[btxj89]

I'm shopping for a lift kit for my 99 cherokee 4.0 and I'm stuck between 3 or 4.5 inches of lift and if i should buy from Rusty's offroad or rough country. I was hoping somebody could help me by answering some questions that i have mainly:

"Would i need a transfer case drop kit and shims or a sye with either 3 or 4.5 inches of lift?"

"Would i need a control arm drop kit and drop pitman arm with either 3 or 4.5 inches of lift?"

And if anybody could tell me any experiences that they have had with either rustys or rough country to help me decide i would greatly appreciate it thank you very much.

[samuraisavr]

I hear that rustys is way high on shipping, but you will likely need a TC drop at the very least on a 97+. No LCA drop brackets for anything under 5". No drop pitman arm till you are way high. FWIW, i hear that the rough country is just that... ROUGH...

[kabowabo]

I ran a Rubicon Express on my '00, very little spring sag even after 2 years (the front half is now on my MJ). Ruff Country is a reasonable entry level lift, the springs are stiff though. Rusty's shipping is expensive/slow and good luck getting someone to the phone.

I bought my RE lift from Groupbuy4x4, they carry Clayton Offroad, Fab Tech, Full Traction, Old Man Emu, Rock Krawler, Rough Country, Rubicon Express, Skyjacker, Tera Flex and Zone Offroad. Their shipping charges are reasonable too. Jeep XJ Cherokee -

[Jon00XJ]

I have the Rough Country 4.5' AAL kit and contrary to popular belief my add a leafs have not sagged a bit in 2 years.

1. Yes, you will need a TC drop for either the 3 or 4.5 and no you don't "need" a SYE with the 4.5" kit. I have not ran one for 2 years. But it is a good idea to eventually get it.

2. no

[NiCk-]

I have the RC 4.5"

No you don't "need" sye
No you don't need drop brackets

[skyway0018746]

now even Rubicon express springs are going south, so i would find another brand, try bds havent heard ,much about them, except that its about a 1000$ but i just installed one of their kits on a grand Cherokee and their stuff looked pretty well built .
you dont need drop anthing except a t/ case

[rkates]

I'm running RC 4.5 and love it. The rough comments are just the shocks. You can take the shocks from their kit and make any brand rough. They have a 2.2 shock that is awsome, it really smooths out the ride. Size is up to you but I would go for full leafs

[kabowabo]

You really won't know about if you'll need a SYE or T-case drop until you install the lift. You may be lucky and have no drive line vibes at all. I've installed 3 XJ 3-4 inch lifts and the vibes varied with each jeep. My '92 with needed nothing, my son's '89 took a t-case drop, but my '00 was nearly undrivable and had to have a SYE.

[natetuff]

31" tires will look sort of silly if you go 4.5" of lift. you'll probably want to run 32" tires which might mean new wheels. most people say 32" tires are tolerable with stock gears, but not ideal. so there are a few more factors to consider than just sye or no sye when deciding between 3" and 4.5" of lift.

[Jeeperstevier]

i' have the rustys 4.5 and i get all sorts of compliments on how well it rides for a lifted jeep. I have 31s on it and i think it looks really good.. i almost went 32s, but for the time being, glad i didn't. I'd want another inch or two and deffinately a re-gear.. I can feel a decent loss in power just with stock gears and 31s.

[Jon00XJ]

Originally Posted by natetuff

31" tires will look sort of silly if you go 4.5" of lift. you'll probably want to run 32" tires which might mean new wheels. most people say 32" tires are tolerable with stock gears, but not ideal. so there are a few more factors to consider than just sye or no sye when deciding between 3" and 4.5" of lift.

I run 32's just fine with stock gears

[btxj89]

Thanks for all of the advice as of right now im leaning towards the rough country 3 inch seriesII with full leaf packs
mainly because its the most friendly on my wallet and even though i could probably pull it off state law prohibits me from having more than 4 inches of lift (unless i take a tip test) and im leaning towards rough country because they're 3 inch kit looks to be more complete compared to rustys but rustys 4.5 has more hardware like shims tc drop kit and so on and as far as tires unless i can find some decent used 32's i might have to wait until i can come up with more cash any more comments / advice keep it coming i really appreciate it

[Avenged]

Originally Posted by samuraisavr

I hear that rustys is way high on shipping, but you will likely need a TC drop at the very least on a 97+. No LCA drop brackets for anything under 5". No drop pitman arm till you are way high. FWIW, i hear that the rough country is just that... ROUGH...

No TC drop on a 97+ what about on my 92?

[Luke94XJ]

the easiest lift you cando is the 3", once you go any higher than that you will want to do a little more work, 3" will let you fit 31s without trimming and 32-33s if you cut that *****, I'd do a tc drop using some 1" square tube, even with the 3" lift.

I'd do the sye on the 4.5". I have seen firsthand what longterm hard wheeling can do to a 96+ style TC blew it right open, and the bearings were gone!! That was on a 3" lift. I'd do a sye its cheap insurance at $150-200.

The 96+ TC was not made for lifting, the longer output shaft is like putting a cheater bar on the internals. You don't need crazy vibes to wear out your bearings.

[tellicojeeper]

i have a rustys 6in on my tj. rustys 4.5 on 96 xj, and a 7.5 rustys long arm awaiting for my 99 xj. 96 xj had a skycrapper on it, best thing i ever did is sell that lift and replace with rustys, it was stiff like a 3/4 ton truck. i like rustys, they flex great, ride great, and have not givin me any probs at all. i rode with these guys a few times in tellico. best guys in the buisness. you break something rusty hisself will try to satisfy you. great guys great product