Need Help With Lift 87 Comanche

[seanp0216]

hey guys, I'm new to this forum. Not new to the comanche life though. But i do have a few questions that i need help with.

 

Just picked up an 87 Comanche Longbed Completely stock just yesterday, recently had an 88 that was too much for my needs

 

I bought the truck to haul my dirtbike around and have a cool looking truck, won't be doing much crawling, probably 95% dirtbike truck and 5% offroad (nothing serious)

 

I just bought 15x8 pro comp and 32x11.5x15 km2

 

I'm aware that the XJ and MJ have the same front ends but the rears are different. I believe the only difference is the lengths of the leafs.

 

I'm currently looking for a 4.5" lift. I do not want AAL and i have found a few options that I'm considering going with.

 

1: Heard good reviews about the hellcreek set up but they use the rough country shocks and ive heard mixed reviews and would much rather get some bilsteins or fox shocks because i don't want a too "rough' of a ride. If i bought the set up without the shocks, would it bolt up just fine with pre existing bilsteins or fox shocks?

 

-OR-

 

2: If i buy an XJ lift and buy hellcreek MJ leaf packs, would that work and would it all bolt up just fine? then i could just sell the XJ leafs or something. i was thinking of the RC 4.5' short arm kit and its fairly cheap and id probably get some new shocks and be done. So it would be XJ lift, HC leafs, Bilstein Shocks.

 

-OR-

 

If you guys have any other options about a 4.5" lift?

 

 

I appreciate all of the help in advance, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a lift, just want the best option so i don't have to re-do it in the future.

 

Thanks Guys!

[Incommando]

Rough Country has its fans...but a lot of people dislike them, too. Most of the fans seem to be due to their being about the cheapest kits around. I hated my RC kit on my first MJ. It rode terrible.  I am disappointed in Hellcreek for their partnership with RC. Their are also other spring pack options such as General Springs. 

 

Another route is to piece the front together yourself. You can find components on Ebay, Amazon, etc... You need at minimum springs, lower control arms, shocks, and IMHO an adjustable track bar. The 4.5" kits rarely include a track bar, though. They just have you re=drill your current mount to relocate the factory bar. The front hard  brake lines can be re-routed to work. 

 

Just one example of each component form a google search:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Rubicon-Express-RE1310-Coil-Spring/dp/B006GJKBGC Springs $120

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/IR-SHDCA.html Control arms $130

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/11092.html Track bar $130

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-suspension/jeep-trac-bar-panhard-bar-items/jeep-xj-cherokee-84-01-mj-comanche-84-9-adjustable-track-bar/rustys-track-bar-adjustable-front-stock-tj-xj-zj.htmlShocks $380

This route looks expensive but by the time you add the uber expensive shocks that you want it would all be like this. The shocks make this about $750 just for the front. 

 

 

In the rear the MJ & XJ leafs are not only different lengths but the XJ is SOA while the MJ is SUA. That and the length make a difference in what it takes to lift each model. The rear shocks also mount differently which effects whether their  length would be correct. 

 

If you want to buy a complete XJ lift if you think that is your cheapest route to  save some money you might consider buying an AAL kit. You may or may not make the price difference back on re-selling the complete leave pack. 

 

Although a short add-a-leaf has some draw backs a well-made full length AAL is a different story. An inexpensive complete MJ kit that goes this route is the Zone Kit. Zone is a division of BDS Suspension and they have high ratings for quality and service.  https://zoneoffroad.com/display?ma=6&yr=1987&mo=140&ca=78 . Or another http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10442.html as the least expensive AAL lift that would work for 32's. Or try the http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=31936&gclid=COrW6LC6lsUCFQYHaQodj4UAjg&zenid=54706b56627f4a94555c53d176a36b7bif price is your big factor 

 

This kit allows you to upgrade the shocks from the start: http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rustys-mj-comanche-4-5-spring-pack-kit.html

 

I know what I would do. Others know what they would do. The options are endless. Now what do you want to do?  :crossfingers:

[seanp0216]

Rough Country has its fans...but a lot of people dislike them, too. Most of the fans seem to be due to their being about the cheapest kits around. I hated my RC kit on my first MJ. It rode terrible.  I am disappointed in Hellcreek for their partnership with RC. Their are also other spring pack options such as General Springs. 

 

Another route is to piece the front together yourself. You can find components on Ebay, Amazon, etc... You need at minimum springs, lower control arms, shocks, and IMHO an adjustable track bar. The 4.5" kits rarely include a track bar, though. They just have you re=drill your current mount to relocate the factory bar. The front hard  brake lines can be re-routed to work. 

 

Just one example of each component form a google search:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Rubicon-Express-RE1310-Coil-Spring/dp/B006GJKBGC Springs $120

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/IR-SHDCA.html Control arms $130

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/11092.html Track bar $130

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-suspension/jeep-trac-bar-panhard-bar-items/jeep-xj-cherokee-84-01-mj-comanche-84-9-adjustable-track-bar/rustys-track-bar-adjustable-front-stock-tj-xj-zj.htmlShocks $380

This route looks expensive but by the time you add the uber expensive shocks that you want it would all be like this. The shocks make this about $750 just for the front. 

 

 

In the rear the MJ & XJ leafs are not only different lengths but the XJ is SOA while the MJ is SUA. That and the length make a difference in what it takes to lift each model. The rear shocks also mount differently which effects whether their  length would be correct. 

 

If you want to buy a complete XJ lift if you think that is your cheapest route to  save some money you might consider buying an AAL kit. You may or may not make the price difference back on re-selling the complete leave pack. 

 

Although a short add-a-leaf has some draw backs a well-made full length AAL is a different story. An inexpensive complete MJ kit that goes this route is the Zone Kit. Zone is a division of BDS Suspension and they have high ratings for quality and service.  https://zoneoffroad.com/display?ma=6&yr=1987&mo=140&ca=78 . Or another http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10442.html as the least expensive AAL lift that would work for 32's. Or try the http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=31936&gclid=COrW6LC6lsUCFQYHaQodj4UAjg&zenid=54706b56627f4a94555c53d176a36b7bif price is your big factor 

 

This kit allows you to upgrade the shocks from the start: http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rustys-mj-comanche-4-5-spring-pack-kit.html

 

I know what I would do. Others know what they would do. The options are endless. Now what do you want to do?  :crossfingers:

 

 

 

 

Sorry for the long quote. I was stoked to see this response, I didn't expect to get even half of the information you gave me. So first I would like to thank you for that.

 

If I was to do the iron Rock offroad 4" XJ kit, would that bolt up fine without any modifications to the body? Would th body be level after installing it?

 

Also, I hear many stories about rustys products and how a lot people hate them, you seem to like them, do you think their whole kit with the upgraded shocks would be a good idea as far as ride comfort and what not?

 

 

If I did buy the Iron rock XJ kit and it worked fine, down the road could I put MJ leaf packs in without any issues regarding the shock location?

 

The zone off road kit does look pretty tempting and was thinking about getting it earlier.

 

 

Thanks again

[Mattman6]

 

Rough Country has its fans...but a lot of people dislike them, too. Most of the fans seem to be due to their being about the cheapest kits around. I hated my RC kit on my first MJ. It rode terrible.  I am disappointed in Hellcreek for their partnership with RC. Their are also other spring pack options such as General Springs. 

 

Another route is to piece the front together yourself. You can find components on Ebay, Amazon, etc... You need at minimum springs, lower control arms, shocks, and IMHO an adjustable track bar. The 4.5" kits rarely include a track bar, though. They just have you re=drill your current mount to relocate the factory bar. The front hard  brake lines can be re-routed to work. 

 

Just one example of each component form a google search:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Rubicon-Express-RE1310-Coil-Spring/dp/B006GJKBGC Springs $120

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/IR-SHDCA.html Control arms $130

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/11092.html Track bar $130

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-suspension/jeep-trac-bar-panhard-bar-items/jeep-xj-cherokee-84-01-mj-comanche-84-9-adjustable-track-bar/rustys-track-bar-adjustable-front-stock-tj-xj-zj.htmlShocks $380

This route looks expensive but by the time you add the uber expensive shocks that you want it would all be like this. The shocks make this about $750 just for the front. 

 

 

In the rear the MJ & XJ leafs are not only different lengths but the XJ is SOA while the MJ is SUA. That and the length make a difference in what it takes to lift each model. The rear shocks also mount differently which effects whether their  length would be correct. 

 

If you want to buy a complete XJ lift if you think that is your cheapest route to  save some money you might consider buying an AAL kit. You may or may not make the price difference back on re-selling the complete leave pack. 

 

Although a short add-a-leaf has some draw backs a well-made full length AAL is a different story. An inexpensive complete MJ kit that goes this route is the Zone Kit. Zone is a division of BDS Suspension and they have high ratings for quality and service.  https://zoneoffroad.com/display?ma=6&yr=1987&mo=140&ca=78 . Or another http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10442.html as the least expensive AAL lift that would work for 32's. Or try the http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=31936&gclid=COrW6LC6lsUCFQYHaQodj4UAjg&zenid=54706b56627f4a94555c53d176a36b7bif price is your big factor 

 

This kit allows you to upgrade the shocks from the start: http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rustys-mj-comanche-4-5-spring-pack-kit.html

 

I know what I would do. Others know what they would do. The options are endless. Now what do you want to do?  :crossfingers:

 

 

 

 

Sorry for the long quote. I was stoked to see this response, I didn't expect to get even half of the information you gave me. So first I would like to thank you for that.

 

If I was to do the iron Rock offroad 4" XJ kit, would that bolt up fine without any modifications to the body? Would th body be level after installing it?

 

Also, I hear many stories about rustys products and how a lot people hate them, you seem to like them, do you think their whole kit with the upgraded shocks would be a good idea as far as ride comfort and what not?

 

 

If I did buy the Iron rock XJ kit and it worked fine, down the road could I put MJ leaf packs in without any issues regarding the shock location?

 

The zone off road kit does look pretty tempting and was thinking about getting it earlier.

 

 

Thanks again

 

Bump 

[kansashogan]

I have the Superlift kit mentioned above and I can tell you it is a roughrider. The springs are about .100 thicker than stock. I have a 350 in my truck and I needed some clearance between headers and upper control arms and I figured they wouldn't sag much. They have settled a little, though.