XJ Lift Checklist: SYE Kit, Driveshaft and the Parts People Forget

The first drive after an XJ lift feels great for about a mile. Then comes a vibration at highway speed, or a brake line pulled tight, or a track bar that no longer lines up. Most of those problems are on a short list, and you can cover it before you start.

The SYE kit and driveshaft

A slip yoke eliminator, or SYE, swaps the sliding yoke on the transfer case for a fixed one. The sliding part moves to the driveshaft, which is why the driveshaft is a CV style. A lift changes the angle at the back of the transfer case, and a stock slip yoke doesn't like big angles. Clayton's long arm kits for the XJ say a SYE kit and CV driveshaft are required, so budget for both.

Brake lines and the pitman arm

Stock brake lines run out of slack on a lift. The Clayton 6.5 and 8.0 inch kits include front and rear brake lines, and they also include a drop pitman arm to fix steering geometry. If a kit you're considering skips them, add them to your cart. Our steering parts are a good place to look for the pitman arm.

Track bar and sway bars

Lifting moves the axle sideways relative to the body, so an adjustable front track bar puts it back in the middle. Sway bar disconnects give the axle room to flex on the trail. See the Track Bars collection for options.

The ones that surprise people

On the larger kits Clayton notes that welding and cutting are required, a custom exhaust is needed, and the e-brake bracket may need to move on certain years. Shocks are usually extra, and Clayton recommends Bilstein 5100s. Add tires and gearing, and check the Shocks collection before you finalize the list.

Pick your kit first on our XJ long arm kits page, then run down this list. For help choosing, read How to pick an XJ long arm kit by lift height. Send us your build plan and we'll flag what's missing. Call 513-285-4000 or email customerservice@highliftoffroad.com.