BDS , OME or ?? for a 1999 XJ 3" lift.

[Bbasso]

I'm going with a 3 inch lift on my 1999 XJ. That way I can afford the armor that is most needed. JCR sliders, Tcase skid and Gas tank skid.

My first thoughts were OME's 3" lift kit.

then I heard of / found BDS...

I talked with a local shop that sells/ installs the BDS and he thought it would be best for me and my needs.

My needs are:
Lots of hwy driving.
plenty of trails.
none to little rocks.
little to some mud.
Lots of beaches/sand.
mountains and snow (Rocky Mtns)
carrying lots of weight (camping gear)
not wanting to say no to a trail or having to back out of a day with others in the dirt because it's not good enough. [Looking for quality.]
Using stock drivetrain, 4.0L, NP231, 3.55 gears- C8.25 LSD rear, stock wheels. prefer to say away from SYE but will if I have to. Eventually a locker in the front.
Using 31x10.50-15 BFG A/T ko.

Now you know... Please suggest something.

I wish I had the space and tools to install all of this, but I don't. So a shop will be doing the lift kit install.
(I should be able to handle the armors.)

Pretty much has to be a complete kit, I don't have the knowledge to part together something

I'm looking to pull the trigger this coming Monday and be done by the end of the month.

 

[xjman88]

As the former owner of 2 built xjs and running bds on both id go w bds. Also Black Diamond and Rubicon Express are great lifts too. Im running rubicon express on my new grand cherokee and for what wheelin ive done im happy w it. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[LawnDart-XJ]

You will be very happy with either. The BDS may be a bit better on harder wheeling. I was running the OME nitor charger shocks all around my 2000 XK with 3.5 RE coils and rear springs. Great shocks I would have to guess that their springs and coils with their shocks would be a great combo. That being said I know the guys from BDS ( used to live in the town the company started in. Back when it was called Big Dicks Suspension, find one of those stickers and you have a little piece of gold) the stuff that comes out of that shop is pure beef and has a great warrenty.

 

[Bbasso]

agreed, that warranty is serious.

 

[Momrocks]

Either offering is nice. I have the exact same list of needs for my 1999 XJ as you listed. I am running OME heavy springs and firm nitros. I really like the combo. The street handling improved, even with rear sway removed, as well as it's the ability on trails. I have an M8000 hung out past the front axle and a spare on a swing out back and the springs compensate nicely for the additional weight of the armor. When I added the winch and front bumper I soon replaced the XJ heavy springs for V8 Grand Cherokee heavies. Nice change in the road handling and braking (I use the term loosely when referring to slowing an XJ) on road with no detectable performance degradation off-road. For a heavy XJ, I've had good results using this combo.

My complaint is in my tire selection. I sold my 9.50x30x15s and changed to 31x10.50. They fit no problem but I needed to bumpstop it a little too much. I am leaving some of the XJ's flex on the table. With the swaybar discos, adj trackbar and adj LCAs (short arm) the suspension has an amazing ability for cross axle articulation. I need to decide if I should go back to 9.50x30s or do some mild fender trimming so I will be able to use less agressive bumpstoping and be happier on the trail.

PS: Unlike the majority of XJ suspension mfgr's advertised lift, OME's advertised lift is exactly what it advertises. I have friends with major brand 3.5 lifts who raised up 5-3/4" after installation. My OME 3" was 3" on the money, same with my coworkers 2" his was deadnutz 2".

 

[shogun]

T&J Performance, they do jeepspeed stuff and know what works and doesnt. No sagging, good quality stuff. Recommend the chassis stiffeners too, really helps the on-road handling.

As for brakes, you can read all day about conversion this and junkyard that. I'd go with vanco pbs big brake kit. Without getting into the semantics, the xj brakes are junk and a new booster wont change that.

 

[subsonic]

I am currently running a RE 3.5 Superride on my XJ and am happy with it.

Out of your two choices, I would go with the BDS. This is what the shop sells and is familiar with and BDS has a fantastic warranty.

 

[irish1371]

If I was going to spend alot of time on road, I would go with the OME. I'm not an XJ guy, I put a full OME kit on my 98 TJ from northridge using the HD fr and rear spring set up. The wife said it rode better on road then our buick did. only thing I changed was a 1 1/4" spacer in the nose to take it up to lvl instead of the factory nose down. It flexed very well, rode very sooth, never lost height when I added small armor winch or front bumper. If I was set up to trim away I would put another OME 2.5" lift on my LJ and work it to use 35".

OME was top notch quality for me never had a reservation about their gear.

 

[tommudd]

OME
Had others and like OME on everything I have ran it on so far
I've found most all shops tend to sell what they have, not what you want
They don't always know the best

 

[Firehawkclone]

I've had notthing but problems with my BDS LA on my 93 ZJ. I've cracked the upper front rear brackets twice, do to the fact it comes with poly bushing on both ends. Thier JK systems have a flex joint. I have had to replace the poly on the axle end upper. I have also cracked the crossmember also. Now BDS has sent me all the parts free of charge, it's just a PITA fixing this all the time on a mildly used expo rig. Great warranty!

My buddy(BDS dearler) has an XJ that he has repaired the trackbar and replaced a cracked crossmember also.

 

[TimC]

I have a 1999 XJ with OME suspension. 934 coils in front, the light duty leaf packs with 1 OME add-a-leaf in each in the rear, and the long travel NitroCharger Sport shocks. 31" tires currently but the next set will be 245/75/16 Duratracs most likely. I love it. I had a 1996 XJ before this one with Rubicon Express 3.5" Superride and 2 different sets of mediocre shocks. I'm not saying the RE was bad, but I'm much happier with the OME set up for my needs. The RE rode MUCH stiffer than the OME I have now....granted I had crappy shocks and no armor for added weight on the 1996. My current 1999 also has no armor or bumpers, but I do plan on bumpers and maybe some armor at some point. The OME is firmer than stock but it definitely rides better/softer in my experience than my RE set up did. As mentioned, the RE also sat up much higher than 3.5". It was probably close to 5" in the back. I haven't measured the OME in awhile but it was right in the 3" ballpark at last measuring. Most of my driving is unfortunately highway/city, but it does see some dirt and National Forrest roads/trails, and the beach a couple times a year if I'm lucky. Overall, I'm definitely happy with the OME, and would certainly buy an OME set up again.

My wife has a 2001 XJ and I/we have OME plans for hers too. Hers has higher mileage and is a little rougher than mine, so I'm thinking spacer in front, OME rear springs, OME shocks, a little fender trimming, and 33x9.50x15 BFG All Terrains if I can find them. We'll see. I got my 1999 from a family friend of the wife's all stock, just under 60K miles, no rust, never wrecked, second owner, originally came from out west....and the previous owner told me it was headed to cash for clunkers if I hadn't bought it. Appalling. The only option it doesn't have, that I wish it did, is the Chrysler rear end. I haven't had any issues with the D35 thus far, plus it has the limited slip (which my 1996 with Chrysler rear didn't), so its good enough for now. Still want to put the Chrysler rear in it if I can find one with decent milage on it. Shortly after buying it however, the front D30 did eat itself on the highway. Between me, my parents, and sisters, we've had 5-6 XJ's and I've never seen that happen. I had a junkyard high pinion D30 put in it and the only things it has needed since have been an oil pressure sensor ($50) and a power window regulator (junkyard $30) aside from oil changes. It needs a water pump, which I have, but just need to get time. I also have a Advanced Adapters SYE for it but haven't gotten around to having it put in yet. There are some minor/moderate vibes at 50-60 MPH and up ,but not terrible. It's got 1 or 2 degree shims in back, which helped. Still want to have the SYE put in though. It's at 111,000 miles currently and I'm trying to keep it fresh as long as possible. My 1996 was taken off the road at 250,000ish miles but the motor still ran fine. It needed a clutch and the roof had developed a nasty rust patch that leaked in the rain. I just couldn't pass up the 1999.

Sorry for the ramble, hope the OME info helps.

 

[XJCamper]

I also have a 1999 XJ with much of the same set up as many of the other posts. I am currently running a RE 3.5" Superride lift which netted me about 4.25" in the front and slightly more in the rear. I am running a longer drive shaft with a SYE kit to reduce the angle and vibrations. I am running factory wheels with 33x10.50 BFG AT's with no (see ZERO) trimming. Granted I do not dissconnect; but I have zero rubbing. The only rubbing that I had to begin with was on the LCA's that are round from RE. I am running crappy shocks that need replacing but will do for a couple more months. The armor that is currently on the truck is bumpers from JCR, rear quarter pannel steel from out of business company, and a t-case skid from Warn. Don't forget to look into an adjustable track bar as well once you go up.
The RE ride is a little stiff offroad but handles like a sportscar on the road. My JEEP stays on the pavement for most of its life. I do occasional trail riding and lots of dirt roads. It is great on both. Once you get into the rougher, larger rocks you will realize that it is a stiffer ride.
Hope this helps.

 

[Bbasso]

Thanks everyone!
I have an appt for install.
BDS will be installed on the 19-20.
I'll report back then.

 

[Bbasso]

Just to update...
I dropped off the XJ this morning, they had much of the new stuff in by 4M.
The mechanic said that he was moving quickly because none of the nuts/bolts had caused him problems, he was impressed not dealing with the rust,dirt or nastys.
With some luck it will be turn key about 3M.
So I had to snap a before pic.
I'll be sure to put it in the same spot for a decent comparison.

 

[Bbasso]

not a great comparision picture... but what the hey.