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jim91303
02-28-2010, 11:44 PM
well .... i finnially have the parts needed to do my lift. starting tomorrow (23-1-10) going for 6.5'' to 8''

i have a 6.5'' lift and 2'' spacer level lift
HD tie rod
comtrol arms
pitman arm
2 new calipers
front pads
new brake lines
new shackles
leaf packs
trans drop kit
trac bar
rear brakes


hoping to be done by friday so i can take it out saturday. will try to post pics as i go ...
anyone wanting to help ... feel free to PM. staring around noon on monday.

tjblair
02-28-2010, 11:47 PM
Better add long arms, a sye, and driveshaft to that list.

Mykal
02-28-2010, 11:47 PM
What about shocks, long arms, SYE and a driveshaft?

Why so high? Is this going to be a mud runner? What size tires are you putting on it?

limegreentj
02-28-2010, 11:48 PM
holy shit! its gonna be huge! you gotta have some big balls to drive a small rig that tall! mine scares me at 4" with short arms

Mykal
02-28-2010, 11:48 PM
Better add long arms, a sye, and driveshaft to that list.

Shit you beat me to it. :jeepxj3:

jim91303
02-28-2010, 11:49 PM
so what is a sye

Mykal
02-28-2010, 11:49 PM
holy shit! its gonna be huge! you gotta have some big balls to drive a small rig that tall! mine scares me at 4" with short arms

Mine feels VERY stable at 3.5" with short arms. Must be the wheelbase, you know.. being a station wagon and all. :080:

limegreentj
02-28-2010, 11:50 PM
SYE slip yoke eliminator


and yes mykal...they gotta be stable haulin the kids to soccer practice! lol

Mykal
02-28-2010, 11:50 PM
so what is a sye

http://tinyurl.com/yjdmt3m

jim91303
02-28-2010, 11:51 PM
What about shocks, long arms, SYE and a driveshaft?

Why so high? Is this going to be a mud runner? What size tires are you putting on it?


33'' to 35'' just an all around offroad rig

limegreentj
02-28-2010, 11:51 PM
dude!!! mykal that link was ****ing bad ass! how'd you do that!?!?!

Mykal
02-28-2010, 11:54 PM
33'' to 35'' just an all around offroad rig

Do you know that you dont need that much lift? Why so high?



dude!!! mykal that link was ****ing bad ass! how'd you do that!?!?!

http://lmgtfy.com/

limegreentj
02-28-2010, 11:55 PM
http://tinyurl.com/ye595md

limegreentj
02-28-2010, 11:55 PM
thats cool as shit! lol

jim91303
02-28-2010, 11:56 PM
Do you know that you dont need that much lift? Why so high?




http://lmgtfy.com/

like to be different. if i deciede to go with better axles later and go to bigger tires i won't need to get a new lift.

tjblair
02-28-2010, 11:57 PM
I would ditch the 2in spacers. get a sye and either get a long arm kit or a long arm upgrade kit 8in of lift with short arms is going to barely drivable on the street, and is going to flex for shit on the trail. IMO anything over 4in of lift is going to require long armsto correct your caster issues. also adding 2in spacers on top of lift springs is not a good idea.JMHO

jim91303
02-28-2010, 11:58 PM
not a steet rig !

village_idiot
03-01-2010, 12:00 AM
33'' to 35'' just an all around offroad rig
dude, check this out, save your cash and build it the right way the first time.

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/suspension/154_1003_jeep_cherokee_bds_long_arm_lift_kit/index.html

limegreentj
03-01-2010, 12:00 AM
i know you are trying to do this on the cheap, so maybe you could build some long arms? it will definitely help on the trail

Mykal
03-01-2010, 12:01 AM
like to be different. if i deciede to go with better axles later and go to bigger tires i won't need to get a new lift.

Good luck with that. Wear your seatbelt and keep your limbs inside. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz0jLLWaCFI

tjblair
03-01-2010, 12:05 AM
why not just buy this one (http://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/1608426319.html)
http://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/1608426319.html:043:
even if it is just for offroad it is not going to flex at all. you will be luckey to even get the springs in with the 2in spacers and short arms. BTW you can fit 33's with 6in of lift with no cutting but you will still need long arms and a SYE.

Dozer45
03-03-2010, 02:59 PM
why not just buy this one (http://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/1608426319.html)
http://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/1608426319.html:043:


god that is hideous!

seriously, get to know your rig before you go lifting it and rolling it, im very happy with my little 2" lift and 31 inch tires. sure i cant hang with the "big dogs" but no matter how big or badass your rig is, there will always be a challenge. so that being said, get the mechanics of 4 wheelin down in a more managable setup, before you put your COG in "automatic flip over mode"

sounds like your spending a lot of money on this lift, or will end up spending a lot more to complete it for that matter, id say spend the money on armor, and recovery gear before jackin her up. just my 2 cents. I dont mean to come across as an :asshat:, but thats the advice that i have followed and im glad i did. its payed off well

Deadman 94 xj
03-03-2010, 03:24 PM
I agree with everyone else. If you want to stay high, stick to 6.5" lift. There's no reason to go up to 8 on an XJ IMO, unless you're building a mud truck with rockwells under it.

I'm not usually one to get my panites in a bunch over other people's lift height because I like a little height too, but it takes a lot to get it where you want it. I still want to go a little lower to be honest.

One day I'll have a solid set of axles. 60 and 14bolt, full width, on 39's with a full cage with about 5" of lift! (in about 10 yrs)

Deadman 94 xj
03-03-2010, 03:29 PM
That said, build the damn thing however you want!!!

betrayed93
03-04-2010, 12:41 AM
lol, I actaully saw that jeep Last march down daytona beach, Its unreal how high all the lifted trucks/jeep are in that area!! As far as lifting 8.5 inches is to high for short arms, Im in the same ball park as you building a budget wheeler, My last one went just about everywhere on 4.5-5 inches with a good set of 33's, I only had 750$ in the whole jeep and it was a tank! you will be amazed what 4-5 inches alone can crawl over and if you do some trimming you can put 35's esp if you got a 6 inch lift

In fact if you want to build a budget wheeler just search for pics of josh's beater xj builds, They are tanks while they last!

betrayed93
03-04-2010, 12:44 AM
:worthless:

jim91303
03-06-2010, 12:22 PM
:worthless:


I know ..... LOL !

i did get any thing done on it this week. took wifes car to store and found out it was 6 month out out of inspection. we, took it in for an inspection ..... 4 days later and about $1500 later ..... finnially done. she had a broken swaybar, bent tie rod end, needed brakes, needed 4 tires.

I SWEAR WOMEN DONT NEED TO DRIVE IF THEY CAN'T TELL IF SOME THINGS WRONGE WITH IT.

limegreentj
03-06-2010, 01:52 PM
/\ holy ****!

jim91303
03-07-2010, 01:13 PM
well ... today the lift WILL be started. wont be done today .... still waiting on my energy suspension bushings for the rear leafs. summit is slow this time with thier shiiping ! i think they where on back order. be here near end of month. :(

jim91303
03-07-2010, 08:37 PM
tear down went slow today. i went out last night and got drunk .... slept til 11 AM. didnt get started til 2:30 PM

ran into some trouble ...... bolts just dont want to come apart. sprayed them with PB blaster 2 days ago. didn't help much.

here's tear down pics .... i have to load them first ...... then i'll post them.

Deadman 94 xj
03-07-2010, 08:55 PM
What bolts? Try heating them up. Usually works.

jim91303
03-07-2010, 08:56 PM
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/jim91303/jeep%20cherokee%20XJ/th_DSCF0866.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/jim91303/jeep%20cherokee%20XJ/?action=view&current=DSCF0866.jpg)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/jim91303/jeep%20cherokee%20XJ/th_DSCF0864.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/jim91303/jeep%20cherokee%20XJ/?action=view&current=DSCF0864.jpg)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/jim91303/jeep%20cherokee%20XJ/th_DSCF0878.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/jim91303/jeep%20cherokee%20XJ/?action=view&current=DSCF0878.jpg)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/jim91303/jeep%20cherokee%20XJ/th_DSCF0877.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/jim91303/jeep%20cherokee%20XJ/?action=view&current=DSCF0877.jpg)

jim91303
03-07-2010, 09:03 PM
now i need some ideas to get the leaf spring mounting bolt out. the leaf is broke at the eye, there is no nut on the other end ... it has a nut welded in on the bracket .... the nut is between the bracket and the frame rail. so ...... what is the best way to get this bolt out ? if i simple cut the bolt, that will get it out but i wouldn't be able to install a new one because the nut end can not be reached. there is no holes between the bracket and the frame rail.

jim91303
03-07-2010, 09:04 PM
What bolts? Try heating them up. Usually works.


leaf mount bolts ... control arm bolts

jim91303
03-07-2010, 09:07 PM
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/jim91303/jeep%20cherokee%20XJ/th_DSCF0866.jpg (http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c353/jim91303/jeep%20cherokee%20XJ/?action=view&current=DSCF0866.jpg)


this it the 1 i am having the most trouble. the red bracket along the frame rail ... the nut is between the bracket and frame rail and noway to get to it because it was a weld in bolt. that nut broke loose and now can't get bolt out.

Deadman 94 xj
03-07-2010, 09:07 PM
leaf mount bolts ...


As far as the pics, when you go to paste your link, make sure you delete whats already in the box first.

I had a fun time with those bolts. I used a big wrench, a lot of heat from a torch, and a highlift handle as a breaker bar. Is was slow but I didn't break the bolt off, which you DO NOT want to do. I could not have done it without the torch.


Edit: Nevermind. You're screwed :flipoff2:

Time to pull out the angle grinder and sawzaw.

jim91303
03-07-2010, 09:16 PM
so my best option is to cut the bracket off and fab a new one to bolt on ?

has anyone else done this and have a pic they can post so i can get some ideas on how to make one that has been proven to work.

Deadman 94 xj
03-07-2010, 09:22 PM
so my best option is to cut the bracket off and fab a new one to bolt on ?

I would try and cut everything out of there first before fabing up a new bracket. You can't get a saw blade up in there to cut the bolt?

ridgerunner97
03-07-2010, 09:22 PM
so my best option is to cut the bracket off and fab a new one to bolt on ?


Negative, your not ****ed yet. :) I tried heat, goin at it slow, didn't work, get the angle grinder out and a thin cutting wheel. In the unirail, cut a small rectangle to get a box end wrench up in there inside the unirail onto the broken nut on the back, then use regular hardware when you replace it and large washers front and back. Another thing to do is use either a lock nut on the back inside the unirail or use two nuts inside the unirail. THEY WILL LOOSEN UP AFTER DRIVING A BIT TRUST ME!!!! My Drivers side broke, pass. side held but when I went to retighten fastners after about 100mi or so It broke on the pass. side so I wound up having to do the same.

tjblair
03-07-2010, 09:22 PM
Are you sure the nut broke loose? 90% of the time the bolt siezes to the sleeve in the bushing. If you break the bolt,(this is almost always what breaks) and the sleeve spins in the bushing it will seem like the nut broke loose. we usually(happy tom?)cut the spring off of the bushing to get at the sleeve. and from there you can get the sleeve free'd up from the bolt.

Deadman 94 xj
03-07-2010, 09:27 PM
I'd just cut right through that bushing and into the bolt.

ridgerunner97
03-07-2010, 09:29 PM
Okay if he broke the nut off inside the uniframe your gonna wind up having to do what I said. Make sure like they said though that the bushing isn't spinning...

jim91303
03-07-2010, 09:29 PM
100% sure its the nut that broke off. there is a small hole in the rail and i could see the end of the bolt ... it was turning also ... and ya could see the edges of the nut.

i was afraid to go cuttin into the rail befor asking others 1st. i didn't want to hurt the strength of the unirail. and i know welding on them aint the best.

the nut is between the bracket and the unirail .... not inside the unirail.

ridgerunner97
03-07-2010, 09:31 PM
I cut just enough of a rectangular hole in the bottom of the unirail to fit a wrench inside and my pudgy fingers for the washers and nuts LMAO, she ain't folded like a taco yet and I dd it and wheel it, put on serious miles since I did that too.

Deadman 94 xj
03-07-2010, 09:32 PM
we usually(happy tom?)cut the spring off of the bushing to get at the sleeve. And from there you can get the sleeve free'd up from the bolt.

lol. Yes

jim91303
03-07-2010, 09:58 PM
ok ... tire question ...

i can get a set of used 35s cheap. about 1 / 4th tread left.
will the stock axles handle these ? some people i have talked to says yes ... but not under heavy binding and hard on the pedal. others say no ... not at all. what do you all say?

tjblair
03-07-2010, 10:00 PM
I would cut the bolt(on either side of the spring) to get the spring out. Then cut a hole in the bracket just big enough to get the right size nut in it . take that nut and weld it to a big washer. you need to use a thick washer like 3/16 or so. once you have the nut welded to the washer stick the nut into the hole you cut, and weld the washer to the bracket. then you should just have to take a little off of the new sleeve and bushing.

jim91303
03-07-2010, 10:02 PM
I would cut the bolt(on either side of the spring) to get the spring out. Then cut a hole in the bracket just big enough to get the right size nut in it . take that nut and weld it to a big washer. you need to use a thick washer like 3/16 or so. once you have the nut welded to the washer stick the nut into the hole you cut, and weld the washer to the bracket. then you should just have to take a little off of the new sleeve and bushing.


that sounds like a good idea. may just have to try that.

i know this seams like an easy fix ... but i like to be prepaired and have many options ... keep them coming.

tjblair
03-07-2010, 10:02 PM
ok ... tire question ...

i can get a set of used 35s cheap. about 1 / 4th tread left.
will the stock axles handle these ? some people i have talked to says yes ... but not under heavy binding and hard on the pedal. others say no ... not at all. what do you all say?
you can make the axels last. I have been running 35's on stock axels for the last three years. I have only broken one shaft. you just have to know your limits.

jim91303
03-07-2010, 10:08 PM
you can make the axels last. I have been running 35's on stock axels for the last three years. I have only broken one shaft. you just have to know your limits.

awesome .... i will probably still get a set of 33s for more serious off roadin .... but would love to have 35s. guess before i ever take it out i better have shafts and axles piled up incase i .... when i brake one. :082:

joker291977
03-07-2010, 10:38 PM
i dont like that bolt jim it was sounding good till the breaker bar about broke my hand lol

jim91303
03-08-2010, 12:18 PM
well ... this project just got put on hold ! work called ... gotta go back to the grind ! :(

cityslicker
03-08-2010, 12:36 PM
Are you sure the nut broke loose? 90% of the time the bolt siezes to the sleeve in the bushing. If you break the bolt,(this is almost always what breaks) and the sleeve spins in the bushing it will seem like the nut broke loose. we usually(happy tom?)cut the spring off of the bushing to get at the sleeve. and from there you can get the sleeve free'd up from the bolt.

x2 thats what happened to mine too.

cityslicker
03-08-2010, 12:38 PM
awesome .... i will probably still get a set of 33s for more serious off roadin .... but would love to have 35s. guess before i ever take it out i better have shafts and axles piled up incase i .... when i brake one. :082:


I'd have extra u joints with you on the trail. and a u joint press

2002wranglerX
03-08-2010, 12:44 PM
I'd just cut right through that bushing and into the bolt.

that was my first thought too. Bushings are cheap

2002wranglerX
03-08-2010, 12:44 PM
i'd have extra u joints with you on the trail. And a u joint press

:083::083::083::083::083::083::083::083:

tjblair
03-08-2010, 06:48 PM
I'd have extra u joints with you on the trail. and a u joint press
He will break the rear shafts before the fronts. It is really not that hard to make them last. Ask anyone who has wheeled with me,I'm not exactly easy on my jeep and I have been wheeling it with 35's on stock axels for three years. I locked the rear two years ago and the front last year. like I said I have only broke one rear shaft. The main thing that you do not want to do is shock load them. I let mine stall before I get the axels really loaded up. getting the rear hoping is another no no :042:.

jim91303
03-08-2010, 08:29 PM
my rear axle is locked ... lookin for a front locker.