The Rough Country 4-inch X-Series...
The Rough Country 4-inch X-Series system added a great deal of versatility to our 1999 Grand Cherokee. The kit features Rough Country’s X-Flex front lower adjustable control arms and Performance 2.2 Series shocks to fit LT265/75R Falken WildPeak tires. All that riding on stock wheels means a low entry level cost for great results.
Not all suspension upgrades have to be difficult. When exploring lift options for our daily driver, a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ, we simply wanted to fit a slightly larger tire while improving the ride on both the highway and the trail. We also wanted to accomplish this task using our stock wheels and with minimal vehicle down time.
We’ve used Rough Country Suspension products in the past and have been impressed with what’s included in the package for the price, as well as with the performance of the products. These experiences led us to Rough Country’s 4-inch X-Series Grand Cherokee WJ System, which is equipped with Rough Country’s front lower adjustable control arms with X-Flex joints and Performance 2.2 Series shocks.
We’ve owned this Grand since...
We’ve owned this Grand since its beginning. Most of its 125,000 miles occurred on factory springs, but Old Man Emu springs went in place around 75,000 miles and have served well ever since.
The Rough Country system includes everything needed to properly raise 1999-to-2004 Grand Cherokees. Front components include coil springs, lower adjustable control arms with X-flex joints, extended sway-bar quick disconnects, bumpstop spacers, an adjustable track bar, transmission crossmember spacers, and installation hardware. The rear also gets coil springs, along with an upper control arm bracket, bumpstop extensions, sway-bar drop brackets, a rear shock relocation kit, and installation hardware. Rough Country’s Performance 2.2 Series shocks for the front and rear are also included with the kit.
We really like the new ride provided by the Rough Country X-Series system. The spring rates are ideal for daily driver rigs that like to weekend in the dirt, offering a nice highway ride that remains controlled on the trail. We also really like the Rough Country Performance 2.2 Series shocks that are application-tuned for the X-Series system. The kit is designed to fit 265/75 size tires on factory wheels. Rough Country includes rear lower shock relocation brackets so the shocks won’t rub the rear tires.
The stock control arms were...
The stock control arms were in fairly good shape for their age and would likely last for longer, however the taller springs call for adjustable control arms in order to maintain factory handling characteristics.
Grand Cherokee models equipped with the factory CV-style front driveshaft may result in some driveshaft vibration. If this occurs, replacing the front driveshaft and axle and transfer case yokes/pinion flanges is recommended in order to alleviate the issue. We are experiencing this vibration and will fix the problem with new front and rear driveshafts and yokes from Tom Wood’s Custom Drive Shafts.
During the suspension installation we also noticed a heavy leak from the transfer case front seal and the driver’s side front axle seal. Since we have more than 125,000 miles on the dial, we’ll also explore a transfer case rebuild and address some of the weaker points of the front and rear axles. Look forward to these articles and more as we outfit our Grand Cherokee WJ to be used as a family adventure vehicle.
What’s the difference between...
What’s the difference between a 265/75 and a 265/70 tire? With all the metrics talk it’s hard to tell one from the other but there is an inch of difference between the two. That’s an LT265/75R16 Falken WildPeak shown with a well-used LT265/70R16 BFG All-Terrain. The BFG All-Terrain measures 30.6 inches in diameter. The Falken WildPeak measures 31.6 inches in diameter. Both offer a 10.4-inch section width.
The factory rear wishbone...
The factory rear wishbone suspension is a great asset to the ’99-to-’04 Grand Cherokee and is often considered one of Jeep’s premier factory suspension arrangements of its time.
The Rough Country X-Series...
The Rough Country X-Series kit is simple and that’s one of the things we like about it. It isn’t a rocket science install, either: taller springs, longer and performance-tuned shocks, adjustable front lower control arms, adjustable track bar, and a few brackets, and that’s it.
Here the front RC coils are...
Here the front RC coils are shown next to a set of OME standard rate stock replacement coils. The OME coils are designed to sit at roughly stock height while adding additional weight carrying capacity. The RC coils provide a greater degree of lift but are still capable of handling the factory load rating.
The rear OME coils are shown...
The rear OME coils are shown with the RC coils. Again, the size difference is noticeable. We were pleased with the performance of the OME coil springs and shocks but desired a taller tire and stance.
The Rough Country X-Series...
The Rough Country X-Series system uses RC’s X-Flex joints at the uni-body end of the RC adjustable control arm. The joints are easily serviceable should any damage occur during extreme ’wheeling situations.
Rough Country’s X-Flex joints...
Rough Country’s X-Flex joints feature adjustable retainer rings so that the bushings can be preloaded prior to installation. Additionally, a threaded chamber inside the housing offers the ability to modify the amount of compression on the bushings and friction on the spherical ball at any given time by simply adjusting the end retainer ring using the included adjustment tool.
Steel sleeves are installed...
Steel sleeves are installed in the urethane bushings at the axle end of the RC adjustable control arm.
Shown next to the factory...
Shown next to the factory control arm the Rough Country X-Flex joints and adjustable arms are huge. The joints use a 2.5-inch-diameter body and have 1.25-inch threads. Each joint also includes a grease zerk.
The adjustable control arms...
The adjustable control arms are made from 1.75-inch-diameter, 0.31-inch wall HD tubing. For the 4-inch lift the arms are set at 16 inches but they can be adjusted to greater length to accommodate up to 8 inches of lift.
The front extended sway bar...
The front extended sway bar links are set to the proper length before installation.
The front sway bar links were...
The front sway bar links were then bolted up to the factory mounts. The Rough Country Performance 2.2 Series shock were next on the list.
The Off Road Evolution crew...
The Off Road Evolution crew finished up the front installation by bolting up the control arms.
The rear upper arm (wishbone)...
The rear upper arm (wishbone) spacer bracket was installed atop the rear pumpkin using the provided crush sleeves, washers, and 14mm bolts.
Rough Country includes bump...
Rough Country includes bump stop and sway bar mount extensions for the rear of the Grand Cherokee.