 inches of lift? Driveshafts? Pinion angle shims? Also are there any companies I should avoid? Zone and rough country both have really attractive pricing, but I don't have experience with either.

I look forward to hearing some responses! Thanks in advance!

[Brasscatz]

You will see many differing opinions on the various lift manufacturers, but truth be told they are all acceptable or they'd be out of business by now lol. I'd go with full leaf packs over AAL because that AAL will sag over time. BUT if that's one of the things you'll be replacing soon, you can go AAL.

3 inches isn't going to be too much of a difference where you'll have to change a bunch of parts. Stock steering should work just fine, pinion angles SHOULD be ok but you MAY have to drop the t/c. You'll know afterwards if you have vibes. Drive shafts will be fine stock lower control arms will work stock, you can save money on those if you're just going long arms later.

I have 3" lift with stock swaybar links. They're at their limit, but they work just fine. Track bar bracket you can go ahead and change along with an adjustable track bar and you can use it later if you're getting a bigger lift.

Brake lines can be relocated to accommodate 3", you will probably need longer shocks though.

[EekGirl96]

Welcome to the forum....nice looking XJ and Bronco!!! Glad to have ya aboard :)

[Hopkins]

Time to update...

The wonderful man in the brown truck has dropped off some goodies and I can't wait to get started.

First we have Rough Country Series II 3" lift with 2.2 shocks. Got it for a killer price as part of their 25 Days of Xmas promotion.

http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p620/HopkinsH3/IMAG0174.jpg

Then to compliment the lift I ordered new grade 8 U-bolts, a Skyjacker track bar bracket, and Rugged Ridge 1.5' wheel spacers. Got another great deal on the wheel spacers through Amazon, and with free shipping through Amazon Prime it couldn't be easier. Also have an Optima Redtop on the way that I will be getting under the hood ASAP. We had our first really cold night and the next day the battery did not have enough juice to crank. I had her out and running for an hour or two the day before and everything was looking/running fine, so I'm hoping a new battery solves the issue.

http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p620/HopkinsH3/IMAG0178.jpg

After the first of the year I will be buying 4 31x10.5x15 Treadwright Guard Dogs. I can't wait to get this work done. I will be leaving home and heading south for vacation over xmas and new years, so the work won't be done till mid-Jan probably.

Alright, that's enough about the upgrades. Let me know if you guys have any tips for install of anything I purchases.