Sold the CJ and picked up an XJ...

jw33 · 10-23-2007, 08:01 PM

Sold my CJ-5 this last weekend and went an entire 24hrs. before I had to get another jeep. Picked up a '91 XJ 4.0 5spd. with an unknown lift and some junk 33x12.5 tires. It has some blocks on the rear leafs and 1-inch crossmember drop spacers. I already got some new 31x10.50 Goodyear MT/R Wranglers on some stock 5-spoke aluminum jeep wheels and the next step is a decent lift. I will be taking what is on the truck now off and getting an OME 3-inch suspension package and a JKS trackbar. Couple of quick questions....

The guy i bought it from said it had a 2.5 inch lift, but it looks like way more than that. Any ideas on what size/brand it could be? Can I re-use the front lower control arms with the OME suspension stuff or do I need to find some stockers? Also does the rear driveline angle look a little jacked up? I trailered the jeep home because it has a terrible vibration at speeds above 30mph. I'm hoping the suspension and tires will get rid of most of that....

Nihil · 10-23-2007, 08:05 PM

you're most definitely getting some vibes from the rear driveshaft. it has way too high a pinion angle. get a pic of the blocks/leaves. the control arms should work with any lift kit.

jw33 · 10-23-2007, 08:18 PM

I looks like a Big-Bubba Bodine or a Jim-Bob-Earl brand lift....

jeeper72 · 10-23-2007, 08:56 PM

That rear lift is just plain SCARY!!! Get rid of it!
How is the front lifted?

awheelerd · 10-23-2007, 09:31 PM

from your pics and comparing the looks of yours to others it looks like you've got about 4 inches of lift (dont quote me on that) you need to figure out exactly how much lift you've got and then ditch that sh!t in the rear and get the right leafs w/ the built in shims. the shim you've got looks like its for 6" lift. have you got the stock trac bar? if you do, you need to ditch it and get a JKS adj. trac bar. also with the size lift you appear to have, you need a slip yoke eliminator kit heres a link to a good one at a good price, http://www.performanceoffroadcenter....roducts_id=153
and a new rear driveshaft. IIRC a front ds from a xj will work but if you've got he $$$ id go with one from tom woods. hope some of this helps and welcome to the xj boards.

xjwheelin · 10-23-2007, 10:03 PM

wow thats a scary angle on that driveshaft...yeah time for the SYE if you wanna keep it that height, like awheelerd said.

jw33 · 10-23-2007, 10:09 PM

It's got some kind of aftermarket track bar in it now and the front just has some big coil springs. I'm going to call up DPG tomorrow and order the OME 3-inch suspension kit and a JKS adj. track bar.

KRelja · 10-23-2007, 10:48 PM

I'm 99 percent sure that those shims are installed the wrong way. That doesn't explain why someone would think that the rear of your jeep is safe, its still way fawked up. Flip the shims and see if the vibes go away. Either way the rear lift is horribleand unsafe. I would look to get a new set of leaves ( bastard pack maybe) a new track bar maybe some upper control arms. Keep the coils, if there are spacers take them outand forget about the uppers. Keep the procrap tires until they wear out. You are way above 2 inches of lift like stated above you are looking at around 4 inches. Not a bad looking heep but it looks like the previous owner had no idea what he was doing and instead of trying to fix it he sold it to you

jw33 · 10-23-2007, 10:57 PM

The Pro-comps are pretty much shot and I already have a new set of 31x10.5 Goodyear MT/R ready to go on....

sjbond67 · 10-23-2007, 11:46 PM

i think kr is right, they are pointing the right way but installed upside down. id leave the front lift and fix the rear install an sye instead of spending 1000 on ome

also looks taller than 4".... oh and looks like you may need to get longer brake lines

dubbleJ's · 10-24-2007, 01:24 AM

^^ Ya with that much gap on 33's I say thats about a 5.5" lift..

sheep · 10-24-2007, 03:12 AM

well other then the drive shaft and the messed up lift, you just need some better rims to go inside thos 31s and it will look awesome! how much did you pick the rig up for?

Ray H · 10-24-2007, 09:02 AM

OMG,
How could anyone install those blocks like that, then step back, look at their work, and say "Yep, looks good to me".
Amazing.

XJay96 · 10-24-2007, 02:27 PM

for a second there I thought that was my buddies old XJ... but its not.

These guys are right, ditch those rear blocks in favor of some leafs. For a temp fix, ditch that shim, it should help some of the vibes to go away.

You will find the cheapest place for a SYE is PORC.
http://www.performanceoffroadcenter.com/

Good luck and welcome!

Looking at your pictures again looks like a Rough Country lift, not bad, but not great either. Keep the height you wont be sorry. I would recomend some superflex arms for the front rather than those fixed arms. But Keep the coils, they work pretty well. You can sell off the rest of those parts to make up the difference.

Deadman 94 xj · 10-24-2007, 02:41 PM

Wow, that poor center bolt.

Not to turn this into another height thread but I'd keep it, looks good. I think stock height is something like 17" from center cap to the rim of the fender.

Edit: replace the blocks though

Nihil · 10-25-2007, 12:23 AM

ditch the blocks completely. they are just bad news.

keep the shims for the future, but measure their angle. you want about 1* shim per 1" lift. the shims are pointed in the correct direction, but they should be on the bottom of everything (leaves, block, etc.) The reason the pinion is angled so high is because the shim is above the block and the block is adding angle.

The leaf packs look okay, so I would keep them and get a set of quality shackles. Rustys sells 1.5" shackles here: http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchan...gory_Code=Leaf

Not only will the shackles replace the lift of the blocks they will also help with the pinion angle. You may not need a SYE after that. If you still have vibes, maybe a 2* shim should be added.

93XJSport · 10-25-2007, 01:10 AM

Thats scary stuff. I'd add more info but these guys got it covered.

jw33 · 10-25-2007, 07:10 AM

Put on my new wheels and tires today and saw on top of the rear leafs where it said "Rough Country". I'm going to be taking all of this stuff off so if anyone wants it, PM me with an offer. Again, I have no idea on the size or age so your guess is as good as mine....

10-23-2007, 08:01 PM	#1
jw33 Registered Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sold the CJ and picked up an XJ... Sold my CJ-5 this last weekend and went an entire 24hrs. before I had to get another jeep. Picked up a '91 XJ 4.0 5spd. with an unknown lift and some junk 33x12.5 tires. It has some blocks on the rear leafs and 1-inch crossmember drop spacers. I already got some new 31x10.50 Goodyear MT/R Wranglers on some stock 5-spoke aluminum jeep wheels and the next step is a decent lift. I will be taking what is on the truck now off and getting an OME 3-inch suspension package and a JKS trackbar. Couple of quick questions.... The guy i bought it from said it had a 2.5 inch lift, but it looks like way more than that. Any ideas on what size/brand it could be? Can I re-use the front lower control arms with the OME suspension stuff or do I need to find some stockers? Also does the rear driveline angle look a little jacked up? I trailered the jeep home because it has a terrible vibration at speeds above 30mph. I'm hoping the suspension and tires will get rid of most of that....

10-23-2007, 08:56 PM	#4
jeeper72 Registered Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 372 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That rear lift is just plain SCARY!!! Get rid of it! How is the front lifted? __________________ '98 XJ 2 door Sport, 4.6 stroker, AW4, tow package '78 J-20 360 TH400 QT SOA

10-23-2007, 10:03 PM	#6
xjwheelin Registered Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lynchburg VA Posts: 873 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	wow thats a scary angle on that driveshaft...yeah time for the SYE if you wanna keep it that height, like awheelerd said. __________________ 89 XJ Laredo...190k miles, 4.0, 3" lift, 30's, RE CA's, Optima battery, less rust, more metal "Hell, I'm almost always drunk when I'm posting on here. But, I'm an extremely functional alcoholic."

10-23-2007, 10:48 PM	#8
KRelja Registered Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 557 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm 99 percent sure that those shims are installed the wrong way. That doesn't explain why someone would think that the rear of your jeep is safe, its still way fawked up. Flip the shims and see if the vibes go away. Either way the rear lift is horribleand unsafe. I would look to get a new set of leaves ( bastard pack maybe) a new track bar maybe some upper control arms. Keep the coils, if there are spacers take them outand forget about the uppers. Keep the procrap tires until they wear out. You are way above 2 inches of lift like stated above you are looking at around 4 inches. Not a bad looking heep but it looks like the previous owner had no idea what he was doing and instead of trying to fix it he sold it to you __________________ 98 Classic 4.0l 4.5 RE kit 33x12.5 BF muds Powerslot rotors w/Hawk pads IPF headlight conv w/fatboys smoked lenses Currie Steering M.O.R.E motor mounts CSF 3 row radiator TJ flares WJ power leathers F/R Custom front and rear bumpers with tire carrier and quarters Alpine head unit amp and 10" sub Cobra 75wx-st JCR stage II sliders Rockratz roof mounted tire carrier Optima Red Top Interior Rack much more to list lots of stickers blah blah blah [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

10-23-2007, 11:46 PM	#10
sjbond67 Registered Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 351 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i think kr is right, they are pointing the right way but installed upside down. id leave the front lift and fix the rear install an sye instead of spending 1000 on ome also looks taller than 4".... oh and looks like you may need to get longer brake lines __________________ 99 XJ Sport, 4wd, 4dr, 4.0, 4" lift, 33s - SOLD 97 XJ, np231, LSD rear, 4.0, 4.5" lift 33s, porc sye

10-23-2007, 08:05 PM	#2
Nihil Registered Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Jersey Posts: 930 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	you're most definitely getting some vibes from the rear driveshaft. it has way too high a pinion angle. get a pic of the blocks/leaves. the control arms should work with any lift kit.

10-23-2007, 08:18 PM	#3
jw33 Registered Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I looks like a Big-Bubba Bodine or a Jim-Bob-Earl brand lift....

10-23-2007, 09:31 PM	#5
awheelerd Registered Join Date: May 2007 Location: johnston co. nc/ NCSU Posts: 45 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	from your pics and comparing the looks of yours to others it looks like you've got about 4 inches of lift (dont quote me on that) you need to figure out exactly how much lift you've got and then ditch that sh!t in the rear and get the right leafs w/ the built in shims. the shim you've got looks like its for 6" lift. have you got the stock trac bar? if you do, you need to ditch it and get a JKS adj. trac bar. also with the size lift you appear to have, you need a slip yoke eliminator kit heres a link to a good one at a good price, http://www.performanceoffroadcenter....roducts_id=153 and a new rear driveshaft. IIRC a front ds from a xj will work but if you've got he $$$ id go with one from tom woods. hope some of this helps and welcome to the xj boards.

10-23-2007, 10:09 PM	#7
jw33 Registered Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It's got some kind of aftermarket track bar in it now and the front just has some big coil springs. I'm going to call up DPG tomorrow and order the OME 3-inch suspension kit and a JKS adj. track bar.

10-23-2007, 10:57 PM	#9
jw33 Registered Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The Pro-comps are pretty much shot and I already have a new set of 31x10.5 Goodyear MT/R ready to go on....

10-24-2007, 01:24 AM	#11
dubbleJ's Registered Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 378 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	^^ Ya with that much gap on 33's I say thats about a 5.5" lift..

10-24-2007, 03:12 AM	#12
sheep Registered Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ogden, Utah Posts: 306 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	well other then the drive shaft and the messed up lift, you just need some better rims to go inside thos 31s and it will look awesome! how much did you pick the rig up for? __________________ Pics Of My Rig! (Pics updated 5-14-07) 1989 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer AW4, I-6 4.0 Mods: Rancho RS5000 Shocks, 2" lift, 16" Grand Cherokee OEM Factory Alloy Rims, Dynomax Turbo Exhaust, 2.5" pipe, Preformance Chip, 6 55w Halogen Desert Fox Baja Driving Lights, JVC 60w 5x3s, Pioneer 240w 6x9s, Dual XDMR7710 220watt Deck, 200Watt Amp Hooked Into 12" JBL Subwoofer, STICKERS THAT ADD A BILLION HP!!!!! LOL Soon To Add/Do: New Brake Pads On The Rear, Get New Stereo Mounting Bracket, Put New Tires And Rims On, Fix Main Seal(and other leaky stuff), Fix Short, New Shocks, New Leafs, Maybe New Lift Replacing Your Front Brake Pads?

10-24-2007, 09:02 AM	#13
Ray H Registered Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Falling Waters WV Posts: 2,295 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OMG, How could anyone install those blocks like that, then step back, look at their work, and say "Yep, looks good to me". Amazing. __________________ 99 TJ (2" spacer lift, 31" BFG ATs, Superwinch) 06 Kia, 06 F150, 97 Honda Shadow, KLR650, TW200.

10-24-2007, 02:27 PM	#14
XJay96 Registered Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 3,913 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	for a second there I thought that was my buddies old XJ... but its not. These guys are right, ditch those rear blocks in favor of some leafs. For a temp fix, ditch that shim, it should help some of the vibes to go away. You will find the cheapest place for a SYE is PORC. http://www.performanceoffroadcenter.com/ Good luck and welcome! Looking at your pictures again looks like a Rough Country lift, not bad, but not great either. Keep the height you wont be sorry. I would recomend some superflex arms for the front rather than those fixed arms. But Keep the coils, they work pretty well. You can sell off the rest of those parts to make up the difference. __________________ Project Overnight 01 XJ FOR SALE_____________________ The Parts XJ-Wrecked_____________ The CJ __________________________________

10-24-2007, 02:41 PM	#15
Deadman 94 xj Registered Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Steeler Country PA Posts: 1,505 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow, that poor center bolt. Not to turn this into another height thread but I'd keep it, looks good. I think stock height is something like 17" from center cap to the rim of the fender. Edit: replace the blocks though

10-25-2007, 12:23 AM	#16
Nihil Registered Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Jersey Posts: 930 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ditch the blocks completely. they are just bad news. keep the shims for the future, but measure their angle. you want about 1* shim per 1" lift. the shims are pointed in the correct direction, but they should be on the bottom of everything (leaves, block, etc.) The reason the pinion is angled so high is because the shim is above the block and the block is adding angle. The leaf packs look okay, so I would keep them and get a set of quality shackles. Rustys sells 1.5" shackles here: http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchan...gory_Code=Leaf Not only will the shackles replace the lift of the blocks they will also help with the pinion angle. You may not need a SYE after that. If you still have vibes, maybe a 2* shim should be added.

10-25-2007, 01:10 AM	#17
93XJSport Registered Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Long Island / New Paltz, NY Posts: 2,109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thats scary stuff. I'd add more info but these guys got it covered. __________________ 3" Rusty's/JKS/RE, 33" Pizza Cutter BFG MTs, 4.56s, Lotsa Armor Pictures

10-25-2007, 07:10 AM	#18
jw33 Registered Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Put on my new wheels and tires today and saw on top of the rear leafs where it said "Rough Country". I'm going to be taking all of this stuff off so if anyone wants it, PM me with an offer. Again, I have no idea on the size or age so your guess is as good as mine....

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