[Richard1997ZJ]

Hey guys, I am new here and had a few questions...

I've recently obtained a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. My plans are alike most other fellow jeepers.. I want it big but being new to this type of thing I am not really sure where to start. A buddy of mine has some 33x12.50 tires hes willing to sell me pretty cheap so I figure I'll just grab those... which starts my problems.

I'm really not sure what type of lift I will need to accommodate these tires, price is kind of an issue so I am trying to get enough lift to fit those tires and have a little room to flex.. but nothing to crazy. That will be later when I come into some more money. I was looking at Rough Country's 4.5" lift, is that enough? Does the kit come with everything I need or will I need other parts?

If anyone has any light to shine on this subject it will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks -Richard

[Technohead]

A 4 1/2" lift will be enough to get the tires bolted on. You will likely need to do a minor amount of trimming to the bumpers and the pinch seam at the back of the front wheel well. And make sure you drop the bump stops by about 3". I don't know if the RC kit comes with bump stops or not but they are easy enough to make.

[CBatZJ]

Hi, I am actually running the 4.5" rough country lift with 33x10.5 BFG's on my 96 Grand. I have had no problems and no rubbing at all. Though, I also run long sway bars and do not disconnect them while offroading. Being that they are longer bars, I still get the flex I want without worry of rubbing or the need to trim. I have enjoyed this set up very much.

[Richard1997ZJ]

Thanks.

I read somewhere that with a 3" lift on a ZJ you could get 33x12.50 on... was thinking about grabbing Jeep ZJ Grand Cherokee Suspension Lift for now.

Being inexperienced at this was just wondering... is that a full kit? will i need anything else to lift it. And could I later on add coil spacers to that? If i added coil spacers would I need anything new for the new added hight?

Thanks again.

[Richard1997ZJ]

Thanks.

Was looking at getting a Jeep ZJ Grand Cherokee Suspension Lift ...

Two questions... Could I later on add coil spacers to that to lift it alittle more?
If so what else would I have to get to complete the lift+spacers?

Is that 3.5" kit a full kit? Would I need to get anything else?

[CBatZJ]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.As far as my limited knowledge of lift kits go, I believe this is a front to rear sping converesion. In essence the kit takes the longer stock front springs and places them in the rear, giving you about a 3" lift. The kit then includes a new set of longer springs for the front. In a way it is a complete lift, but you are only getting two new springs.
As far as adding coil spacer's, you should be fine doing that, however once you reach about a 4" lift you should get longer brake lines.

[KHoff90]

Throw out that track bar bracket, you're going to want a front and rear track bar to help center your axles after the lift. Get adjustable if you plan to go higher in the future.

[Richard1997ZJ]

Correct the lift is a F>R swap. I dont want anything to crazy, mostly all i do here is some simple muddy trails, no rock climbing or anything. I will add more lift in the future.

And as far as the track bar bracket bball128, do you know where they could sell the individual brackets? I looked around a little and cant find anything. Whats a good place that carry them?

[JrMechanic]

Sigh. SEARCH! This is a well gone over topic. Anyways, here's the basics:

The RC kit is incomplete. The track bar relocation brackets are garbage, so if you get that kit you will want both front and rear adjustable track bars.

Iron Rock Off Road makes a 3.5" F>R swap kit, (NOT the foundation kit, it's incomplete.) This is a common kit, and if you are willing to do a good amount of trimming and get some wheels with 4-3.75" backspacing, you can fit 33's.

[Richard1997ZJ]

So the IRON ROCK OFF ROAD: ZJ 3.5" Lift Kit > Jeep ZJ Grand Cherokee Suspension Lift ?

And with the IROR kit i wouldnt need anything else? No longer CAs?

[JrMechanic]

Yes, the IRO kit is complete with what you need.