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[jonny ramrod]

Hi all,
 i am looking to fit 31's on my 1996td xj. What is the best way to lift it, where is best to get the kit from.? Cheers.....

[Dave69]

you can add spacers and shackels which is normally the cheap option, but the best way is for longer springs and coils for the front. How much lift are you looking  for ? 3.5" will clear 31's but you will have to reduce your steering lock to stop the wheels from rubbing. Llama 4x4 is one place to enquire or FTE but what you pay is a matter of brand choice, looks and pocket. your shocks will have to be replaced depending on lift height.

it is advisable to have disconnects for the front anti roll bar to aid in offroad articulation. The rear anti rollbar is normally junked. Above 4.5" in lift and you are in the realm of rear prop modifications. The brake line will need to be extended and the fronts either relocated or extended. So from a simple cost of buying a lift kit there are other areas to consider also

[tim_aka_tim]

I got mine from the states (when I lived over there in the UK), but the exchange rate was good
in 2006 and now not so. As Dave says, try Llama4x4 for a deal in the UK.

And you're going to hate me for saying this, but you really need to think hard before
sinking a chunk of change into an XJ with that engine.

[JamesH]

you're going to hate me for saying this, but you really need to think hard before
sinking a chunk of change into an XJ with that engine.

 

[Jeepers XJ]

And you're going to hate me for saying this, but you really need to think hard before
sinking a chunk of change into an XJ with that engine.
[/quote]

good advice from tim aka tim, not as strong as 4.0l

[jonny ramrod]

And you're going to hate me for saying this, but you really need to think hard before
sinking a chunk of change into an XJ with that engine.

good advice from tim aka tim, not as strong as 4.0l
[/quote]

i have had a few vehicles with the vm motor and never had a problem with them at all.....dont know why people dislike them so much...

as for the lift, about 3 inch. Dont want to start messing with props etc, done to much of that in the past. Just want a good capable laner.

[JamesH]

Depending on your budget I'd go for a Rubicon Express 3.5" kit with some Old Man Emu or Bilstein shocks and fit 31" mud terrains. I'd probably also fit new, adjustable upper and lower control arms, an adjustable track bar, re-gear to 4.10 ratio and fit Detroit Truetracs front and rear...

...and then do an engine swap 

The above is based on having my XJ at all different heights and setups from stock to 6" lift. For on and offroad and greenlane type offroading this is pretty much perfect. On a mixed setup of Old Man Emu lift kit and RE control arms with 31" BFG Muds (no lockers) I drove most of the big greenlanes in Wales and the Corrieyarrick Pass (sp?) in Scotland with no problems.

[tim_aka_tim]

My opinion of the VM is based on 5 years of members coming on here and having the
same old problems with them. I can't speak for the engine in a Rover 800 or Ford
Scorpio, but when it's in a Jeep Cherokee, it has problems.

[Dave69]

i think people know my opinion of the VM engine due to the number of times i have rebuilt my previous one. full head strip down and engine running in 4 hrs that's how many times ive done it to get it that quick. the 2.5td is great when it works and loads of torque but the 4ltr is more powerful and smoother with a proven reliability apart from wear and tear. lift the diesel then by a petrol when it all goes wrong.

the VM engine was fitted to the jeep, rover 800, and ford scorpio. Basically a marine engine adapted to work on the road with little developement in regards to durability in comparison to other engine manufacturers. the mk1 had heads with no valve stem seals fitted and due to the design none can be retro fitted. Due to the manufacturing process of these heads they had a notorious reputation for going porus around the 60k miles mark for no aparant reason. This pororisty could not be repaired so the head was scrap. The replacement heads bought now come with valve stem seals and a better manufacturing process along with this the reliability is greatly improved. The idea for individual heads was to reduce the risk of warping but that idea had little effect. So when you service the head you might as well service all at the same time. with the same engine in the all three makes of vehicles it doesn't mean they are interchangeable easily. I tried to fit the rover 800 into the jeep i had and it was a total nightmare as new engine mounts needed to be made as they didn't line up, plus lots of other little things so i just scrapped it and bought a petrol which over time worked out cheaper to run.


as for lift i have a 3.5 RE which i can't complain about the on road ride and it works well off road

[scotty]

do any of you guys get any vibration with 3inch and above lifts? how bad is ths vibration and what damage dose it do??


scotty

[jonny ramrod]

are the 4.10 ratio difs in the 2.5 petrol.?

[Green Jeep]

are the 4.10 ratio difs in the 2.5 petrol.?

Yes normally that's the case, must be the rarest Cherokee spec to find... 2.5 Petrol?

Have seen 31's on with just a 2" lift... other option is to trim arches.

We also took the lip of the control arm on the front and welded in a box section to put the strength back in, as it was the lip that the tyre rubbed on...



Went on to cut the arches and 34" tyres fitted with just 4.5" lift...

[gordy]

do any of you guys get any vibration with 3inch and above lifts? how bad is ths vibration and what damage dose it do??


scotty

I'm running a 4" lift and no vibes.

[Dave69]

3.5" and no vibes, will be going to 4.5" at the front and 5" at the rear so will see what happens. if you search on tinternet there are cases where people have had vibes with 2" lifts. I did have vibes after the 3.5" lift but then droped the transfer case by 1" and added 3% shims to the rear axle

[scotty]

cheers may just go to 4inch instead of messing at 3 then!i can allways drop the t case  spose if it gets bad.

cheers scotty

[Dave69]

updated

measured the lift after fitting and its 22.5" at the front and 22" at the rear (centre of wheel to wheel arch middle), so thats 5.5" of lift on the front and 5" on the rear. No change to the prop plus 3 degree shims on the rear and a 1" transfer case drop and there is a slight vibration from 35 to 40 mph. the vibration is similar to a wheel inbalance that is normally felt at 50mph. This doesn't mean yours will behave in the same way

[Alan whitlock]

If I were you I'd be more interested in finding out how to replace cylinder heads and turbochargers.......yes I know i have one but i have rebuilt the heads 3 times and have just replaced the engine.only had the jeep since 2005,and i have never come across such missmatch in all my life.I think the yanks were having a laugh with us limeys,they put that engine in to teach us a lesson.....gasoline is best!!!
If its any consolation to you I have a 3in pro comp lift and  good year wranglers it drives really good on and off road.and the rebuilt engine sounds great for the time being.