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suspension lift q's on a Cherokee

Tech Talk for Jeep owners.

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suspension lift q's on a Cherokee

Post by 86MUD »

Hi all

I normally hang around the rover forum, but a mate of mine has just bought a 97 Grand Cherokee. He is just getting into 4wdriving and wants to lift the car.

I am just suggesting a suspension lift at this stage. What shocks/springs work best on a Cherokee? The car will not be carry much more then a bit of camping gear and will only be driven on the beach and dirt tracks - nothing hardcore.

Cheers

Andrew
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Post by Gonzo »

How much lift do you want and what tyre size do you want to run?

I have a 3.5inch lift with a few trick bits to clear 31's on my ZJ

http://craighall.info/gallery/v/4wding/lift
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Post by franco »

OME or Rancho are good shocks.

Rubicon Express make premium lift kits, but pricy.

Where are you based? some directions to workshop/supplier may help your mates decision.
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Post by Gonzo »

franco wrote:Rancho are good shocks.
No they're not...
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Post by franco »

Gonzo wrote:
franco wrote:Rancho are good shocks.
No they're not...
care to elaborate? are they not suited to GCs? many jeepers (TJs and XJs) that use them preseumably for a good reason.
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Post by Gonzo »

They have a bad reputation among Jeep circles.

Jump over to the Ausjeepoffroad.com forum, bucketload more info there : )
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Post by franco »

Gonzo wrote:They have a bad reputation among Jeep circles.

Jump over to the Ausjeepoffroad.com forum, bucketload more info there : )
dude, ive been on ausjeep for a few years (under another alias) and aware of this recent thread http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/sho ... hp?t=55509

i realise opinions vary, but there are many happy users and I know quiete a number of them personally in TJs and XJs and wheel with em regularly (being an MJOC member).

I thought there may have been a reason they are not as good for GCs after your comment however, the only negative things ive heard from 4x4 mech specialists about them is that they dont suit heavier rigs like patrols and cruisers and people (on ausjeep) debating the adjustable settings for offroad vs black top. Some of those that may have shagged them out prematurely, may have not had their suspension set up correctly, ie. shocks too short for springs and lift height.

TW at USA4x4 sells and recomends them and he is a Jeep specialist.

On another note, I dont use them. I have Black Diamond (Warn) shocks and lift kit, it rides fairly stiff but handles well off-road. ON my next set for my XJ, i will consider Rancho, OME (US) or Rubicon first. :)
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Post by Wooders »

Billys or something similar (eg Rubicon Monotubes) is the way to go IMHO.....
I wouldn't say ranchos are bad....and I wouldn't say OME are bad - I've run both in the past - but I currently run edelbrock & IMHO they are a class above again and billys are the same.....Just they are a bit more $$ ;)
Cheers [url=http://www.wooders.com.au]Wooders[/url]
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Post by 86MUD »

Thanks for all the input.

I am only looking at doing a 2 inch suspension lift. I don't want to be mucking around with brake hoses (an anything else?) at this stage

Is there a recommended place in Brisbane to buy springs and shocks to suit?

I have always used Bilsteins in my Rover. Some say Procomp are good.

Cheers

Andrew
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Post by Gonzo »

Just personal opinion, everyone that i know that has used Rancho shocks has been unhappy.

Personally, I use OME shocks...


86MUD, I would suggest Wooders is the best person to buy anything Jeep related. His web address is http://www.wooders.com.au/
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Post by PK »

I'm very happy with my Rancho 9000's, better than the Nitrochargers I had before.
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Post by OzJeeper »

86mud. I have a 96 Grand and happily run MTR 31"s on a 36mm budget lift. At this height you don't have to worry about driveline angles or panard rod modifications.
Be aware the MTR's measure out to a "true" 30".
Gets me where I want to go on that budget. 30mm to 40mm lift - wait until you kill your standard shockies first. At this lift the shocks fitted will be OK. (less cash to spend)
FYI
Non-funded retiree.
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Post by AussieCJ7 »

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Post by Jeeps »

I've got ranchos in my Jeep and no issues :)
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Post by sasjeep »

go the rubicon short arm!!!!!!![img][img]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j88/sasjeep/12.jpg[/img]
96 XJ auto 6 1/2 " LIFT FR -REAR LOCKERS 35x12.5x15 Baja claws small vodoo doll for good luck
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Post by franco »

hey SAS Jeep - what diffs u run? ta, noice rig too.
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Post by suzuki boy »

franco wrote:hey SAS Jeep - what diffs u run? ta, noice rig too.
Franco do you need some info after seeing Mi37*s Kj at the 4x4 show!

Man it looks awsome!
Built swb sierra, building a lwb sierra ute and have a dmax for family camping
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jeep

Post by sasjeep »

Hey franco. dana 30 and 35 locked 456 gears. dana 44 and ford 9" on the way should be in by 2007 comp's.
96 XJ auto 6 1/2 " LIFT FR -REAR LOCKERS 35x12.5x15 Baja claws small vodoo doll for good luck
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Post by franco »

poor d35, how many times have you busted it, or do you take it real easssyyy? :shock: ...get the 44 and 9 in...it will be cheaper in the long run ... (do you mind telling me the ball park costs for the to diff/axles)!...farkin awesome rig man
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Post by Gonzo »

6.5 inches of lift on short arms must be interesting :shock:
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Post by Steve F »

Gonzo wrote:6.5 inches of lift on short arms must be interesting :shock:
Looks like it has drop brackets on the LCA mounts so shouldn't be any worse than abut 4" of lift.

Cheers
Steve
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Post by sasjeep »

ya steve that spot on 4" and 2" odd in spacers
96 XJ auto 6 1/2 " LIFT FR -REAR LOCKERS 35x12.5x15 Baja claws small vodoo doll for good luck
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Post by jimmyb »

It has low drop brackets which are supplied by RE on all kitsa above 4"

They make a hugh differance, but long arms make even more differance.
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Brissie lift

Post by Jeepster »

86 Mud - mate, tell your mate to try Footo's (Westside 4x4) at sumner park or hammonds over Capalaba way.
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