SUSPENSION CHECK LIST

[FirstTimer]

Hey everyone,

  I'm looking to do a 3-4" lift on my 2002 TJ Sport 4.0l Manual with max 33" tires on 15x8" rims.  I come to you all because I've been glued to the internet researching lift kits for the last two weeks.  I've looked at everything from BDS to ZONE ( same company apparently) and, just like with all products out there, price and components vary a great deal.  So in order to make the best decision on what kit to get I was hoping someone, or someones could give their two cents (or is it sense) on what parts I need in order to have a smooth running lift kit that wont cause me any mechanical issues or tweeking down the road (besides obvious upkeep).  FYI, I am not looking for the most hard core set up, as this will be my monday-friday ride and my weekend warrior!

Thanks for your time and input! 

[WhiteOut]

Personally I would go Rubicon Express coils and control arms, JKS trackbars, Bilstein shocks, JKS quick disconnects for the swaybar, BPEs and shock mount conversions to run eye-eye shocks.

Oddly this looks exactly like my setup, which I love.

[AV.NINE]

Why not start with a zone lift, re adjustable track bar, and a re hack and tap? $800 and you'll have a really decent rig. Later add bds adjustable control arms uppers first then lowers.

Just plug away, but start cheap. If you find the cheap set up is working stick with it. But my bet is one day you'll want 35s then 37s lol.... Experience talking.

Just the way I would do it. Some guys will say build it once, get an expensive kit right away and leave it alone. But I love working on my jeep and my wife loves me not spending huge gobs of money at once.

$0.02 for yea!

[w squared]

Take a look for the thread that Slewfoot started about lifing his LJ. He got a lot of advice in that thread from people that know a lot about TJ's and all the wonderful ways to make them wobble.

[FirstTimer]

Whiteout, what that mix and match set up cost you? I ve read great thing s about ask those parts

[hps4evr]

how bout 2inch old man emu coils, 1 inch daystar body lift with 1 inch engine lift for driveline angle, bushwacker flat flares and fit 33" tires. if you unhook the sway bars off road you might get some rubbing at full lock and full flex, but if you get the right rims and tires it may be minor rub only. but this set-up keeps the suspension very close to stock and you wont get a lot of the annoyances with heavily modified jeeps.
that would ne my 2 cents....

[FirstTimer]

Hps4Ever, are you uggesting to keep as close to stock for maintenance reason, ride quality reasons or both?

[WhiteOut]

Less parts that require upkeep (greasing, torquing etc..)

The cost for my stuff will vary from yours since I have a Grand Cherokee, not a TJ. I'll send you a PM.

[tubby]

I would actually lean towards what "Hps4ever" is suggesting. That combination would make for a DD that is enjoyable to drive on and off the trail. It would mirror what I would do if I was going to mod a TJ on a modest budget.

[FirstTimer]

If I go with the ome set up suggested, what happens when I want to upgrade...as I ve been told I will!  Do that being said, Any thoughts on the new  2.5" rough country x series, with the adjustable control arms?

[tubby]

Rough Country eh?

I"ve helped "Rubi03Jef" install one in June of 09. How's that kit holding up for you Jeff?

You could always sell your "gently used" OME stuff  in the future if you decide to go that route. I don't think I have any of my old shocks, leafs, coils, and whatever from my past suspension lift-kit left in my garage.

Old Jeep parts just end up being used in someone else's rig for them to enjoy. It's how Jeeple recycle?

I don't think I've ever come across anyone who has disliked their OME stuff come to think about it.

[BlackYJ]

You can't beat OME suspension lifts.  They are amazing on and off the road.  There used to be a Jeep on the board that run a OME lift with I think a 1" body lift and 35s with no problems.  He had to adjust the bump stops but his jeep ran awesome.

If you are fairly new to the addiction, I would tend to stay small and get used to your rig first before slapping on 4" lift and 33"

[Joel]

I don't think I've ever come across anyone who has disliked their OME stuff come to think about it.

This.  and sometimes, you may even hear someone say they should have stayed with the OME /33 combo instead of going bigger.   

Very simple lift, keeps everything relatively stock and greatly improves ride quality over the stock suspension.

[parabs]

how bout 2inch old man emu coils, 1 inch daystar body lift with 1 inch engine lift for driveline angle, bushwacker flat flares and fit 33" tires. if you unhook the sway bars off road you might get some rubbing at full lock and full flex, but if you get the right rims and tires it may be minor rub only. but this set-up keeps the suspension very close to stock and you wont get a lot of the annoyances with heavily modified jeeps.
that would ne my 2 cents....

x3

I currently have 33x13.5's on a stock suspension w/o rubbing, well, w/o much rubbing.  I have the 2" OME kit but I just havent installed it yet, but as hps4evr says, if you DD your jeep this is the most cost effective way to go.

Or, you can go to AEV and get their highline kit, and you can run 37's with 3" of lift.

That rough country x-series stuff is supposed to be pretty good.  there are 60 some pages on that kit on jeep forum.  Some times there are issues where the springs sag out, and I dont know if their shocks are any good, but if youre going to go with a quality set of control arms I would look to Currie if I was you.

I would say that if you go with OME, rather than use the trackbar relocation kit, spend a bit extra and buy adjustable trackbars, as that will be better for the future. (should you change your lift)

Rough Country eh?

I"ve helped "Rubi03Jef" install one in June of 09. How's that kit holding up for you Jeff?

You could always sell your "gently used" OME stuff  in the future if you decide to go that route. I don't think I have any of my old shocks, leafs, coils, and whatever from my past suspension lift-kit left in my garage.

Old Jeep parts just end up being used in someone else's rig for them to enjoy. It's how Jeeple recycle?

I don't think I've ever come across anyone who has disliked their OME stuff come to think about it.

I have had no less than 7 inquiries on my OME kit that isnt installed on my Jeep, and I didnt say I wanted to sell it...just yet anyways.

IMHO, if you are dead set on 3" of lift, I would start with the AEV Nth degree 3" springs and bilstein 5100's for shocks, and build around that.

[w squared]

Since someone started bringing up OME...I've got OME coils and shocks on my JK, and after a year of DD and trail use I'm very happy. Everyone that I know of who installed OME and also installed the appropriate parts from other manufacturers (since OME doesn't make adjustable track bars or control arms) has been very pleased with the kit.