What lift to use?

[dunl]

If it is your second lifted rig, then I'd suggest an OME lift as well.

Some of the spacers kits do have their low-end-price-point as a quick introductory kit for the new guy/gal looking to get into wheeling with a rig they're not planning to keep long term.  97 TJ that's kind of rusty, lots of pinstriping, weekend wheeler on a budget?  Sure.


For a new 2012 JK that's going to be around for a while, go with the higher end.

(besides...everyone knows that the JK guys have lots of cash to throw around.......)   

[Delco21]

Just a side note.......this would be the first lifted JK for Delco, but not his first lifted rig. He has had a lifted Commander for a few years now and I know it was more than a spacer lift. In the end, I think you will be much happier with a quality kit like the OME or AEV on this rig, but I'm basing that on the OME kit I have in my WK. Guys like Todd and other JK owners would be the best guys to provide feedback.

Did you check out the JK club here in town to get their feedback? There's no better advice than the advice from people driving those rigs.

PS Jamal.......I still like your TJ lol

Very true the commander had an AEV lift and I did love it

Basically this jeep will be a daily driver and a once in a while wheeler I just dont want to go too high as I want it to still be practical for the family thats why I had looked at spacer lifts

I think I will be looking at AEV to see what kits they offer around 2.5-3" of lift

I have also asked over on JK owners forum seems like alot of guys and gals on there are running 4.5" lifts

[Jrama]

You called me stupid....You  assumed that I was comparing a more complete kit to something like the zone 3"  and you assumed I was unaware of tracking and caster?   So yeah....called me dumb..I don't care though, _{Kill you next time I see you}

 Zone never says their kit is complete...no manufacturer does unless its a high dollar kit. Fact is Brackets work , and caster does not need to be adjusted with such low lift heights...Dude running no sway bar is MUCH more dangerous than having a trac-bar bracket...not even a comparison...I know this from continual firsthand experience.

Saying that Zone and BDS aren't the same is just silly, I have called and talked to them.....yup, and have firsthand experience to back up what the internets tell me to be true in terms of performance. Again with the assumptions.....I keep hearing how every single lift apart from a select few companies will implode into a blackhole and be the ultimate downfall of humanity... in my personal experience that is just not true apart from the well known lemon lifts out and about.


End of the day, OME is great I know this because guys like Todd and many others run it and are happy, but that doesn't mean there are not other cost effective reasonable ways for guys to get into 4wheelin.

[jeepgrl]

Since I've been mentioned a few times...

my vote is definitely for AEV. You WILL spend a bit more $$ on it, but it seriously drives like a cadillac on the pavement and it's a smooth, smooth ride off-road.  I have ridden in Todd's OME lift (W Squared) and although it's a nice stiff suspension, I find it a bit hard on the rough trails.  The AEV relocates your steering components, track bar, and levels off the JK so it rides flat.  I have NO COMPLAINTS on or off-road.  When this eventually goes, it will be another AEV to replace it. 

I would definitely suggest you do your research... I rode in 4 different lifted JKs before deciding on mine.  If you want to go for a ride to try out the AEV let me know.  I'll let you try it out. 

[silverfox]

Since I've been mentioned a few times...
I have ridden in Todd's OME lift (W Squared) and although it's a nice stiff suspension, I find it a bit hard on the rough trails. 

Hmmmm,

T and I run the same lift......set up a little differently perhaps...but essentially the same.  Mine is anything but rough on the trails and handles extremely well.  As a couple of people here can attest I am a big fan of the skinny pedal "Baja time Ron?"  or perhaps a little Dukes of Hazzard Wilderness roads? 

In the end find your budget...........do your research.........and get what you want.  Every one of us here has the best rigs that wheel the best and have perfect on road behavior

If I had nothing but time and money I would stick with the OME and add coil overs.............beef up the steering and even with my mini van engine I would be perfectly happy (ok maybe gears and a supercharger too)..........actually I am pretty happy with what I have now.

You can always get better...........somebody will always have better than you...........and in the end it is mechanical and if you wheel it long enough and at the maximum of it and your capability something will break.........know your limits (both financially and in terms of what your rig will do) and live within it............otherwise you will find it parked. 

[tubby]

You can always get better...........somebody will always have better than you...........and in the end it is mechanical and if you wheel it long enough and at the maximum of it and your capability something will break.........know your limits (both financially and in terms of what your rig will do) and live within it............otherwise you will find it parked. 

This is possibly some of the best advice I've come across on here.

[w squared]

Mine is anything but rough on the trails and handles extremely well.  As a couple of people here can attest I am a big fan of the skinny pedal "Baja time Ron?"  or perhaps a little Dukes of Hazzard Wilderness roads? 

I think that the difference is that mine has a few more miles on it, bumpstops that don't offer the same "squishy" stoppage of bumps that they used to, and 3/4" less uptravel on the front right hand side courtesy of the track bar mount integrated into the truss.

[Spinalguy]

I think that the difference is that mine has a few more miles on it, bumpstops that don't offer the same "squishy" stoppage of bumps that they used to, and 3/4" less uptravel on the front right hand side courtesy of the track bar mount integrated into the truss.

Interesting as a few more miles has a tendency to SOFTEN things up

[JackstandJohnny]

Chris, i don't think it really matters what spacers you use.  they're all made of the same stuff i do believe. and all will affect geometry/ride the same. (assuming its the same height)

but don't cheap out on shocks; that is the most important thing.  run Bilsteins or those OME nitros? if they're so good (never ran em, so i can't comment. lots of people swear by em. i do run bilsteins. they are worth every penny) 

i've run just about every cheap shock you can name (skycrapper, Rough country, Rubicon Express, rusty's, procomp, rancho, zone) and they're all the same; crap, last a year tops then you replace them.
i had a rubicon shock last no longer than a few weeks before it leaked.

so ya. spacer lift? get what you want.  but don't cheap out on the shocks. 

[w squared]

Interesting as a few more miles has a tendency to SOFTEN things up

The harshness that Jeepgrl was referring to was the front right bumpstop. You're right, the miles have softened up the coils and the shocks don't dampen quite as much as they used to....combine that with reduced uptravel...and yeah, it's an irritant for me. I'm just gritting my teeth and bearing with it until I decide whether to go ACOS/Air bump combo, or go with coilovers and air bumps up front. Well, I need to have some some funds on hand before I do that too.