Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

[miamitj]

Hey everyone,

I have a ton of experience on lift kits on Wranglers and XJs but none on FSJ. My suspension is shot and since it needs to be replaced a lift will be done.

I am looking at 33" or maybe 35" with zero body cutting. What would you guys recommend? What works? Also what additional costs will I run into like ext brake lines, ext drive shafts, replacement slip yolks, brackets to realign everything, etc? This Jeep will not be taken off road so it is mainly for looks - drivability should be good too.

Thanks

[Stuka]

35’s on a narrow trac (which looks like you have) requires a ton of lift with no cutting at all.

33x12.50’s can fit with a 6” lift, but even that requires a little bit of trimming on the back of the rockers just in front of the rear tires. But a 6” lift is pretty stiff.

An SOA rides great, and gives 6-7” of lift. But requires custom steering, and in your case, new springs from the sound of it. Plus it requires welding.

I tend to urge people with narrow tracks to not go SOA unless they are going with wider axles.

A 4” lift allows for 31x10.50’s on 8” wheels, or 33x10.50’s on narrow rims with a small amount of trimming in back. A few people here have done this.

[miamitj]

35’s on a narrow trac (which looks like you have) requires a ton of lift with no cutting at all.

33x12.50’s can fit with a 6” lift, but even that requires a little bit of trimming on the back of the rockers just in front of the rear tires. But a 6” lift is pretty stiff.

An SOA rides great, and gives 6-7” of lift. But requires custom steering, and in your case, new springs from the sound of it. Plus it requires welding.

I tend to urge people with narrow tracks to not go SOA unless they are going with wider axles.

A 4” lift allows for 31x10.50’s on 8” wheels, or 33x10.50’s on narrow rims with a small amount of trimming in back. A few people here have done this.

Thank you for all the information, it is very useful.

So if I went with a 4" lift, sounds like it's 31" tires. Is the trimming needed for 33s on 4" because they rub on turns and bumps or during articulation? Same question with the 33s on 6" of lift.

[Stuka]

35’s on a narrow trac (which looks like you have) requires a ton of lift with no cutting at all.

33x12.50’s can fit with a 6” lift, but even that requires a little bit of trimming on the back of the rockers just in front of the rear tires. But a 6” lift is pretty stiff.

An SOA rides great, and gives 6-7” of lift. But requires custom steering, and in your case, new springs from the sound of it. Plus it requires welding.

I tend to urge people with narrow tracks to not go SOA unless they are going with wider axles.

A 4” lift allows for 31x10.50’s on 8” wheels, or 33x10.50’s on narrow rims with a small amount of trimming in back. A few people here have done this.

Thank you for all the information, it is very useful.

So if I went with a 4" lift, sounds like it's 31" tires. Is the trimming needed for 33s on 4" because they rub on turns and bumps or during articulation? Same question with the 33s on 6" of lift.

Its because the rear wheel openings are tiny. WT cherokee's don't have the issue, only NT models do.

Go to this thread. At the bottom of the first page, and mid way down the second page shows the bit of trimming required:
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... =13&t=9394

Please note that 33x12.50's are a no go. 33x10.50's are ok with that bit of trimming on skinny (eg: stock) wheels.

[miamitj]

35’s on a narrow trac (which looks like you have) requires a ton of lift with no cutting at all.

33x12.50’s can fit with a 6” lift, but even that requires a little bit of trimming on the back of the rockers just in front of the rear tires. But a 6” lift is pretty stiff.

An SOA rides great, and gives 6-7” of lift. But requires custom steering, and in your case, new springs from the sound of it. Plus it requires welding.

I tend to urge people with narrow tracks to not go SOA unless they are going with wider axles.

A 4” lift allows for 31x10.50’s on 8” wheels, or 33x10.50’s on narrow rims with a small amount of trimming in back. A few people here have done this.

Thank you for all the information, it is very useful.

So if I went with a 4" lift, sounds like it's 31" tires. Is the trimming needed for 33s on 4" because they rub on turns and bumps or during articulation? Same question with the 33s on 6" of lift.

Its because the rear wheel openings are tiny. WT cherokee's don't have the issue, only NT models do.

Go to this thread. At the bottom of the first page, and mid way down the second page shows the bit of trimming required:
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... =13&t=9394

Please note that 33x12.50's are a no go. 33x10.50's are ok with that bit of trimming on skinny (eg: stock) wheels.

TY. VERY USEFUL INFORMATION

[Theduke]

1989 Grand Wagoneer. 6" bjsoffroad lift with 33x10.5x15 on stock aluminum wheels. You don't get alot of flex from a 6" leaf spring pack. Personally if I had to do it over again I'd probably do 4" lift and 31" tires as mine is primarily a daily driver. I don't have any big issues running the 33"s and 6" lift.

[NorthGaAire]

I did the SOA conversion on my 78 Cherokee narrow track.
I am running 33x10.5 on factory steel wheels.

Before:


After:


I did not do any trimming...
I used new, factory height springs.
The ride is very good.

[Stuka]

Pretty old thread to bring back, but great looking cherokee!

[miamitj]

This is what I'm going for. Your Jeep is pretty much identical to mine.

Do you have a parts list you can share? Maybe a write-up?

I did the SOA conversion on my 78 Cherokee narrow track.
I am running 33x10.5 on factory steel wheels.

Before:


After:


I did not do any trimming...
I used new, factory height springs.
The ride is very good.

[NorthGaAire]

Parts list:
From BJ's Offroad:
TT's SOA conversion kit for front SOA and rear spring mounts.
Reid Racing Crossover steering kit for NT
New factory height leaf springs
Extended front brake lines
Extended E-brake kit
New longer shocks

From local drive line shop:
extended front drive shaft
extended rear drive shaft

[NorthGaAire]

Also take a read through the documents on ttsfabworks.com
He has great information there.

[miamitj]

THANK YOU

[ZacharyH]

here is my 1976 wagoneer with SOA and stock tires.

[AccrateDelivery]

Running 33's on my WT. 2" lift, no rubbing anywhere.