Clayton Off Road Overland+ Short Arm Suspension Lift Kit | 4.5 Inches | Heavy Duty Control Arms | Adjustable Track Bar | 31" Tire Fitment | Requires SYE + CV Driveshaft | 1984–2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ | SKU: COR-3001045

Verified Fitment

Does NOT fit:

• 2002–2007 Jeep Liberty KJ — completely different platform; this kit is XJ-only
• Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ (1993–1998) — different platform; see COR-4104110
• Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ (1999–2004) — different platform; see COR-4106110
• Jeep Wrangler TJ, LJ, JK, JL — different suspension architecture
• Any XJ without a SYE kit and CV-style rear driveshaft installed or sourced — these are hard prerequisites; the kit cannot function correctly without them

Component Specifications

What Is and Is NOT Included

What you must source before this kit can be installed:

1. SYE (Slip Yoke Eliminator) kit — must be installed at the transfer case output shaft before the CV driveshaft can be fitted. This eliminates the factory slip yoke arrangement that becomes a geometry and vibration problem at 4.5" of lift.
2. CV-style rear driveshaft — the factory slip yoke driveshaft cannot be used at 4.5" of lift on the XJ. A CV-style rear driveshaft matched to your transfer case output and axle flange is required.
3. Shocks (Bilstein 5100 recommended) — the kit does not include shocks. Clayton recommends the Bilstein 5100 series as the direct-fit shock for this application. Have them sourced before installation begins to avoid downtime.

 Critical Compatibility

SYE kit. At 4.5" of lift on the XJ, the factory transfer case output uses a slip yoke arrangement that generates driveshaft vibration and u-joint binding at the new suspension angles. The SYE replaces the slip yoke with a fixed output, allowing a CV-style driveshaft to operate correctly at the lifted angle. Without the SYE, the driveshaft geometry problem remains and the lift kit cannot function as designed.

CV-style rear driveshaft. Once the SYE is installed, the factory slip yoke driveshaft is no longer the correct part — a CV-style driveshaft matched to the new transfer case output and axle flange is required. This is a separate order from the SYE kit. Source both simultaneously to avoid an extended build-down period.

Drilling capability. This is a fabrication installation. Unlike bolt-on lift kits designed for stock-framed vehicles, this Overland+ kit requires drilling during installation. If you don't have drill tooling and a solid work plan, plan for professional installation.

Tire sizing note: The 4.5" lift height is calibrated for 31" tire fitment on the XJ platform. Running significantly larger tires may require additional modifications (fender trimming, bump stop relocation, or further geometry correction). If you're targeting 33"+ tires, discuss with Clayton Off Road before ordering this specific kit.

Installation Notes

Skill level: Advanced. Fabrication experience and drilling required. A SYE install and driveshaft swap must precede or accompany this installation. Professional installation is strongly recommended if drilling and SYE/driveshaft work are outside your capability set.

Tools required: Drill and appropriate bits, standard suspension hand tools (torque wrench, spring compressor, breaker bar), jack and stands rated for the vehicle weight, SYE install tools (transfer case removal may be required depending on SYE type).

Pre-installation checklist — do not start without these:

• SYE kit ordered, received, and installed (or scheduled)
• CV-style rear driveshaft ordered, received, and ready to install
• Bilstein 5100 shocks (or alternate) sourced
• Drill tooling confirmed
• Alignment shop appointment scheduled for post-installation

Leaf spring shipping note: Leaf springs ship bare metal in a box. Surface rust and cosmetic marks from transit are normal and do not affect structural performance. Prime and coat the leaf springs before installation if corrosion resistance is a priority. Contact OFAS before ordering if you want freight/pallet shipping to minimize cosmetic transit damage.

At 182 lb, this kit requires appropriate lifting equipment and a second set of hands for safe installation. Do not attempt solo installation of this kit.

Post-installation requirements:

• Full front alignment (toe and caster) required — use a shop familiar with lifted XJ geometry
• Verify rear driveshaft operating angles after installation
• Re-torque all fasteners to specification after 100–200 miles of break-in driving

Common Questions

Do I absolutely need a SYE kit and CV driveshaft?
Yes — both are hard requirements, not suggestions. At 4.5" of lift, the factory slip yoke arrangement creates geometry problems (vibration, u-joint binding, driveshaft angle issues) that the SYE eliminates. The CV driveshaft then properly manages the corrected transfer case output at the new suspension angles. Clayton's own product page states these as requirements. The kit will not function correctly without them.

What shocks does Clayton recommend for this kit?
Bilstein 5100 series — confirmed as the direct-fit shock recommendation for the XJ Overland+ application. Shocks are not included in the kit. Source them before installation begins to avoid delays.

My leaf springs arrived with surface rust — is that normal?
Yes. Clayton ships leaf springs bare metal in a box, and surface rust from transit is explicitly documented as expected, non-damaging, and not eligible for return or replacement. Prime and coat before installation. For cosmetic-condition-sensitive orders, contact OFAS before ordering — freight/pallet shipping is available at additional cost.

Will this kit fit 33" tires?
The 4.5" lift is optimized for 31" tires on the XJ platform. Running 33"+ may require additional modifications including fender trimming and bump stop adjustments. Verify with Clayton Off Road before ordering if your target tire size is significantly above 31".

Does this fit the Jeep Liberty KJ?
No. The 2002–2007 Jeep Liberty is a completely different platform. This kit is 1984–2001 Cherokee XJ only.

What's the difference between COR-3001045 (Overland+) and COR-3001030?
COR-3001030 appears to be an earlier version at a lighter shipping weight. COR-3001045 is the current Overland+ designation. If you're referencing COR-3001030 from a third-party listing, verify the current product is COR-3001045 before purchasing.

The Obsidian Take

The COR-3001045 is a serious build kit for a serious build platform. The XJ Cherokee is a compact, capable, body-on-frame truck that remains one of the most purpose-efficient off-road platforms ever produced. It also went out of production in 2001, meaning every XJ on the road today is at minimum 24 years old — and the builders running them hard on the trail know exactly what they're doing.

The 4.5" Overland+ hits the inflection point on the XJ where the suspension geometry upgrade pays off most. Below 3", most XJ owners can get by with spacers and lift blocks. At 4.5", the geometry demands proper engineering — corrected control arm angles, adjustable track bar for axle centering, and the prerequisite SYE/CV driveshaft work that eliminates the factory slip yoke's limitation at this lift height. The Overland+ delivers all of that in a system-tested package.

The three prerequisites (SYE, CV driveshaft, drilling) are the buy-in cost for doing this correctly. There are budget alternatives that ignore those requirements — they just don't work as well, wear out faster, and vibrate on the highway. Clayton's philosophy is the opposite: build it once, build it right, back it with a lifetime warranty.

For the XJ owner who's committed to 31" tires and real off-road use, this is the correct kit. For the casual street-driven XJ owner who wants a mild lift, this is overbuilt for the application and the SYE/CV requirements will add significant cost and complexity to the project.

This SKU is for: 1984–2001 Cherokee XJ owners who have or plan to install a SYE kit and CV-style rear driveshaft, have drilling capability or access to a fabrication shop, are targeting 31" tire fitment, and want a system-tested, lifetime-warranted Overland+ suspension that corrects geometry at 4.5" of lift.

This SKU is NOT for: Jeep Liberty KJ owners (wrong platform), Grand Cherokee ZJ or WJ owners (different kits required), XJ owners who haven't sourced a SYE and CV driveshaft, anyone expecting a simple bolt-on installation, anyone targeting significantly larger than 31" tires without verifying additional modification requirements, or anyone planning a solo installation without appropriate lifting equipment.

Manufacturer Data Disclaimer
Product specifications, fitment data, and feature details are sourced from Clayton Off Road manufacturer documentation and verified third-party technical references current at the time of publication. Clayton Off Road reserves the right to modify product specifications without notice. Confirm SYE kit, CV driveshaft, and drilling requirements before ordering. OFAS is not responsible for incompatibility resulting from missing prerequisite components or failure to complete required installation steps.

Prop 65 Warning
⚠ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

Non-Returnable Notice
This item is non-returnable once installed. Leaf spring cosmetic marks from shipping are not defects and are not eligible for return or replacement per Clayton Off Road's stated shipping policy. Verify SYE, CV driveshaft, and drilling requirements before ordering. Questions before ordering? Text (469) 407-7538.