[Jeepaolic]

Hi I am presently buying a 1999 jeep XJ and the rear leaf have sagged. I also already have some BFG AT 245-75-16 tires on stock liberty rally wheels. My problem is I will need new leafs because a add a leaf will not live for long whith these sagged leafs(so I think...am I wrong?) and since the tires mesure 9.8 by 30.5 will I be ok with a BB kit or shoud I go with a RE3.5 super ride(I'M affraid it will look funny or that the tires will look too small for the RE3.5)I just don't know what to do....

please if you have any suggestions tell me , it will be greatly appreciated.

and if you have pics of similar setups, it would be great!

thanks in advance to you guys!! from my first jeep to this one, you always have been really helpfull in these situations.

[hermantherugger]

Here's a guy on the board with 245/75's on a 2" lift

[jonesXJ]

i also have 2in with 245/75/16s they are almost 31s

i think it would look good with an re 3.5

[sprintagogo]

I have a set of BF Goodrich MTs 245/75/16 with a 4.5" lift on an 00 XJ and they do look just right in a subtle but capable kind of way (as opposed to being totally Mad Max!). The official Goodrich figures state an overall diameter of 30.7" which gives a useful increase over stock without ruining accelleration. I have a 4.0ltr auto with 3.55 diffs and it still seems really perky even on the bigger tyres.

I would post a picture but I can't upload to my posts yet.

[XJ2000]

You guys that are running the 245/75R16... are you getting any rubbing? If so where/how much?

To the OP.... I would lift to 3.5" instead of just the BB. I should've gone to 3.5 initially. You may be happier that way, and you will still be ok with that size tire.

[Jeepaolic]

thanks for all the replies guys.... I am right now the proud owner of this 1999 black cherokee sport 4 doors. I think I'm gonna love this baby,just a little road test and I'm in love... ....

so since I have not seen pics of 3.5re on 245-75-16, and considering the big price difference (here complete RE6160 w/ shocks is 285$ CAD and RE6025 is 700$ CAD + shocks who goes around 200$CAD more,this goes for 900$CAD plus those f***** taxes.)

So to be economical, I was thinking maybe the RE6160 BB kit with a rear shackle upgrade could save the rear leafs, at least for a year or so... this will let me the time to test this new/used 190000km xj and see if it has any problems and I will be able to go wheelin a little and also be able to use my tires.

oh and by the way , how do the xj with a BB setup and some good 30'' tires in the trail.......do the underside does scrape all the trail like my liberty ? or is it ok ??


thanks again!

[XJ2000]

I would highly recommend replacing the rear leaf packs before adding a budget boost. How much are you sagging? If you do the BB then you may only be bringing the XJ back to the stock ride height or just a little more than that because of the sag. You may also have problems with rubbing with that size tire if you don't get the full 2" out of the lift.

I would recommend replacing the packs, and then adding the budget boost. Quadratec has heavy duty leaf packs that are direct replacements for the stock packs, and I don't think it would cost you more than $150 US to do that. If you do this, and add the BB to it you'd still come in under the $700 for the 3.5" lift.

As for your question about offroading, skid plates are always important. I currently wheel without them, and it is pretty nerve wracking. My Jeep has a 2" BB and 30's and it is extremely capable. I'm currently starting to add skids now. If I would do it all over again I would've probably started with skids first then the lift because even with just 2" you're still pretty close to the ground on the trails. I just make sure to be really careful and have some good spotters help me through the harder stuff. If you have good spotting then you can get through the trails safely (most of the time). The first skid plate I'll be doing (this week actually) is for the oil pan, then I'll probably do the gas tank skid.

Also make sure that you have recovery points front and rear so you have a way to get out.