Help me with my setup!

GTEIS300 · 02-08-2010, 04:41 PM

Hi! Im pretty new to this 4x4 world so I am looking for some help. I have lived in the performance world for sometime and I am picking up an XJ for a fun daily driver. At THIS moment in time I dont have plans to adventure onto extreme trails. Dont quite need a monster yet

Im trying to setup my XJ for typical trails for camping, light exploring, and make my way through snow. Im tired of my 2dr daily and want something I can toss the dogs in and not have to worry.

Im trying to figure out a good suspension setup for my need but there are so freakin many options out there. Ive found a few setups pictures I like but not sure on what would work for what I need. There is so many variable that can change the ride height it seems.

Here is a few pictures I found:

I like black

So I guess my question is what do I need? I was trying to find a 2" BB kit but couldnt really find any. Next was the Rough County 3" Kit. Lastly is tires. Im lost with these.

Anyways thanks for the help!

GTEIS300 · 02-08-2010, 04:43 PM

Even this one looks decent.

I think this one is stock height just with larger wheels?

billabongopblue · 02-08-2010, 05:30 PM

Looks like you are looking in the 2-3" range. Which is the best way without some major modifications. Also in the 30-31" tire range.

For 3" I suggest Rough Country and would make sure you go with a full leaf setup as it is worth it for the extra money.

For 2", i would make sure your leafs are in adequate shape for a Add A leaf, or shackle. Best yet would be a bastard pack. Then some coil spacers up front.

For tires, it really depends on what you are looking to do, and as a daily driver it seems a good all terrain tire is what you need. BFGoodrich All Terrain are among the most popular. Also some wheels in the 15x8 with 4" backspacing would fit you wheel.

Try some searching on lifts, and you will see a lot of this repeated over and over! Good Luck!

**Apostle** · 02-08-2010, 05:31 PM

depends on budget. what i would recommend is try to find a jack and lift the jeep. figure out how high you like it, then measure from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the flare. think 17" is stock. you have to not imagine your wimpy tires there, just the height

Mighty Thor · 02-08-2010, 05:50 PM

Just another option. You can skip the lift initially and open up the fenderwells and add new fender flares for about the same money. An advantage is that you don't change any suspension geometry and so don't usually encounter any of the occasional suspension issues that go along with lifts etc. Road stability is not changed substantially and you can still add tire size to get a little more ground clearance.

Stock Jeeps are pretty capable and my nephew can drive his stock Grand Cherokee right behind my lifted XJ on many of our outings. The primary reason for lift is to add tire size and that is usually to get the body higher up over rocks and similar obstacles. If you open the wheel wells up and get the bigger tires on you may find you have all you want. If you later decide to add lift, you may find that you can go with a smaller and thus less expensive lift to clear the tires you want.

GTEIS300 · 02-08-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billabongopblue

Looks like you are looking in the 2-3" range. Which is the best way without some major modifications. Also in the 30-31" tire range.

For 3" I suggest Rough Country and would make sure you go with a full leaf setup as it is worth it for the extra money.

For 2", i would make sure your leafs are in adequate shape for a Add A leaf, or shackle. Best yet would be a bastard pack. Then some coil spacers up front.

For tires, it really depends on what you are looking to do, and as a daily driver it seems a good all terrain tire is what you need. BFGoodrich All Terrain are among the most popular. Also some wheels in the 15x8 with 4" backspacing would fit you wheel.

Try some searching on lifts, and you will see a lot of this repeated over and over! Good Luck!

Thanks. Ive been looking at the Lift Setup thread over and over.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mighty Thor

Just another option. You can skip the lift initially and open up the fenderwells and add new fender flares for about the same money. An advantage is that you don't change any suspension geometry and so don't usually encounter any of the occasional suspension issues that go along with lifts etc. Road stability is not changed substantially and you can still add tire size to get a little more ground clearance.

Stock Jeeps are pretty capable and my nephew can drive his stock Grand Cherokee right behind my lifted XJ on many of our outings. The primary reason for lift is to add tire size and that is usually to get the body higher up over rocks and similar obstacles. If you open the wheel wells up and get the bigger tires on you may find you have all you want. If you later decide to add lift, you may find that you can go with a smaller and thus less expensive lift to clear the tires you want.

Thanks. This is something I have not heard of. This maybe my best route. I dont need a monster, quite yet. Just something to get me over the snow and take me on some trail for camping, hiking, and biking.

Jeep89JV · 02-08-2010, 06:40 PM

Bastard Pack(search it) with a set of tires that fit your needs.

From how you're speaking on your needs i'd run a set of BFG Ats or Goodyear Duratracs with a set of 4" bs rims. Chop your fenders if you're willing to and then eventually you'll be comfortable and look to go higher.

GTEIS300 · 02-08-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeep89JV

Bastard Pack(search it) with a set of tires that fit your needs.

From how you're speaking on your needs i'd run a set of BFG Ats or Goodyear Duratracs with a set of 4" bs rims. Chop your fenders if you're willing to and then eventually you'll be comfortable and look to go higher.

Chopping fenders shouldnt be a problem. Ill check out the bastard pack. Thanks

**xjfever** · 02-08-2010, 07:49 PM

If you have the money for it, I would just go with a nice 3" lift and a set of 31" tires. If you go with a set of steel wheels they are cheap and 15x8 with 4" backspacing will look good with that set-up. The rough country 3" kit is pretty nice. Rubicon express makes a 2" budget boost with a full length add-a-leaf and spacers along with new shocks. This will work nice with 30" tires. If your leafs are in good shape then you will be okay using a full length add-a-leaf. Just steer clear of the short AAL's they will sag quickly and give a rough ride.

GTEIS300 · 02-08-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xjfever

If you have the money for it, I would just go with a nice 3" lift and a set of 31" tires. If you go with a set of steel wheels they are cheap and 15x8 with 4" backspacing will look good with that set-up. The rough country 3" kit is pretty nice. Rubicon express makes a 2" budget boost with a full length add-a-leaf and spacers along with new shocks. This will work nice with 30" tires. If your leafs are in good shape then you will be okay using a full length add-a-leaf. Just steer clear of the short AAL's they will sag quickly and give a rough ride.

Im leaning towards this setup, unless the Jeep I pick up is already lifted...

Yea I havent even bought one yet and I got the bug.. Yes..its that bad..dont laugh.

303_XJ · 02-08-2010, 07:58 PM

I got the 'bug' and am surprised my wife hasnt left me yet because of it

For all holidays including Valentines Day I ask for Jeep parts. She hates it.

Definitely check out Rough Country, the customer service there is awesome

Spokes · 02-08-2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTEIS300

Even this one looks decent.

I think this one is stock height just with larger wheels?

decent?!?!?! lol thats my jeep... stock height on 235 definity dakota m/ts.... this is how it sits now, i added a RC series 2 3" lift.

GTEIS300 · 02-08-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spokes

decent?!?!?! lol thats my jeep... stock height on 235 definity dakota m/ts.... this is how it sits now, i added a RC series 2 3" lift.

Haha.Looks very good. How do you like the lift?

Spokes · 02-08-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTEIS300

Haha.Looks very good. How do you like the lift?

thanks! and i love the lift! it rides A LOT better, when i bought my jeep it had heavy duty shocks on it so it rode like a mack truck. now its just a littler stiffer than a stock xj. but i also run my tires at 35psi (highway max cold setting) so im sure that stiffens it up a little. i would deffinatly buy this lift again.

GTEIS300 · 02-08-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spokes

thanks! and i love the lift! it rides A LOT better, when i bought my jeep it had heavy duty shocks on it so it rode like a mack truck. now its just a littler stiffer than a stock xj. but i also run my tires at 35psi (highway max cold setting) so im sure that stiffens it up a little. i would deffinatly buy this lift again.

Good to know! The Jeep I have picked out has a lift currently but I am waiting for the owner to get back to me.