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4.3LXJ
08-18-2011, 10:42 AM
The question comes up from time to time: "How much lift do I have?"

The answer is fairly easy if you have your factory flares on. You measure the distance from the center of the hub on the axle to the bottom of the flare. The distances for factory height is:

17 1/2" front
17" rear

But many have trimmed their fenders and cannot use this method. The alternative is to measure to the first seam or bend above the flares. The distances are:

22 1/2" front
25" rear

Subtract which ever distance you use from the one you measure and that is your amount of lift.

Be aware that many XJs with stock springs in the rear may yield negative numbers, which means your springs are sagging.

steph74
08-18-2011, 08:50 PM
Thanks for taking the time to get these measurements.

Is that the same for all year jeeps ?

4.3LXJ
08-18-2011, 10:14 PM
Thanks for taking the time to get these measurements.

Is that the same for all year jeeps ?

Yes, for all XJs

bluedragon436
08-18-2011, 10:57 PM
Yeah I used this measurement to check and see how much lift I got all together before I left for this deployment.. According to those measurements.. I'm sitting at 7.5" of lift..

JENSSEN
08-18-2011, 11:04 PM
Yes, for all XJs

I thought there was a few variations depending on year and model

bluedragon436
08-18-2011, 11:07 PM
I thought there was a few variations depending on year and model

What do you know about XJ's Jenssen?? LOL.. JK!! I know their is the one XJ model that has the slight lift to it stock.. I guess this one would have a different measurement..

usmcguy34
09-08-2011, 03:40 PM
will tire size make a differince?
i have 33' on 15'

Mudderoy
09-08-2011, 04:14 PM
will tire size make a differince?
i have 33' on 15'

Your suspension lift will add to your height and 1/2 of the difference between the tire you had and the tire you put on. For example. I had factory 27" tires. I put on a 4.5" lift and 32" tires. So I expected 4.5" + 2.5" (1/2 of the 32" - 27" tire diameter) or 7" total. Just after the installation I measured it and that is what I got.

My factory tires were not new. I can't remember if I looked up what diameter they should be or if I measured them.

I'm about to install 33" tires, so that will give me 1/2" of additional lift.

The wheel diameter will not make a difference in the overall height of your Jeep.

prcjeep
09-09-2011, 02:25 AM
I wanted to add that as far as finding out how much you cherokee is lifted can only be measured from the center hubs to the flare/crease in fender... The only way to lift a xj is by changing suspension components.

Putting larger tires on affects the ride hieght.. Like Mud said, your ride hieght goes up 1/2 of the difference in tire diameter from stock or whatever you had before and your new tire size. EX: If you had 28's on before and then put 33's on it then you Jeep will ride 2.5 inches higher. Your lift is still the same but your overall ride hieght has increased by 2.5 inches.

bigjim350
09-09-2011, 03:36 AM
Great explanation Patrick.

usmcguy34
09-09-2011, 02:15 PM
that helps alot! thanks guys. i merssured and looks like 9" from crease to center hub, with 33/12.5 by 15 trie/rim can i say i have 5.5" lift? i just got the new quadratec catalog in andwhat i have looks alot like the rubicon express 5.5" extreme duty suspension kit.

cantab27
09-09-2011, 02:17 PM
well if the fat chick cant get in, lift should just be about right height......

rob
05-08-2013, 09:29 PM
thanks 4.3lxj the info will help me determine a few things.

Carves
05-08-2013, 09:35 PM
I thought there was a few variations depending on year and model


Whats labelled as a "Sport" down here - has an extra 1" of height from wheel centre to bottom of factory wheelarch flare ...

4.3LXJ
05-08-2013, 09:49 PM
Yes, there were some models with an inch increase, also there was a little extra in the rear with the towing package. But ............. Lift kit heights are measured using the front measurements on the standard models. Lift height in the rear will vary with kits depending on whether or not they set them up level or not

grapeape
05-22-2013, 10:10 PM
Yes, there were some models with an inch increase, also there was a little extra in the rear with the towing package. But ............. Lift kit heights are measured using the front measurements on the standard models. Lift height in the rear will vary with kits depending on whether or not they set them up level or not
Mine measured out at 18" front and 17.5" rear. I suspect it may have been one of those that sat 1" higher, but has settled some in the last 22 years.

F1Addict
09-07-2013, 12:22 AM
Thanks for the info, Steve. I've been curious about how much sag I had. I'm at 17.5" for the front (hub to stock flare) and 15 5/8ths in the rear with a half tank of gas. So I'm +/-0 front and -1.375ths at the rear. Time for new leaf springs... which I knew.

A couple of things to remember, you should get as much stuff out of your XJ as you can before measuring. If you've got 200 pounds of tools in the trunk it will affect your lift measurements. Also, a full tank of gas weighs 120 pounds and since it sits behind the rear axle, all of the weight is being carried by that axle.