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I've been driving my 2001 XJ for 4 days now since I did the 3" lift, 31x10.5" tires, and got an alignment done. After seeing how it handles and drives since the lift, I have a couple of questions for people with more experience with lifted vehicles... The steering now feels extremely sloppy. Is this normal? I can turn the wheel 4 inches in either direction and it doesn't really adjust the steering at all. Also if there is a slight crown in the road I have to turn the wheel against the crown to keep the vehicle straight. This was not a problem before the lift and now seems to be a pretty big problem. The steering just feels overall very sloppy compared to before the lift. I also noticed that when I hit the brakes fairly hard, the Jeep pulls to the left pretty considerably, almost as if the rear of the truck wants to come around to the passenger side. I am planning on doing new pads and flushing/replacing the brake fluid anyway, but the brakes felt pretty good and at least consistent before the lift. I also installed an adjustable track bar which the alignment person didn't understand how to use, so I know I need to bring the front axle about half an inch to the driver's side of the car, but I can't imagine that causing the brakes and steering to be so out of whack. I am assuming this is all because the Jeep is 9 years old and has 130,000 miles on it, and that the problems were probably there before but have been accentuated by the lift. I may be wrong though, and since my only experience modifying cars thus far have been lowering them rather than raising them, I am in new territory.
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Sep 9, 2010 21:25
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If you noticed a change in steering feel it's probably not due to age alone. Don't hesitate to bring it to a different shop for an alignment. It wouldn't be the first time that a shop did a lovely job on aligning a lifted 4x4. The stock drag link and tie rod on the XJ are hollow. Check to make sure that they aren't flexing under the additional stress of larger tires, and especially check the drag link as it's now operating at a steeper angle unless your kit included a drop pitman arm. If you're getting flex on these parts, the easiest way to upgrade is to swap out with ZJ (Grand Cherokee) links, which are solid. You could probably use a new steering stabilizer on there, that will help a lot with the bump steer, but if your steering gear really is worn out, this will just behave as a band-aid. It's a cheap band-aid though, most stabilizers are about $30-50. Check your tie rod end joints and ball joints of course. Check to make sure that one of your rubber brake lines aren't getting hung up, pinched, or too short for the lift. If a line is kinked this could probably cause issues in the proportioning valve or ABS if you have it, resulting in the uneven braking.
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Sep 9, 2010 21:52
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Thanks for the input. The more I think about it, the more I think the alignment was just not done correctly. I read on NAXJA that national chains will put the settings to factory spec instead of what is needed for a lifted truck, and I honestly didn't even think about that. I took it to Firestone for the alignment and I probably should have taken it to a 4x4 specialty shop or something. Well that was an expensive lesson. I don't really see any flex on the drag link or pitman arm, which seems normal for a 3" lift. Especially since this Cherokee had the Up Country package which gave it a 1" higher lift from the factory, so really it's just 2" higher than stock. Fixing the alignment should help the steering issue hopefully, which just leaves figuring out the brakes. It does have ABS, but the lines all seem free and clear of kinks or being over extended. Hopefully new pads, shoes, and a fluid flush will help out.
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Sep 9, 2010 22:47
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Don't know about XJs, but on my YJ I had the same problem and it was fixed after replacing rotors and tightening the steering box. It wasn't so out of whack though, mostly like 2". The ZJ links is also another common mod for XJs. If this is your first Jeep, welcome! Also welcome to the world of replacing parts with non-stock ones. It's a common joke among Wrangler people where you usually buy more parts that are not from Jeeps than those made for it from parts stores (at least people with older models)
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Sep 10, 2010 01:56
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I don't think I've heard of one person with a lifted Cherokee that hasn't said there is some problem with steering and it being sloppy afterwards. There's lots of info out there about steering braces and basically beefing up every part in the front to make it more bearable.
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Sep 10, 2010 02:37
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incredibull posted:Sorry I assumed that you were looking for a newer used TJ. I don't know what I'm looking for yet. All I know is that I want a Wrangler. I probably wouldn't seriously consider one with a swapped engine unless I knew the person. I had a Comanche years ago with the 4L and it was plenty for me. Don't think I would want the 2.5L but then I've never driven one.
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Sep 10, 2010 03:10
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For what it's worth my XJ with 2" lift and 31" tires doesn't have sloppy steering. I do notice a little bit of uneven braking when really slamming on the pedal though, like a small tug to the passenger side. I think it might be related to that caliper being recently replaced when the previous owner locked it up.
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Sep 10, 2010 05:08
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mod sassinator posted:For what it's worth my XJ with 2" lift and 31" tires doesn't have sloppy steering. I do notice a little bit of uneven braking when really slamming on the pedal though, like a small tug to the passenger side. Thats how mine is too. 3.5" lift with 31's. It is my first lifted vehicle (or even SUV for that matter) so it feels a bit weird to me anyway. I definitely need an alignment as my steering wheel is about 15 degrees clockwise from where it should be.
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Sep 10, 2010 05:11
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That's just the drag link, you can bust it loose with some vice grips and get it centered in your driveway. Not that getting a professional shop alignment isn't out of the question as you usually need one after a lift anyway.
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Sep 10, 2010 05:43
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For alignments make sure you go to a shop that knows what their doing with lifted vehicles.
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Sep 10, 2010 05:51
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Do XJ's have the same caster problem when you lift them that TJ's get? Also, don't XJ's have a solid front axle, which means all that is adjustable is the toe-in and drag link length? Is he wasting money on adjustments he can make in the driveway? Short of buying new parts, anyway.
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Sep 10, 2010 06:28
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EightBit posted:Do XJ's have the same caster problem when you lift them that TJ's get? Yes they have solid front axles. What I am learning (complete 4x4 noob) is that I can adjust toe, drag link, and caster to a limited degree. I also have an adjustable track bar that I can use to move the axle laterally. I'll be fixing everything this weekend myself. I found some good write-ups on doing my own alignment adjustments. example: (http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoAlignment.htm) Does this seem sound?
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Sep 10, 2010 06:39
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I hope this wasn’t posted here before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgwF8mdQwlw Army guys strip down and rebuild a Jeep in 4 minutes.
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Sep 10, 2010 14:34
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That is amazing.
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Sep 10, 2010 15:18
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What exactly is holding it together if it can be stripped that quickly?
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Sep 10, 2010 23:08
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EightBit posted:What exactly is holding it together if it can be stripped that quickly? Velcro.
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Sep 11, 2010 00:09
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EightBit posted:What exactly is holding it together if it can be stripped that quickly? I'm guessing they used cotters and pins.
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Sep 11, 2010 03:27
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wormil posted:I don't know what I'm looking for yet. All I know is that I want a Wrangler. I probably wouldn't seriously consider one with a swapped engine unless I knew the person. I had a Comanche years ago with the 4L and it was plenty for me. Don't think I would want the 2.5L but then I've never driven one. (on preview, sorry if this is a bit long winded) I own a '91 YJ, and basically what you're getting into is a vehicle that will go forever as long as you maintain it properly. If you have no mechanical aptitude at all, and no interest in learning, don't buy any Jeep unless you want to pay a shop. poo poo's gonna break, especially if you wheel it. To be perfectly honest, approximately half the fun is replacing and upgrading parts you just broke. If it broke, it wasn't strong enough, so an upgrade is necessary, and once you have that stronger/newer/better part in, you're gonna want to take it out again, and as usual, you'll find the weak link. Whatever you do, do not purchase a 2.5 liter YJ, unless you're buying it for parts to put on a 4.0 YJ you already own. The axles are particularly useful, but otherwise... meh. I've driven one exactly once, just to see what it would be like, and as hundreds of others have aptly stated: it can't even get out of its own way. I have been operating on a shoestring budget with my YJ for the last 2 years, and now I finally have a decent paying job so I am going to do all the things I really wnated to before: SYE, 4.10 or 4.56 gears in the axles, hopefully replacing the D35 with a 44 or a 8.25 (whatever is the proper width, don't want to deal with narrowing), and all that jazz. I never did more than an oil change in my life before I bought my YJ, and since then, I have learned so much. I've torn down most of my engine, I've busted and replaced the spider gears in my rear axle, I've replaced wheel bearings, learned everything about the suspension system, and chased electrical gremlins with a flashlight and a bottle of Scotch at 2:30 in the morning. Never once was I angry about it.  Anyway... that brings me to my new dilemma - in my free time I have been working at replacing the timing chain on my YJ, and after I got the radiator and fan out of the way, removed the alternator, loosened the power steering pump, and removed the belt, I got to the harmonic balancer. Due to the grease and grime (despite repeated degreasings and wire brushings), I did not realize there was a 3/8" thick steel washer on the front of the balancer itself, so I got the gear puller on there and went at it with a breaker bar that had an 18" wrench looped on the end of it. It was moving slowly, so I figured I was doing something right, and then -- FUCKIN SNAP! -- I reamed the harmonic balancer a new rear end in a top hat. I had pics but waffleimages is hosed so I'll post them later. Too lazy to find an alternate. Anyway, the part that slips onto the crankshaft is still very much on the crankshaft, and the whole outer part that the belt rides in is unhappily disconnected from it. It was spectacular, but I'm not quite sure how I'm going to get the rest of it off of there without severely destroying everything else. 
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Sep 11, 2010 04:12
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I live. I ride a yam. I'm not sure what to make of Chrysler's Jeep marketing campaign.
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Sep 13, 2010 16:48
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The more recent stuff seems to be less offensive to me than the earlier stuff (like that godawful hair salon Wrangler commercial, and the stupid, stupid clocks). The Grand Cherokee ads, on the other hand, are badass. Every time they're on I feel compelled to run out and buy several new Grand Cherokees.
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Sep 13, 2010 19:24
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dorquemada posted:I live. I ride a yam. Basically, every commercial Chrysler makes is them saying "Yes we RAPED Jeep, but AMC said it was okay "
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Sep 14, 2010 01:20
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I really like this commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqbSNy9jU2U "It is made here, it is made well". Johnny Cash doesn't hurt sell it either. I kinda believe it too, the new suspension system is supposed to be pretty tricked out for off road, although who would put their new 40k ZJ against that?
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Sep 14, 2010 03:12
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CommieGIR posted:Basically, every commercial Chrysler makes is them saying At least Jeeps are still being made. It could have worse. *cough* Like what happened to that other division of AMC.
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Sep 14, 2010 06:55
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A world without Jeeps is a world I don't want to live in. 
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Sep 14, 2010 08:48
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mod sassinator posted:A world without Jeeps is a world I don't want to live in. They are the only interesting vehicles chrysler makes.
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Sep 14, 2010 13:55
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fordham posted:They are the only interesting vehicles chrysler makes. Aw, c'mon. What about that bitchin' PT Cr... ha ha ha ugh, I can't even joke about that.
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Sep 14, 2010 17:35
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mod sassinator posted:A world without Jeeps is a world I don't want to live in. Jeep is by far the most valuable division of Chrysler. Even if Chrysler went under hard, someone would grab it.
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Sep 14, 2010 22:03
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Mounted a hitch on my XJ tonight and it wasn't that bad. If anyone is thinking of doing it here are some tips: - First watch this video to get an idea of the steps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79dNP8ZISuU - If you're reusing the factory nut strips get an M12-1.75 tap and put it through the threads to clean out the rust. I think this is required, my XJ has lived in dry climates but two of the unused nuts were loaded with rust and would have stripped threads like crazy. - Get a friend and some jack stands to help hold and mount the hitch. Mine didn't really line up well at first and had to be coerced in a bit but finally seated itself when the bolts were tightened. - Pulling bolts and metal through the frame rails isn't that bad. If I had the choice of pulling off the bumper and mounting a nut strip or pulling bolts through the frame I would pull the bolts through. The first one is fiddly and takes time but once you get it down it's quick and easy. Now I've got good recovery points front (tow hooks) and rear so I can get a little more fearless on the trail.
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Sep 15, 2010 09:03
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http://www.undercoverfab.com/32-standard-2-deep-skids-carbon Got this skid plate for the rubicon yesterday. I'm very impressed with the quality. It's 60 lbs. I'm going to get it on Friday. I'll have to clean, prime and paint it before it goes on. I'm going with either red or safety yellow.(I'm taking off work to install it) Then I go to uwharrie Saturday.  I went with the 3/16 skid over 1/4 because the 1/4 was 18 pounds more, and i can imagine where an extra 1/16 will make a difference in the skid plate department. PLus it has that big rear end support across the middle. This thing is awesome, and about half of other skidplates. SO LONG SHOVEL! Tossed_Salad_Man fucked around with this message at 11:35 on Sep 15, 2010 |
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Sep 15, 2010 11:31
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giundy posted:I really like this commercial: Saw a movie with my dad, they played this, he said HURR THAT'S COOL, which was a surprising reaction from him. Chrysler is playing the patriotism thing pretty hard. Too bad like you said nobody will take that thing offroad any time soon and it looks more like a minivan than ever. Have you seen how low to the ground the new Caravan sits? I guess they gave the GC the old Caravan's ground clearance.
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Sep 15, 2010 14:54
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incredibull posted:Saw a movie with my dad, they played this, he said HURR THAT'S COOL, which was a surprising reaction from him. Chrysler is playing the patriotism thing pretty hard. Too bad like you said nobody will take that thing offroad any time soon and it looks more like a minivan than ever. Not exactly related, but the new zr1 commercial takes the same idea of hurr america and actually makes it cool. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MaUe3bpRRY
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Sep 15, 2010 15:09
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beep beep new skid plate.
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Sep 16, 2010 02:56
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lots of stuff done. Newest being the basket:
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Sep 16, 2010 03:57
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Autoblog reports there's a strong rumor of a Jeep pickup truck in the near future. http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/17/report-jeep-pickup-coming-in-2012/ This would likely be based on the badass Gladiator concept:  I'm surprised Chrysler would be interested in making what would likely be a very niche vehicle, but I think it's awesome. Maybe GM will revive plans to bring the ute over.
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Sep 17, 2010 17:58
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mod sassinator posted:Autoblog reports there's a strong rumor of a Jeep pickup truck in the near future. http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/17/report-jeep-pickup-coming-in-2012/ If they offer this with a removable roof, I'm totally buying one. Doubly so if they shove a small diesel engine that can be had with a stick in there as well.
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Sep 17, 2010 18:55
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redscare posted:If they offer this with a removable roof, I'm totally buying one. Doubly so if they shove a small diesel engine that can be had with a stick in there as well. It'd likely be $40k or more, looking at Jeep's current lineup.
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Sep 17, 2010 19:24
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Faerunner posted:It'd likely be $40k or more, looking at Jeep's current lineup. Looking at Jeep's current lineup, only one model starts above $25k. I'm not counting the Commander because that's dead. Not sure what lineup you're looking at.
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Sep 17, 2010 19:35
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Hur, proofread before hitting enter, I meant 30 v v Guess I've got the stupid today.
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Sep 17, 2010 19:57
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My 96 XJ is dead It worked fine Sunday, last time I drove it. Went out to start it yesterday and nothing. Not even a click. I can run the stereo fine, though, and attempting to jump-start it didn't work, so I don't think the battery's the problem. When I turn the key one click past Accessory, I can hear the fuel pump priming, so I don't think that's shot either. Am I looking at replacing the starter? If so, how do-it-yourself friendly is that job to a fairly inexperienced person? It's the 4.0 I love my Jeep, why does it keep hurting me
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Sep 17, 2010 21:58
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It's like two bolts and a plug.
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Sep 17, 2010 22:23
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