2" budget lift

[ottawajeep]

Hi everyone, so I took my 94 xj sport to mcclean on wed. and am hooked on mud. I am thinking of a 2" Budget lift spacers, shackles. What's everyone's opinion on spacer's / shackles? Keep in mind this is going to be my G/F's daily driver once she has her full licence.

Will I need longer shock's?  Will it be harder on the driveline? How much will it effect MPG.

I am a licenced tech at a local honda dealer and labour is not a problem. My plan was going to be 30"  BFG A/T,  2" spacer / shackle lift and Custom 4x4 Fabrication's tow hooks.

Keep in mind it has 250K, no rust on body, everything is tight and I paid 1200$for it. Don't want to put a ton of $ into it,just want something as a DD and weekend mudder.
Does anyone know of a good company for this kind of lift and what else could I use for a front tow hook? I am new to 4x4ing and so far am loving it

Thanks everyone, 

[WagoneerXJ]

2" spacers and shackles are a great idea for a mild lift. Longer shocks are definetly recommended though. The only thing that will effect MPG at that point would be tire choice.
 
 The BFG AT's are great in everything but mud and rock crawling. If you are gonna play in the mud alot, maybe go for a more aggressive tire.

 As for front tow points, the C4x4 hooks and brackets (or OEM ones) would be perfect for you. Otherwise an aftermarket bumper with tow points on it is good. DO NOT just try and mount a tow hook of some kind to the frame rails. It's a  unibody and they tend to come apart cause they are only stamped tin up there!

Teraflex, Rubicon Express, Daystar and a few others make the 2" lift you are looking for. Good luck.

[Immortal]

Mud + daily driver = lots of late nights repairing parts so you can drive it the next day. In otherwords.... probably not the best idea. But, I hate mud. My $0.02.

[ottawajeep]

Thanks guys, what model of cherokee had front tow hooks, aside from the ZJ? Limited maybe? Did they also come with a front and transfer case skid?
Not too worried about late nights wrenching, I wrench for a living and it's only going to see maybe light weekend trails.

What will be the main advantage of longer shocks, suspension travel Off Road? I guess it wouldn't really matter on pavement but I could see your point off road as the shocks would limit the amount of travel.

Lastly, where's a good place to buy these parts, Modern Motors, National 4x4.

Thanks

[.:.Dingman.:.]

Welcome.

For tow hooks I would check Pick and pull it cost me 14.00 for 2 tow hooks and brackets, if they have none check with jay on here I think he builds some but don't quote me. Also ones from a zj won't work.

Skid plates once again pick and pull it's 17.50 a piece.

Mud I used to love it but now i stay away due to it getting everywhere and falling in my eyes no matter how hard I try and clean it.

Dingman

[hps4evr]

add new shocks to your budget boost. if you have 250k on it then im sure they could be replaced. another option is bushwacker cut-out flares. pretty much trims the fenders up and out of the way and adds a nice flare to cover your bigger tires. these with the BB lift would get you a 31" tire i bet. the flares will be nice if you play in the mud, as in no clumps of mud on the roof to clean. as for tires, there are a lot of street friendly mud tires out now. so give them a shot, toyo, goodyear, pro comp, bfg, mickey thompson. look for those 4 for 3 deals.
oh and an upgraded steering damper wont hurt either. look for a used gastank skid, and t/case skid.
good luck

[ottawajeep]

Thanks for the info,last time I was at PNP everything was raided. Going to go and look for some tow hooks with brackets, anyone know what model of  XJ they came on? Was it an accessory option or off road package?

[dac]

If you're going to let your girlfriend DD it I'd shy away from mudders.  I had a good set of AT's on our TJ they handled pretty good in the winter, better than stock, put mudders on and siped them and they still leave some to be desired.  When the ice gets cold (difference between -5 and -20) they don't hold the road as well.

Depending on how often you plan on taking it out mudders might not be worth it.  Case in point my wifes dubya J can go through a decent amount of 'muck' stock height and Dueler AT revo's.

Hopefully she doesn't find out that I know it can go through a decent amount of 'muck' 

[esi]

take a look at Dean Mud Terrain SXT's. They're called a mud terrain but I'd consider them more of an aggressive AT. They have decent wear, good traction, not real loud, and grip ice not too badly.
http://www.deantires.com/html/products/tires_lighttruck.aspx?page=dean_tires_light_mud_terrain_radial_SXT

[ottawajeep]

Thanks for the info.
Does anyone know if your allowed to stud your tires for the winter here in calgary?

[hps4evr]

like most places studs are ok from october-ish to april-ish. dont run them in summer. you will get pulled over from the black-and-whites. and they wear real fast in summer anyways... although, they make for a great sparky burnout!
in the end though, a well built winter tire is better then a studded tire.