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Author Topic: Lift recomendations needed  (Read 1727 times)

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Offline Evil-Jeep

  • UberWheeler
  • Posts: 319
Lift recomendations needed
« on: May 17, 2013, 10:51:36 AM »
New axles, new tires on the way...... now to add some lift.

Going to run 33x12.5s on a new set of dana 44s front and rear with ARB air lockers with 4.56 gears.

Terrain is mostly mud and light hills where I am.


Thinking of going with a 3inch lift.

Not looking to break the bank on this as I have put in a fair bit for the axles already,

what do you guys recommend?
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”

Offline BUKI

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Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2013, 12:35:05 PM »
Ha. Let the games begin.
First when you ask for opinions, you need to give WAY more info. I'm on tap atalk so I can't see your picture well. I think those are round headlights, so I'm assuming tj. I have a yj personally, but if I was to do up a tj I would probably go with An OME kit for the soft supple ride everyone brags about. I'd only go 2" and cut the crap out of the fenders with BW flat fender flairs or if I had money metal cloak. No need for a SYE and cv ds.


Sent from my iProne

Offline Evil-Jeep

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Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2013, 12:46:16 PM »
Thanks Buki,

I was fully expecting more questions.....

It is a TJ,

I am trying to keep the cost to less than $750 and upgrade as I break stuff,
« Last Edit: May 17, 2013, 12:49:02 PM by Evil-Jeep »
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”

Offline JackstandJohnny

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Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2013, 12:57:50 PM »
2-3" kit of some sort, 2" body lift, and 35s. tummy tuck and motor mount lift. woop
~ rescue green JKUR on 35s.  typical rubicon build

Offline Jrama

  • That CB Yapper
  • Posts: 923
Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2013, 03:16:11 PM »
3" zone, and 1.25" BL

All the lift is... is coils and shocks. Stock arms and all, works great until you can put more money in and upgrade parts and switch out stock components.

http://www.zoneoffroad.ca/suspension/jeep/tj-wrangler/3-suspension-kit-tj-zonj2/ $488
1.25 BL is about $125

Shipping and Misc  100-125 ish

=$715ish

oops found this...even better

http://www.zoneoffroad.ca/suspension/jeep/tj-wrangler/4-25-combo-lift-zonj25/
« Last Edit: May 17, 2013, 03:22:32 PM by Jrama »

Offline bullitt85

  • Budget Lift
  • Posts: 143
Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2013, 09:20:53 AM »
I went with a clayton long arm kit for my TJ, I am glad I spent the money on it, I have not had any problems with it, though it was expensive.
In the 750$ range I would look into a BDS budget lift. If you stay around that 3'' mark from the forum surfing I did before I pulled the trigger on mine you can keep the short arm set up without hurting the stability.

Offline Evil-Jeep

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Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2013, 07:55:29 PM »
Thanks all,

I decided on a rough country, 4" lift, as well as an adjustable front tack bar


not the best out there, but for $540 for arms links, coils and Shocks. It will get me started.
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”

Offline Evil-Jeep

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Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2013, 11:19:24 AM »
More questions......
So 4 inch lift, 33" tires

I have ordered an adjustable front track bar,
new steering stabilizer
new sway bar disconnects.

what am I missing to complete this?
Do I need a drop pitman arm for this height?
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”

Offline binare

  • That CB Yapper
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Re:
« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2013, 11:53:39 AM »
Why not just a 2.5 suspension and an 1 1/4 body lift? Then you can ditch the track bar, pave the way for a tummy tuck and reduce your vibe/steering issues in the future. Money saved on all the other parts you won't need can go towards a motor mount lift, more then likely eliminating any vibe issues all together. Then you can get a nicer lift as well. If you want to take a closer look at a TJ setup like this, send me a pm.

I'm pretty well repeating the advice you've been given already. Its damn good advice, that's why.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Offline Evil-Jeep

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Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2013, 12:52:51 PM »
its not that I didn't agree with the other advice, I decided on this route as this is not the end point for this TJ, it is only a stopping point for this year, and allows me to see what I like/don't like, before going bigger in the next year or two.

I also realized that there was about as many different points of view, as there are options. Everything from 3" body lift, Combo lift to long arm kits, to accomplish what I need.

I figured for the $500 spent on a 4" kit if I really don't like it I am only out $500 and I will have learned what I don't like.

This is the same reason, I spent for new D44 front and rear with cromolly shafts, lockers and 4.56 gears for 33's. Its massive overkill for what I am going to wheel today, but again this isn't the end point for this build.
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”

Offline Bnine

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Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2013, 08:35:12 AM »
its not that I didn't agree with the other advice, I decided on this route as this is not the end point for this TJ, it is only a stopping point for this year, and allows me to see what I like/don't like, before going bigger in the next year or two.

I also realized that there was about as many different points of view, as there are options. Everything from 3" body lift, Combo lift to long arm kits, to accomplish what I need.

I figured for the $500 spent on a 4" kit if I really don't like it I am only out $500 and I will have learned what I don't like.

This is the same reason, I spent for new D44 front and rear with cromolly shafts, lockers and 4.56 gears for 33's. Its massive overkill for what I am going to wheel today, but again this isn't the end point for this build.

Except its not a 500$ lift. to properly run a 4" lift without dropping your belly pana, and completely defeating the purpose of said 4" lift, you need to do a SYE and a driveshaft.

Without doing a super short SYE, you would prevent yourself from being able to do a reliable tuck in the future and still have functional suspension.

The absolute max you can go on a stock wheelbase TJ is 6" of total "lift" when seperating the rear output from the pinion. And that is using a super short SYE. So whether thats 3" lift, and 3" tuck, or 4" and 2", doesnt matter.

And honeslty, thats really to much. You will eat joints if you actually set the suspension up with decent droop.

So, it comes back to 9 out 10 experienced recommendations always recommending 2-3" of suspension, and 1-2" of body lift.

You dont frack with your driveline.

You leave room to tuck. (critical)

You dont lose driveability due to shitty castor, high cog, driveline vibes, etc etc

You dont wast money buying parts twice.

You dont need to spend the extra 1000$ on a SS SYE and driveshaft right away.


I know you got confused because so many recommendations came at with out explanaition, so basically you said "frack it" and just ordered up a 4".

Not the end of the world, but the reason nobody recommended it is because 4" suspension lifts have been known to be to much for TJ's for years when if comes to your real wheeling advocates.

These days we arent running 4" of suspension lift unless we are stretching out to 106" plus wheelbase and running more than a 40" tires.

And honestly, there are at least a half a dozen guys that have been here, or are here now that have purchased the exact same suspsension as you, only to rip it all off the jeep after a season or two and replace it with quality parts. Essentially, buyer beware.

But hey. Its a live and lear thing. Not like you are the only guy here to ever put multiple suspensions on your jeep. My first jeep went through a few setups before I finished. :)


Oh, and to answer your original question. Budget boost with longer shocks and a 1.25" body lift until you are ready for more upgrades.\

When you are ready to go bigger, in no real order.

Raised fenders
Real 2" springs
Tummy tucked
Relocated shock mounts and long travel shocks
Beadlocks
35's
cage
track bar
arms
hydro assist
air
swaybars

Built. Finished. Go anywhere. Done once.



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403-483-1083
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Offline Evil-Jeep

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Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #11 on: June 10, 2013, 01:23:11 PM »
thanks Bnine,

I do expect to be putting in a new suspension next year.

I went with this decision as the old arms were getting worn, and needed to be replaced and the kit came with springs, arms, and shocks. It also came with a transfer case drop so hopefully that will reduce the vibe issues for now.

I have excepted that the lift is the week point of the build for the time being but after spending $12k already this year on the jeep, I figured it was not in my best interest by spending anymore before the wife kicks my arse out and I end sleeping in the jeep....... or even worse she gets jealous and I have to figure out how to afford to project jeeps ;).


The advice from everyone was certainly appreciated, and the cautionary notes were certainly heard.
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”

Offline Bnine

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Re: Lift recomendations needed
« Reply #12 on: June 10, 2013, 01:54:40 PM »
A year is about what you can expect out of that lift, depending on how much you wheel, and at least its cheap enough you can flog the stuff you pull off it for a cheap and buy some decent parts later.

Worse decisions have been made.

Good luck
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