Whether you’re looking for extra ground clearance, improved off-road performance, or a killer lift to enhance the appearance of your Jeep Cherokee XJ, a lift kit is the way to go.
Once you’ve decided to lift your Jeep, you’ll find yourself in an absolute minefield of shocks, springs, and brackets.
It might leave you wondering, which is the best one?
In this guide, I have listed some of the best Jeep XJ lift kits I have recently found on the market to save you from sifting through the heaps of adverts, reviews, and websites.
Rough Country X-Series 4.5″ Lift Kit for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4WD – 63330
Our Top Recommendation for Best Jeep XJ Lift Kit!
- The Perfect Blend of Performance, Protection, and Style from Rough Country.
- Unmatched Ground Clearance | Premium N3 Shock Absorbers the Best in Performance for On and Off-Road Use.
- Part 63330 Install Time:5-6 hours
Best Jeep Cherokee XJ Lift Kit in 2023
When shopping for lift kits, there will be numerous things to look out for.
For example, height is something to consider. How much of a lift do you want? A bold statement lift that’ll turn your Jeep into a beast off the road or something more discreet to improve its performance?
The following list includes various lift kits for your Jeep XJ. By the end, hopefully, you’ll be loaded with the knowledge to understand the best lift kit for you.
- Rough Country X-Series 4.5″ Lift Kit for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4WD – 63330
- Rough Country 3″ Lift Kit for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 2WD/4WD – 670N2
- Supreme Suspensions – Full Lift Kit for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4WD
- Rough Country 2″ Adjustable Lift Shackles for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ – 1077
- Daystar, Jeep XJ Cherokee 1.75″ Lift Kit, fits 1984 to 2001 2/4WD, all transmissions, KJ09105BK.
1. Rough Country X-Series 4.5″ Lift Kit for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4WD – 63330
If you’re looking for the most ground clearance, then out of the five I’ll be talking about today, this is the one you’ll want to explore. With an impressive 4.5”, this lift kit will turn your Jeep Cherokee into a monster of the road with the capability of 32” tires.
Usability
Although this was designed for the user to install it themselves, a couple of aspects seemed trickier than others. For example, the control arms lacked flexibility. I recommend the help of a professional for this one. It’s also advised to apply a slip-yoke eliminator to avoid vibrations.
Included in the Kit
The kit has everything you need for fitting, including coil springs, control arms, transfer case, track bar bracket, and brake lines.
Warranty
The Rough Country lift kit comes backed with a limited lifetime guarantee replacement warranty.
| Model | Tank Capacity |
|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler Rubicon | 21.5 Gallon |
| Jeep Wrangler Sahara | 21.5 Gallon |
| Jeep Wrangler Sport | 17.5 Gallon |
| Jeep Wrangler Sport S | 17.5 Gallon |
| Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe | 17.5 Gallon |
| Jeep Wrangler X | 17.5 Gallons |
| Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe | `17.5 Gallons |
Pros
- Lift Height – This lift kit offers immense ground clearance and impacts the Jeep’s aesthetics.
- Brand Reliability – Rough Country is an excellent brand with a positive customer following, they offer an excellent warranty, and I found the customer service on point.
Cons
- Installation – Unless you’re a qualified professional or know what you’re doing, I recommend help from a professional.
2. Rough Country 3″ Lift Kit for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 2WD/4WD – 670N2
If you want to stick with the Rough Country brand but avoid such an extreme lift as the previous kit, this comes in lower at 3 inches. It still offers noticeable height and great ground clearance, but it doesn’t quite stand out.
Usability
What I found the most impressive about this lift kit was how smooth my ride was after installation. You wouldn’t have even known it had undergone such a modification.
Installation
I could install this kit myself in under 3 hours with no difficulties. However, I have all the relevant equipment to do so, so best to check this before you make any attempts.
Price
It’s a great option for a low-cost lift if you’re upgrading on a budget, and the quality was second to none for the price.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Rough Country |
| Model | X-Series |
| Item Weight | 234 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 10 x 10 x 10 inches |
| Special Features | A Slip Yoke Eliminator w/ CV Driveshaft are recommended to avoid driveline vibration. |
Pros
- Price – The price was the most attractive aspect of this lift kit.
- Quality – The high quality exceeded my expectations considering the low cost.
- Installation – As long as you’re set up for it, this is a very straightforward installation process.
Cons
- No U-Bolts – This was the only downside I could find with this kit, and they should have been included though it wasn’t a major issue.
3. Supreme Suspensions – Full Lift Kit for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4WD
The Supreme Suspensions lift kit has everything you need for the ideal mid-lift, offering 2 inches of extra height and easy installation. All the parts in the kit were exceptionally well-made and high-quality.
Usability
It’s another excellent option for anyone wishing to install their lift kit themselves, it was very straightforward, and the instructions were clear and concise.
Appearance
Despite this only being a smaller lift, it made a significant difference to the appearance of the Jeep.
Price
It was another fantastic purchase for an excellent price without faltering on quality.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Rough Country |
| Model | Rough Country 3" Lift Kit for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 2WD/4WD - 670N2 |
| Item Weight | 24.2 pounds |
| Position | Driveline |
| Construction | Drilling Required: No |
Pros
- Price – This was extremely low priced, considering the contents and the quality
- Installation – This was extremely easy to fit with no extra equipment or special tools.
Cons
- I couldn’t find any faults with this lift kit.
4. Rough Country 2″ Adjustable Lift Shackles for 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ – 1077
Back to the Rough Country brand, as you can tell, these always come up top trumps regarding quality and reputation.
This lift offers a 2-inch lift, so again, ideal for someone who doesn’t want extreme transformation.
Usability
The primary usability factor here lies with the installation process, which was super straightforward. The manual was also extremely easy to follow.
Brand
It will always give you peace of mind when purchasing from Rough Country because of its reliability and excellent customer service.
Drivability
The smooth drive after the installation was impressive. There was minimum vibration, even without additional prevention.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Supreme Suspensions |
| Item Weight | 8.78 pounds |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Position | Rear, Front |
| Special Features | Automotive Body Parts Accessories Replacement Parts, Off-Road Aftermarket Suspension Upgrade, Increase Ground Clearance Install Custom Wheels And Tires all-terrain trucks, Direct Replacement Coil Spring Lift Spacers Bolt On Install, Direct Installation Leaf Spring Shackle High-Performance Lift Kit |
Pros
- Assembly – The installation is straightforward, and there is no drilling required.
- Durable – Everything about this lift kit was strong and sturdy. You’d get thousands of miles of rough terrain adventures without a doubt.
Cons
- Wrong Orders – Though I had no problem with my kit, other users have mentioned missing or incorrect parts, which they found to be frequent.
5. Daystar, Jeep XJ Cherokee 1.75″ Lift Kit, fits 1984 to 2001 2/4WD, all transmissions, KJ09105BK.
I installed the Daystar lift kit on my 1999 XJ myself, and it was a breeze. The kit was easy to install and gave my Jeep the perfect lift. The ride is smooth, and the clearance is just enough to allow me to enjoy even more rough terrain. Overall, this one hits the mark.
Usability
I encountered no hurdles while fitting this kit and didn’t need assistance. Overall it took me around 3.5 hours.
Ground Clearance
Despite being under a 2″ inch lift, this gave plenty of ground clearance to enhance the off-road performance. The low lift also meant there was no uncomfortable vibration.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Rough Country |
| Model | 1.5-2" Lift Shackles |
| Product Dimensions | 12.25 x 5.25 x 5 inches |
| Item model number | 1077 |
| Special Features | Fits 4WD/2WD |
Pros
- Appearance – It gives a nice life without being in your face or over the top.
- Installation – This is easy for one person to install if they know how to.
Cons
- Off-Road – This kit wouldn’t be very efficient for extreme off-road terrain.
How I Selected The Best Jeep XJ Lift Kits?
I carefully evaluated multiple factors to reach my decision and narrow down the best 5 Jeep XL lift kits on the market. It also included looking at what others had to say about their experience using each kit.
These are some of the keynotes I was concentrating on.
Durability
I wanted to ensure that each lift kit was well-made to ensure durability. Therefore, I only selected the products other users claimed to have been long-lasting and kept my reviews to only well-made products from well-known brands.
Installation
I tried only to include the lift kits that were easy to fit. However, in many cases, you may still need the assistance of a professional if you need to be more sure about what you’re doing. Self-installation is only recommended for people in the industry or those confident and handy with car bodywork.
Kit Components
I was looking for comprehensive kits that included essential suspension components like shocks, springs, and control arms, ensuring a complete and well-matched system with everything you need in one kit.
Price
Of course, I’ve considered the price when shopping for these lift kits. After all, it’s always best to keep the price as low as possible. However, you don’t want to skimp on quality, so I have made sure to find a happy medium that won’t break the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Lift Kits for Jeep XJ
Let’s hear more about what other people are asking when considering lift kits for their Jeep.
What are the benefits of installing a lift kit on my Jeep XJ?
Can I install a lift kit on my Jeep XJ myself?
Will a lift kit affect my Jeep’s ride quality?
How Long Do Jeep Lift Kits Last?
Will installing a lift kit affect my Jeep’s warranty?
Can I combine a lift kit with larger tires for better performance?
Are lift kits only suitable for off-road driving?
Let’s Conclude
So that’s the verdict. Those are the best current lift kits on the market for a Jeep XJ at the moment, but I’ll let you decide which is the best for you. It primarily depends on what you’re looking for out of your lift. If you want to do some extreme off-roading and love the appearance of a monster Jeep, then the Rough Country X-Series is something you’re considering.
On the flip side, if you’d prefer something more discreet to enhance your Jeep’s performance slightly, then the Daystar is definitely for you. And don’t worry; there’s always the option to lower your Jeep Cherokee if you decide you’ve gone too far with your lift.