Jeep Cherokee XJ 3" Suspension Lift Install | Part 2 of 2 | Rough Country

[@Zoofactory]

For those of you in the northern states, especially in the midwest and northeastern part of the country.... If you're even thinking about getting a suspension upgrade or are actually planning on it - start with the PB Blaster NOW. I let my XJ soak in it over the course of months - using a couple of cans to hit the suspension and frame - spraying liberally every couple of weeks. The ability to move the installation forward without getting frustrated or slowed down is tremendous. I cannot stress this point enough for headache reduction. No broken bolts. Great Video! Thx OJ

[@projectbumblejeep4190]

I did the Zone Off Road 3" with the full leaf packs in the rear. Didn't come with the new lower arms, sway bar drop brackets, transfer case drop spacers or adjustable track bar. I ordered all the extra stuff though to compensate for the lift. I also had to change the rear shackles as mine were rotted to almost nothing. Very happy with then end result. I had replaced the rear shocks before I did the lift and snapped 3 of the 4 upper bolts. I chose to use an air hammer with a punch bit to get rid of the weld nuts with the snapped off bolts. For replacement hard ware, I used serrated flanged nuts and bolts, fishing the bolts through the former weld nut holes. Was fairly easy and with the serrated flange, I didn't have to use a wrench on the bolt to tighten the nuts. Seemed a good solution to me. Great presentation. God bless, stay well.

[@cmo1851]

I just did this exact lift and I gotta say thank you very much. Your video helped a lot. Appreciate it!😎

[@OneIotaOfaDifference]

Great front lift kit video. Very articulate and accurate. One thing though: A lot people don't know this, but WD40 dissolves rubber and all rubber compounds - including all types of latex. -- So the reason the upper coil seat was disintegrating - especially since it didn't look very old - was whoever installed it probably used WD40 to get it to slide up easier. Don't do that. Silicone spray will do the same thing without eating the rubber. KY jelly or spray will also do the job without dissolving the rubber - as we all know we would not want her KY to dissolve our rubber. -- WD40 is meant for metal applications and does an excellent job of making it easier to apply nuts to bolts, etc, and it also helps preserve metal too.

[@OutJeeping]

I agree, however that is all I had on hand. The old coil seats were the original from factory. WD40 shouldn't hurt the rubber if its just sprayed on a little. It only will break down the rubber if it's saturated in it for extended periods of time. There are many videos that prove this theory.

[@OneIotaOfaDifference]

@@OutJeeping Not true. Like acetone will eat plastic and it's impossible to not hurt plastic by applying just a little acetone. Wherever it touches it, there will be a chemical reaction that will damage the plastic. The same is true of WD40. True, it would take a lot of WD40 a while to do serious damage to the entire upper coil seat - but wherever WD40 touches rubber on the coil seat, there will be the same caustic chemical reaction it has on all rubber. If you had nothing else - silicone or some other household non-reactive lubricant - you could use synthetic oil if you have that as it doesn't react to rubber, and if you don't have it - it would be a good addition to using in your straight 6 and around the shop. It's just something to remember, because if we get used to using something that's not meant for that use, we tend to use it more and more until we forget it's not applicable for that use. And other's that see you do it - who don't know the facts of the matter - will do as you do and likely use it more aggressively and do serious damage in a short while to the brand new rubber part.

[@gregphillips1998]

Very good tutorial. Getting ready to put the same lift on my 93 XJ.

[@jamesvictor2599]

Nice detailed Video.Austin. Have enjoyed your Videos for awhile. Keep them coming !!!!!

[@davethewelder1]

Very instructional, very specific. Well done.

[@daghbos]

Excellent explanation and great presentation

[@LZDEN]

very nice work Austin, and its good to see you using grease on the bolts on reassembly.

[@MikeH_41-33_LII]

Love your videos. A lot of good stuff that translates to my TJ. You’re videos are very informational and professional. Great work. Big fan of your content here in PA. ✌🏻

[@OutJeeping]

Much appreciated!

[@dandahermitseals5582]

I needed this for my 87 MJ. Dandahermit

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job on the install Austin👍👍It looked like it went really well for you😁😁

[@danielmanby208]

Thanks for the videos on this bc I have a 2000 red XJ and gonna do the exact same thing...trying to get in touch with rough country

[@ignaciolopez9053]

Great job, I got 98 XJ I’m going to do 3 inches lift too

[@markhammerness6568]

Hamm Used your series of 3 videos to install complete 3 inch lift on my 1994 XJ, the video was very helpful and well done. I live in the west so didn't have all the corrosion issues you had. As to the suspension at this point I am not impressed with the performance it is like having no suspension at all. My old worn out old man emu 2.5 lift performed better and when it was new was great. At this point all I think rough country is good for is making knife blades. If you have any thoughts I'd love to hear them. FYI I'm the original owner and have been off roading for 30 plus years.

[@OutJeeping]

I will agree that they do run stiffer than most other suspension companies. Old Man Emu on the other hand is known to be the softest riding suspension so you are comparing them on both sides of the spectrum. Yes there are better kits out there but RC is known for having the most popular lift due to it's affordability. I have seen way worse cobbled together lifts from eBay. RC lifts have also been engineered to become the simplest installation for most DIY'ers without having to adjust everything in the suspension. I don't think RC is necessarily the worst lift you can get because they have their place in the market for some consumers needs.

[@aaronm6710]

Great video!

[@timsmith205]

Doing the same job next weekend... how much do you think the front axel needs to drop to remove/add coil springs? My 2 sets of jack stands give me about 7 inches.... enough?

[@connortank3324]

install bushwhacker fender flares and put 33 by 12.5 on them. Just did it on mine and it looks great!

[@manuelsolano7525]

IS looking good I have a 01 whit 4.5 RC for 5 years no problems 33s BFgoodrich daily driver.

[@EigerSummitOffroad]

Wheels not sure about (I use stock steel 15") but tires I'd highly recommend 31" Goodyear Duratracs.

[@TheKIRKSOUND]

Once again, LOVE the video! Fantastic camera angles and lighting, and excellent (and mechanically sensible) narration and instructions. Seems like the (new?) sway bar bushing was urethane. Is that right? And also, are you lowering the transfer case to correct the driveline angles?

[@OutJeeping]

Yup polyurethane bushings and later on I installed a SYE kit for the drive line angles.

[@patriot72]

Hey Austin, where did you land with adjusting the sway bar links with the drop brackets? And how did you make sure that they are both evenly adjusted? Also, did you notice any issues with them?

[@mrjbone719]

I dont quite understa d what you did for the drivers side LCA. You did something to the track bar to get the bolt aligned?

[@OutJeeping]

I used a ratchet strap to move the axle under the vehicle to get my bolts aligned for the LCA and track bar.

[@mrjbone719]

I got but the LCAs in with a ratchet but can't figure out the track bar. Did you do track bar then LCA or does that not matter?

[@XJRenovations]

Your parts list doesn't include brake lines. Is the 3" kit ok with the stock brake lines?

[@supertek6585]

Thank you for the video. Don't know if you've already posted the update on how the suspension lift held up and the shocks. I have a question I also have the Chrysler 8 and quarter rear end. Did the Jeep come out level or was the Rear up higher. The way mine sits right now is the back is about half an inch taller and I can't stand it😅

[@OutJeeping]

Mine is the same way. I think the front coils will sag over time.

[@BenjiWYHS]

Your videos were extremely helpful when it came to putting on my lift kit over the weekend, thank you!

[@OutJeeping]

Great to hear!

[@miketartaglione2696]

@OutJeeping Was wondering if you could help me, i just installed my 3” lift following your video and everything came out perfectly. But im having an issue with death wobble as soon as i reach over 45 mph. Not sure what to do if you or anyone could help that would be awesome

[@OutJeeping]

Check over all steering and control arm joints for wear and play.

[@OneIotaOfaDifference]

My front 3" lift kit on my 2001 Cherokee XJ does not have the frame extender for the sway bar, and it's in perfect alignment with the rest of the linkage. Question: Why was the frame extender for the sway bar necessary on this XJ install?

[@OutJeeping]

It really just depends on how the lift is put together. Either you could have longer sway bar links or frame drop brackets.

[@tomasdagonbert6252]

hey! Nice video! did you get any vibrations after installing this lift kit?

[@OutJeeping]

From the driveshaft yes, but I later installed an SYE kit.

[@logangleason]

do you have to remove the sway bar link for the front axel? because mine is the original and i don’t want to go through the work of replacing it when it snaps.

[@OutJeeping]

To remove the spring you will need to. Otherwise you will need to use coil spring compressors.

[@xs650abear6]

Did you find the front bump stops to be too long and have to eventually cut them down or are they ok as installed?

[@OutJeeping]

They weren't too long for me. I have about 3-4" of suspension up travel before they make contact.

[@xs650abear6]

@@OutJeeping ok, Thank you and thanks for a great video.

[@Pearldrawolf1]

Hey kinda a off question but you are my favorite XJ KZbin. I've been looking for LED bulb replacement for the license plate and third brake light. Any idea where I can find some?

[@OutJeeping]

Amazon has a wide range of sizes and brands. The license plate bulb is a size 168 and the third brake light is a 921. I would then find the LED bulbs in those sizes then you should be set.

[@Deadbuck73]

Watching these videos gives me hope for someday! Did you take measurements before and after?

[@OutJeeping]

I did not but it is very clear it is at least 3". The rear is a little higher but the leafs will settle a little over time.

[@Deadbuck73]

@@OutJeeping thank you for the reply! Looks great!

[@Humorem15]

do you plan on doing a steering box brace or track bar brace on this build?

[@OutJeeping]

I wasn't planning on it with this build but I may replace the steering box spacer with something more beefy.

[@JCArage]

PLEASE does Anyone know where I can get sway bar links and brake lines that would work with this 3" kit ?

[@dandahermitseals5582]

So where's part one??

[@AngelPerez-uj8jl]

Donde comprar el kit de 2 pulgadas ...por favor

[@OverlandingJoy]

What would be a reasonable fee for installing this same kit on my 2001 xj?

[@OutJeeping]

Depends what shop you go to. With shops that specialize in lifted vehicles it will most likely be cheaper there. But it's always free if you do it yourself.

[@OverlandingJoy]

@@OutJeeping thanks.

[@user-dw4cv3xq5u]

I would’ve liked to have seen the finished product, otherwise good video!

[@OutJeeping]

It will be shown off better when I get new tires and wheels in the near future.

[@JediEwok1865]

Rough Country's site in the FAQ section says 1.5" wheel spacers are required with stock wheels on this kit, but no install videos I have seen use them. Have you encountered any clearance issue? Any idea why you would need spacers?

[@OutJeeping]

Rough Country recommends the largest tire to be used with this lift without any other modifications is a 31" tire. If you mount those 31" tires on the factory 15x7" wheels then you will need wheel spacers.

[@armandor.garcia6208]

would you need an SYE for this lift?

[@OutJeeping]

You can either do a SYE or t-case drop with only a 3" lift if you encounter rear drive line vibrations.

[@agumon51]

What wheel/tires did you end up going with? I recently did a 3 inch lift on mine and am considering 31s. I have 15 inch wheels, but have to refer to my friend what the depth is. Hopefully, 15x8 or 15x7.

[@OutJeeping]

I went with 31" Falcon Wildpeak AT3 and 15x8" wheels.

[@agumon51]

@@OutJeeping did you have to trim to clear any rubbing?

[@Raiz48]

waiting for that tyre you gonna put

[@OutJeeping]

I'm thinking about some 31" Falcon Wild peak AT3W

[@agumon51]

which anti seize do you use?

[@OutJeeping]

I use the silver stuff for fasteners.

[@796andy2]

real happy with how mine came out ! check it out . 99 xj 2door 31' federal couragia (cheap !)

[@kennethsmith6470]

You're long winded, but VERY informative, thanks for the info...

[@scottdoubleyou563]

Unless you're planning on trimming the front fenders and doing a cut 'n fold on the rear wheelwells, dont go any bigger than 31x10.5 R15's. As for a good and inexpensive tire, go with Goodyear Wrangler AT's. I've got them on my 2000 XJ, and they're great so far. Good on road, and pretty decent in the South FL mud. Lockers front and rear are a must down here though. Something to think about.

[@adenthiessen3245]

Thank you so much I needed that info

[@FreeznOffRoad]

Can't what to get 1000 subs!

[@michelantoniomorin2201]

💯💯

[@SnowMexican690]

Man not everyone's got a lift just lying around😂

[@OutJeeping]

Yeah same, I was lucky enough to borrow a shop for a day to do this lift.

[@SnowMexican690]

@@OutJeeping I have a question though. Would it have been easier for you to take the springs out with just spring compressors? My issue right now is getting the lift kit out of an old jeep and getting the regular springs in and I figured I could learn something by watching the video and following the same sort of steps. I cannot find a video on KZbin on how to get a lift kit out and install the original springs

[@mrjbone719]

Yeah, be like chris fix and use a thumb tack and scissors to install the lift😂