well looking at getting a 86 jeep xj (cherokee) and want to know what lift is better for a vehicle that will be going offorad on trails but not much mud (at this point) but also has to be able to be driven daily all year round (through a foot of snow at some points of the year) and for a few 5 hour drives down to the coast to see family, this is through a good amount of 60-70km/h (sorry dont know in mph) corners and some long streches of 100km/h straights so it has to have sway bars! whatever lift i look at im getting the sway bar disconects. also what si needed to be altered to make these lifts work other then what is in the kits i have listed. like swaybar drop kits, longer brake lines, and panard bar drop kit.

3.0" Lift Kit


Kit includes front coil springs, option of rear add-a-leafs or rear leaf springs and u-bolts, and 4 Heckethorn Hydro 8000 series shocks. Fit's 31's. Note: Must know whether the rear axle is a Dana 35 (2 3/4" wide) or a Chrysler 8 1/4 (3" wide).

w/rear add-a-leafs
#670H $230.00

w/rear leaf springs
2 3/4" axle #630H $489.00
3" axle #630H w/3 axle $489.00
---------------------------------------------------------------
4.5" Lift Kit


Kit includes front coil springs, option of rear add-a-leafs or rear leaf springs and u-bolts, and 4 Heckethorn Hydro 8000 series shocks. Fit's 32's. Note: Must know whether the rear axle is a Dana 35 (2 3/4" wide) or a Chrysler 8 1/4 (3" wide).

w/rear add-a-leafs
2 3/4" axle #623H $485.00
3" axle #623H w/3 $485.00


w/rear leaf springs
2 3/4" axle #633H $635.00
3" axle #633H w/3 $635.00

also is there a nissan xterra roof rack style that can be mounted to the cherokee (1 1/2 tubing used for rack.)

well looking at getting a 86 jeep xj (cherokee) and want to know what lift is better for a vehicle that will be going offorad on trails but not much mud (at this point) but also has to be able to be driven daily all year round (through a foot of snow at some points of the year) and for a few 5 hour drives down to the coast to see family, this is through a good amount of 60-70km/h (sorry dont know in mph) corners and some long streches of 100km/h straights so it has to have sway bars! whatever lift i look at im getting the sway bar disconects. also what si needed to be altered to make these lifts work other then what is in the kits i have listed. like swaybar drop kits, longer brake lines, and panard bar drop kit.

3.0" Lift Kit


Kit includes front coil springs, option of rear add-a-leafs or rear leaf springs and u-bolts, and 4 Heckethorn Hydro 8000 series shocks. Fit's 31's. Note: Must know whether the rear axle is a Dana 35 (2 3/4" wide) or a Chrysler 8 1/4 (3" wide).

w/rear add-a-leafs
#670H $230.00

w/rear leaf springs
2 3/4" axle #630H $489.00
3" axle #630H w/3 axle $489.00
---------------------------------------------------------------
4.5" Lift Kit


Kit includes front coil springs, option of rear add-a-leafs or rear leaf springs and u-bolts, and 4 Heckethorn Hydro 8000 series shocks. Fit's 32's. Note: Must know whether the rear axle is a Dana 35 (2 3/4" wide) or a Chrysler 8 1/4 (3" wide).

w/rear add-a-leafs
2 3/4" axle #623H $485.00
3" axle #623H w/3 $485.00


w/rear leaf springs
2 3/4" axle #633H $635.00
3" axle #633H w/3 $635.00

also is there a nissan xterra roof rack style that can be mounted to the cherokee (1 1/2 tubing used for rack.)
u can get someone to make u one i dont know of any racks that look likethe xterra but if u find one let me know.

3.0" Lift Kit


Kit includes front coil springs, option of rear add-a-leafs or rear leaf springs and u-bolts, and 4 Heckethorn Hydro 8000 series shocks. Fit's 31's. Note: Must know whether the rear axle is a Dana 35 (2 3/4" wide) or a Chrysler 8 1/4 (3" wide).

---------------------------------------------------------------
4.5" Lift Kit


Kit includes front coil springs, option of rear add-a-leafs or rear leaf springs and u-bolts, and 4 Heckethorn Hydro 8000 series shocks. Fit's 32's. Note: Must know whether the rear axle is a Dana 35 (2 3/4" wide) or a Chrysler 8 1/4 (3" wide).


also is there a nissan xterra roof rack style that can be mounted to the cherokee (1 1/2 tubing used for rack.)

I did the 3" with a full length additional leaf that was added to the leaf pack second from the top because they don't put excessive stress on the original leaves like the shorter add a leaf can do.

I did it myself in 7 hours on jack stands in my driveway.

It rides well, and looks good too, with 30x9.5R15 BFGs, although it can hold 31x10.5R15

Because the higher lift requires:

Angled metal shim block in the rear to tilt the axle shaft upward toward the transfer case or the drive shaft universals will wear out quickly.

The front control arms need to be adjusted or the lowers shortened in order to angle the front axle up towards the transfer case or the drive shaft universals will wear out quickly.

The transfer case must be lowered about 1" to 2" or the drive shaft universals will wear out quickly.

The pitman arm on the steering box must be replaced or the streering won't be right.

The front track bar must be lenghtened, and shaped differently at the right end or it will bind against the bracket it is bolted to.

The brake hoses, and ABS wires may need to be lengthened

The Diff vent hoses may need to be lenghtened.

At 4.5" of lift, lowering the t-case will not be neccesary. Nor will changing the caster of the front axle (i.e. shortening the LCA length). I have about 70k miles on my factory front driveshaft and u-joints, 30k of which are with 10.5" of lift and my t-case has been RAISED 1". U joints are fine. The pitman arm needs to be replaced due to the increased geometry in the drag link and tie rod angles, and is replaced with what is called a "drop pitman arm". A degree shim under the leafs in the rear is recommended to rotate the PINION upward, not the axleshafts; But I think thats what you meant, altenburgpj.

At 4.5" of lift, lowering the t-case will not be neccesary. Nor will changing the caster of the front axle (i.e. shortening the LCA length). I have about 70k miles on my factory front driveshaft and u-joints, 30k of which are with 10.5" of lift and my t-case has been RAISED 1". U joints are fine. The pitman arm needs to be replaced due to the increased geometry in the drag link and tie rod angles, and is replaced with what is called a "drop pitman arm". A degree shim under the leafs in the rear is recommended to rotate the PINION upward, not the axleshafts; But I think thats what you meant, altenburgpj.

I had been told by manufacturers of drop kits that the changing of the front caster angle, (rotating the front pinion upward) and rotating the rrear pinion upward along with droping the T-case are all recomended ways to reduce drivetrain vibration.

I agree with you that it should be fine without, because the front axleshafts use U-joints that just turning a corner have more angle in them than any driveshaft on a lifted vehicle.

You are correct I did mean a degree shim under the springs, over the axle.

Just curious, how many of your miles are in "Full Time" on smooth roads, as this is probably the only time you would notice front driveshaft vibration?