Three years ago, I dropped $1,000 on a lift kit for my daily-driver, a 1992 Jeep Cherokee. And while I initially loved the way it turned out, I’ve grown to detest almost everything about my new suspension. Lifting my daily driver was a dumb idea.
The main reason I lifted my Jeep was because it was starting to look a bit pathetic with its saggy rear leaf pack, heavily-scratched paint, rusty rocker panels, and off-color driver’s side fender. I figured I could lift the Jeep out of its Pathetic Old Junker status and turn it into something actually kinda badass, and I think I was right. Look at that muscular stance. Those beefy 31-inch tires. All that extra ground clearance for off-roading. It is beautiful. But I had to sacrifice a crap-ton for that look, and in retrospect, it totally wasn’t worth it. Never mind the initial $1,000 price tag for all the parts, or the days of labor trying to remove rusty upper shock bolts and leaf spring eye bolts. Never mind trying to cure driveline vibrations, or adjusting the track bar to keep the 31s from rubbing. Never mind all that. What I do mind, however, is when I’m headed home on a quiet night after a long day and BAM, I hit an expansion joint. Two seconds later: BAM, I ran over a grasshopper. A second later: BAM, I ran over an endoplasmic reticulum. Three seconds later: BAM, I ran over a fermion. G/O Media may get a commission You get the point: the ride quality is abysmal, even with my Bilstein 5100 shocks. And that’s the issue with a lot of these lift kits, including my relatively-pricey Rubicon Express one: the springs are often too damn stiff. Of course, my peril doesn’t end with just poor ride quality. The handling also got much worse thanks to the higher center of gravity, the braking got a crap-ton worse thanks to the
larger diameter tires, and my god, the acceleration. This Jeep’s grunty four-liter motor makes 190 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, which was great with the original 215 75 R15 tires. But with the 31s and factory 3.55 gearing, the Jeep is now downright slow. And that makes me sad. Wind noise is also up, thanks to more exposed suspension parts, steering parts now wear out faster, and fuel economy is drastically reduced. I used to score about 19 MPG highway, and now I’m at about 14 or 15. That’s almost a 20 percent reduction in mileage because of four inches of lift, and three-inches of extra tire diameter. As someone who drives total shitboxes regularly, you’d think I’d be comfortable in a loud, inefficient, poor handling, poor braking, slow vehicle. And I totally am. But in this case, looking at the data, this lift kit just wasn’t worth it. If this weren’t just a grocery-store runabout, but instead an actual off-road rig, maybe I’d say it was worth it. But I’ve got a purpose-built green Jeep XJ at home that I’m not at all afraid to hammer on off-road. As such, this red Jeep rarely sees mud or rocks, rendering my lift kit all but useless, and the negative consequences of the install all the more annoying. I kinda just want my old springs back. But man that rear three-quarter profile. Whew, it makes me weak. Joined
Jun 26, 2013 · 133 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Jul 18, 2013 Anyone have pics of there rig with 4.5" lift with 31's because that's what I'm thinking about doing with mine Joined Jul 3, 2013 · 40 Posts
Not 4.5. This is 3.5 with 31's. 33's and 4.5 would look pretty good. Joined Jun 26, 2013 · 133 Posts
Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 18, 2013 Not 4.5. This is 3.5 with 31's. 33's and 4.5 would look pretty good. Well I don't have enough money for 33's so I figured keep 31's and but a 4.5 inch lift from rough country I already have a 2 inch rough country but I can't flex hardly Joined Jul 3, 2013 · 40 Posts
Remove the rear sway bar for some more flecks. Remove front sway for even more flecks but scary on road feeling Joined Jun 26, 2013 · 133 Posts
Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 18, 2013 Remove the rear sway bar for some more flecks. Remove front sway for even more flecks but scary on road feeling I would do that but its my daily driver Joined Jan 26, 2012 · 1,301 Posts
I would do that but its my daily driver I daily drive mine no sways front or rear ,. Just gotta be concious of it... Joined Jul 3, 2013 · 40 Posts
I daily drive mine no sways front or rear ,. Just gotta be concious of it... My ranger had 4 inch lift with 33's with no sways. IFS but still interesting to drive. Freeway offramps were pretty entertaining until i got used to the body roll. Great way to scare your passengers. Haven't pulled the
sways on the Jeep but it's on the list. Joined Jun 26, 2013 · 133 Posts
Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 18, 2013 I daily drive mine no sways front or rear ,. Just gotta be concious of it... R they easy to remove? Joined Jan 15, 2012 · 3,151 Posts
4.5 on 32s. Looks good imo. I found these tires on cl for 300 and they were hardly used and had full tread still Joined Jun 26, 2013 · 133 Posts
Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 18, 2013 4.5 on 32s. Looks good imo. I found these tires on cl for 300 and they were hardly used and had full tread still That looks nice!
Joined Jan 15, 2012 · 3,151 Posts
Thanks! Gl on your search and build! Joined Jun 26, 2013 · 133 Posts
Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 18, 2013 Thanks! Gl on your search and build! Thanks bud! Joined Jan 24, 2013 · 34 Posts
Here's mine it's a 4.5 bastard lift on bf Goodrich all terrain Joined Jun 26, 2013 · 133 Posts
Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 18, 2013 Here's mine it's a 4.5 bastard lift on bf Goodrich all terrain Hows the ride? Joined Nov 5, 2012 · 817 Posts
Imm running 31 for now and im up 4.5"Bastard lift also... no rear sway bar and it rides pretty good. I would like to upgrade to 33 eventually....right now 31/10.5/15 goodyear Authority they only sell at walmart($150 ea) and i picked the set up for $200 craigs list with about 50% tread here are some pics
http://www.cherokeetalk.com/forum/f30/june-2013-modified-cotm-22406/ Joined Jan 24, 2013 · 34 Posts
The ride is good can't really complain but haven't taken her off road yet, not many legal place to go where I live Joined Jun 9, 2012 · 311 Posts
I would do that but its my daily driver Just make or go buy quick disconnects its a lot safer drove mine without a front for a week. Its do able but unsafe I almost lifted a rear tire at one point nearly rolled it, never again. If you do ,stay off the highway 18 weelers don't care that u don't have a a
swaybar Edit: I a word Joined Jan 26, 2012 · 1,301 Posts
Like 10 mins worth of work ,. Pretty easy .. Joined Jul 6, 2013 · 702 Posts
Muddy is 35's long arm 8.5" Joined Jun 26, 2013 · 133 Posts
Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 24, 2013 Muddy is 35's long arm 8.5" I just bought mickey thompson mtz 33x12.50x15 on dick cepek dc-1 15x10 and ordered a rough country 4.5" lift will I be able to clear 33's with no trimming? |
Jeep xj 3 inch lift on 31s
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