91 Laredo

I finally got around to installing the Zone Offroad 3" lift. I was skeptical at first as they are a new company (however they are branched off BDS), but the parts appeared to be pretty high quality for the price.

The front end was a breeze. Everything came apart nicely and went in smooth (aside from one spring retainer bolt which stripped when I put it back in) Already had a spring compressor and used it to minimize the amount of stuff to unbolt.

The rear was a pain in the *****. Everything came apart fine, but the AAL was very difficult to add to my existing pack and compress, etc.... I fought it for a few hours.

Took it for a maiden voyage and the heard a not so pleasant banging noise. I suspected it was the driveline angle and whipped up a quick TC drop (1" square tubing) which seemed to mask the problem (I am running the 242/8.25 combo)

Truck is definatley stiffer than before (AAL of course) but not too horrible, still better than my SA Toyota truck.

I got EXACTLY 3" of lift in the front. In the rear it is a little higher which I hope will settle some (AAL so I am sure it will). Driver side 3.5" and passenger about 4.5" (Yes, I measured it 2x's) The rear sits up pretty high and I am sure its related to the rear driveline issues.

Here are some pics. I am still debating on center caps on the wheels. The newer set are off a 06 Wrangler. The newer tires are 30's. Wanted 31's but the 30's were too good of a deal to pass up.

Comments on center caps?

You think rear AAL's will settle some?

Teal96XJ

Looks good man i will be doin the same size lift as well with some 31's.......

XJ?2010

looks good and i think it will settle after a little while

Teal96XJ

Since it's a AAL it should settle in a few months......

Guitrplyr423

what size tire is on it in the first pic?

grn99

Did you use c-clamps or quick grips to do AAL? Just did a set of Zone AALs on my cousins. Had no problems at all. A year ago I did a set of Skyjacker AALs and those were difficult.
You'll like the Zone products, tuff as nails.

muddeprived

I like the caps on.

whowey

Why did you have such difficulty with the AAL???

A couple of C-clamps and its a done deal....

Or one of my favorite moves... a long bolt and nut in the center pin hole...

muddeprived

Sometimes the clamp isn't long enough. I had that issue with my first RC AAL. i bought the biggest c-clamp the parts store had at that time (next largest size was out of stock) and it wasn't long enough to clamp the AAL so i used a jack and jacked up the AAL till it was closer and then clamped it. With 6 beers down, it took me a while to think of that.

91 Laredo

235/75/15's

As far as the AAL's go yes I used two 6" C-clamps. I dont know why I had so much trouble, I've done them before and I remember it being easier.

Clamping wasnt the problem, it was getting the center hole to line up after all was compressed together. The AAL had so much arch that when I compressed it down the hole would shift. Maybe I was doing something wrong ? I am a little concerned since it should have been easy.....

muddeprived

thats normal. you could take a long philips screwdriver or spare bolt and run it through the holes to keep things lined up.

whowey

Ahh.... I see... 5/16ths bolt in the center pin hole.

jeep98b

On the center cap opinion I would keep the 06 ones from the TJ on it.

havensov

Good job! Great look and good review.

REWSTER

looks good