How to Pick an XJ Long Arm Kit by Lift Height
Your XJ sits on the lot looking tired. The stock arms are short, the lift you have now rides like a wheelbarrow, and every long arm kit online promises the moon. The way through is to settle your tire size first, then your lift height, then how much cutting and welding you'll do yourself.
Start with the tires
Tire size is the real limit. Clayton's 4.5 inch kit is the mild one. Their 6.5 inch kit is built around 33 inch tires, and the 8.0 inch kit is built for 35s with some fender trimming, because that much flex puts the tire where the fender used to be. If you already own the tires, let them pick the kit.
Know what each kit asks of you
The big kits aren't bolt-on. The Clayton 8.0 and 6.5 inch kits call for welding and cutting, plus a SYE kit with a CV style driveshaft and a custom exhaust. Their notes also say moving the e-brake bracket may be needed on some models and years. The 6.5 inch leaf spring version needs welding and drilling, and it still wants the SYE and driveshaft. If you can't or won't weld, say so when you call us and we'll steer you toward something that suits that. Our XJ lift checklist walks through the extra parts.
Look at what's in the box
A good kit includes more than arms. The Clayton kits ship with a front three-piece crossmember, adjustable control arms, brake lines, coil springs, an adjustable track bar with a drop bracket, a drop pitman arm and sway bar disconnects. Shocks are sold separately and Clayton suggests Bilstein 5100s. Compare that list to whatever else you're pricing before you decide which one is cheaper.
Prefer to build it yourself?
Barnes 4WD sells a DIY front long arm upgrade kit for the XJ and a few related Jeeps. It comes with the heim joints, brackets and DOM tubing a home fabricator needs. You cut the tubing and assemble the arms, so it's more work, and a good fit if you like the process. Rough Country also lists 4.5 inch long arm lifts for the XJ.
See all of them in one place on our Jeep XJ long arm kits page. If you want to know how a long arm even differs from what you have, read this comparison. Tell us your tire size and what you can weld, and we'll help you pick. Call 513-285-4000 or email customerservice@highliftoffroad.com.