Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

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miamitj
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Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by miamitj »

Hey everyone,

I have a ton of experience on lift kits on Wranglers and XJs but none on FSJ. My suspension is shot and since it needs to be replaced a lift will be done.

I am looking at 33" or maybe 35" with zero body cutting. What would you guys recommend? What works? Also what additional costs will I run into like ext brake lines, ext drive shafts, replacement slip yolks, brackets to realign everything, etc? This Jeep will not be taken off road so it is mainly for looks - drivability should be good too.

Thanks
Omi - Miami, Fl

1976 Cherokee S AMC 360
2015 JKU

76 Cherokee Build Thread
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Stuka
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by Stuka »

35’s on a narrow trac (which looks like you have) requires a ton of lift with no cutting at all.

33x12.50’s can fit with a 6” lift, but even that requires a little bit of trimming on the back of the rockers just in front of the rear tires. But a 6” lift is pretty stiff.

An SOA rides great, and gives 6-7” of lift. But requires custom steering, and in your case, new springs from the sound of it. Plus it requires welding.

I tend to urge people with narrow tracks to not go SOA unless they are going with wider axles.

A 4” lift allows for 31x10.50’s on 8” wheels, or 33x10.50’s on narrow rims with a small amount of trimming in back. A few people here have done this.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by miamitj »

Stuka wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 7:12 am 35’s on a narrow trac (which looks like you have) requires a ton of lift with no cutting at all.

33x12.50’s can fit with a 6” lift, but even that requires a little bit of trimming on the back of the rockers just in front of the rear tires. But a 6” lift is pretty stiff.

An SOA rides great, and gives 6-7” of lift. But requires custom steering, and in your case, new springs from the sound of it. Plus it requires welding.

I tend to urge people with narrow tracks to not go SOA unless they are going with wider axles.

A 4” lift allows for 31x10.50’s on 8” wheels, or 33x10.50’s on narrow rims with a small amount of trimming in back. A few people here have done this.
Thank you for all the information, it is very useful.

So if I went with a 4" lift, sounds like it's 31" tires. Is the trimming needed for 33s on 4" because they rub on turns and bumps or during articulation? Same question with the 33s on 6" of lift.
Omi - Miami, Fl

1976 Cherokee S AMC 360
2015 JKU

76 Cherokee Build Thread
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Stuka
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by Stuka »

miamitj wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 9:08 am
Stuka wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 7:12 am 35’s on a narrow trac (which looks like you have) requires a ton of lift with no cutting at all.

33x12.50’s can fit with a 6” lift, but even that requires a little bit of trimming on the back of the rockers just in front of the rear tires. But a 6” lift is pretty stiff.

An SOA rides great, and gives 6-7” of lift. But requires custom steering, and in your case, new springs from the sound of it. Plus it requires welding.

I tend to urge people with narrow tracks to not go SOA unless they are going with wider axles.

A 4” lift allows for 31x10.50’s on 8” wheels, or 33x10.50’s on narrow rims with a small amount of trimming in back. A few people here have done this.
Thank you for all the information, it is very useful.

So if I went with a 4" lift, sounds like it's 31" tires. Is the trimming needed for 33s on 4" because they rub on turns and bumps or during articulation? Same question with the 33s on 6" of lift.
Its because the rear wheel openings are tiny. WT cherokee's don't have the issue, only NT models do.

Go to this thread. At the bottom of the first page, and mid way down the second page shows the bit of trimming required:
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... =13&t=9394

Please note that 33x12.50's are a no go. 33x10.50's are ok with that bit of trimming on skinny (eg: stock) wheels.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by miamitj »

Stuka wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 4:11 pm
miamitj wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 9:08 am
Stuka wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 7:12 am 35’s on a narrow trac (which looks like you have) requires a ton of lift with no cutting at all.

33x12.50’s can fit with a 6” lift, but even that requires a little bit of trimming on the back of the rockers just in front of the rear tires. But a 6” lift is pretty stiff.

An SOA rides great, and gives 6-7” of lift. But requires custom steering, and in your case, new springs from the sound of it. Plus it requires welding.

I tend to urge people with narrow tracks to not go SOA unless they are going with wider axles.

A 4” lift allows for 31x10.50’s on 8” wheels, or 33x10.50’s on narrow rims with a small amount of trimming in back. A few people here have done this.
Thank you for all the information, it is very useful.

So if I went with a 4" lift, sounds like it's 31" tires. Is the trimming needed for 33s on 4" because they rub on turns and bumps or during articulation? Same question with the 33s on 6" of lift.
Its because the rear wheel openings are tiny. WT cherokee's don't have the issue, only NT models do.

Go to this thread. At the bottom of the first page, and mid way down the second page shows the bit of trimming required:
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... =13&t=9394

Please note that 33x12.50's are a no go. 33x10.50's are ok with that bit of trimming on skinny (eg: stock) wheels.
TY. VERY USEFUL INFORMATION
Omi - Miami, Fl

1976 Cherokee S AMC 360
2015 JKU

76 Cherokee Build Thread
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Theduke
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by Theduke »

1989 Grand Wagoneer. 6" bjsoffroad lift with 33x10.5x15 on stock aluminum wheels. You don't get alot of flex from a 6" leaf spring pack. Personally if I had to do it over again I'd probably do 4" lift and 31" tires as mine is primarily a daily driver. I don't have any big issues running the 33"s and 6" lift.
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NorthGaAire
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by NorthGaAire »

I did the SOA conversion on my 78 Cherokee narrow track.
I am running 33x10.5 on factory steel wheels.

Before:
Image

After:
Image

I did not do any trimming...
I used new, factory height springs.
The ride is very good.
1978 Cherokee 4dr, 360v8, T18 4spd, Twin stick Dana 20, SOA conversion (7" lift), trac lock rear axle, 3.54 axle ratio, 33"x10.5"-15 Toyo MT's on factory steel wheels, Cliff hanger front bumper, Evil Twin rear bumper with swing out spare.
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by Stuka »

Pretty old thread to bring back, but great looking cherokee!
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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miamitj
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by miamitj »

This is what I'm going for. Your Jeep is pretty much identical to mine.

Do you have a parts list you can share? Maybe a write-up?
NorthGaAire wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 12:42 pm I did the SOA conversion on my 78 Cherokee narrow track.
I am running 33x10.5 on factory steel wheels.

Before:
Image

After:
Image

I did not do any trimming...
I used new, factory height springs.
The ride is very good.
Omi - Miami, Fl

1976 Cherokee S AMC 360
2015 JKU

76 Cherokee Build Thread

NorthGaAire
Posts: 47
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 6:30 am

Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by NorthGaAire »

Parts list:
From BJ's Offroad:
TT's SOA conversion kit for front SOA and rear spring mounts.
Reid Racing Crossover steering kit for NT
New factory height leaf springs
Extended front brake lines
Extended E-brake kit
New longer shocks

From local drive line shop:
extended front drive shaft
extended rear drive shaft
1978 Cherokee 4dr, 360v8, T18 4spd, Twin stick Dana 20, SOA conversion (7" lift), trac lock rear axle, 3.54 axle ratio, 33"x10.5"-15 Toyo MT's on factory steel wheels, Cliff hanger front bumper, Evil Twin rear bumper with swing out spare.

NorthGaAire
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Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 6:30 am

Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by NorthGaAire »

Also take a read through the documents on ttsfabworks.com
He has great information there.
1978 Cherokee 4dr, 360v8, T18 4spd, Twin stick Dana 20, SOA conversion (7" lift), trac lock rear axle, 3.54 axle ratio, 33"x10.5"-15 Toyo MT's on factory steel wheels, Cliff hanger front bumper, Evil Twin rear bumper with swing out spare.
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miamitj
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by miamitj »

THANK YOU
Omi - Miami, Fl

1976 Cherokee S AMC 360
2015 JKU

76 Cherokee Build Thread

ZacharyH
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by ZacharyH »

here is my 1976 wagoneer with SOA and stock tires.
Image
Image

AccrateDelivery
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Re: Lift on a '76 Cherokee - 4", 6", SAO ? Thoughts and pics please

Post by AccrateDelivery »

Running 33's on my WT. 2" lift, no rubbing anywhere.
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