Author Topic: Lift Kit Help...... (Read 2720 times)

sloria · « **on:** December 03, 2006, 10:53:57 PM »

hey guys a newbe here looking for a bit of help, im looking to run BFG AT 35/12.5 tires under my jeep, my situation is as follows:

1998 TJ Sahara sock excpt the following:

2" body lift
running 33/12.5' with the front sway bar removed......(Barley)

looking for sugestions on a quality kit, that rides smooth and looks good. i do about 100k of highway evryday, but like to wheel when i can...
ive called Modern and National with very differing directions.... ideas??? and recomondations on where to get it done.. Thanks in advance

apex · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:34:54 AM »

to clear 35's you should likely put a 4" long arm kit if you have the coin.

either that or buy a sawzall and cut away whatever you don't need.

budget can be unlimited when building a rig, so really figure a price and stick to it. You can drop $4k-8$k really fast going with a good setup. Or you can do it for $1k and have a not-so-good setup. (like me)

BlackYJ · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2006, 08:06:53 AM »

Well if you want to run 35s and perform decent on the street you will have to regear to 4.56s, and if you are regearing you might as well throw some lockers in there too, so just with that you are looking at $2000-4000 (give or take).

Now for the lift, 4" would be a minimum, but you will probably need about 5" to clear 35s nicely. Long-arms are great but also very expensive kits, plus the installs can get very pricy. Lots of people running RE, Rockkralwer, fabtech, etc. and there are lots of people running custom kits. Do LOTS of research and that usually answers a lot of questions.

cablesmurf · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2006, 10:51:48 AM »

Okay, since I've been a Jeeper for quite some time, I can give some actual facts, and not a bunch of hearsay from the webwheelers.

Since you already have a 2" BL...you will be fine witha 4" kit. You DO NOT NEED LONGARMS. although they do rise a little better and offer a little more flex, they are not necissary. WHat do youthink people did before long arm kits?

I reccomend the Rockkrawler 4.0 X Factor short arm kit as it is very complete and well built. It also eliminates the need for a rear trackbar. Go with the optional (but free) weld in cradle upgrade...it is stronger and is easier to access your rear diff if you dio a gear swap.

http://www.rockkrawler.com/

or, for the exact same price you could get this....

RE 4.5" superflex kit . Opt for the rear trackbar option and ditch the trackbar bracket. That is the kits only real weak link.

http://www.rubiconexpress.com/Jeep-Wrangler-TJ-Suspension-Systems.aspx?XnPath=173,177&Vid=D4A260527

6" will be plenty of room to clear 35's.

If you feel you absolutely have to have the longarm kit...I recommend the Rockkrawler 4.0 X Factor Plus kit. Is is the best bang for the buck IMHO. Do not go too high with your Jeep, you will not like how it rides and will become very tippy on the trails. Also, once you go past 4" of suspension, you will need a SYE and a new rear driveshaft. YOU DO NOT NEED THIS WITH 4" OF LIFT.

If you decide to go with the Rockkrawler product, contact Rob at Hoyboyz...he is good to deal with and will give you an excellent price.

http://www.hoyboyz.com/

(403) 317-5741

Good luck...and like flava flav said "don't believe the hype!"

cablesmurf · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2006, 10:58:37 AM »

I agree with this statement...

Quote from: "BlackYJ"

Well if you want to run 35s and perform decent on the street you will have to regear to 4.56s

But I strongly disagree with this statement...

Quote

and if you are regearing you might as well throw some lockers in there too

If you are new, wheel for a while without lockers. I agree that you will get father with them, but they will make your vehicle very unpredictable, on and off road. Get some wheeling experience first before you go to lockers. Buy a winch first. It's money better spent.

BlackYJ · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2006, 11:11:09 AM »

Quote from: "cablesmurf"

But I strongly disagree with this statement...

Quote
and if you are regearing you might as well throw some lockers in there too

If you are new, wheel for a while without lockers. I agree that you will get father with them, but they will make your vehicle very unpredictable, on and off road. Get some wheeling experience first before you go to lockers. Buy a winch first. It's money better spent.

I totally agree with your disagreement. If you little offroading experience, lockers can get you in a lot of trouble fast. Get used to the vehicle first. I have seen the consequences of people with TOO much jeep.

Bnine · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:27:53 PM »

You are going to get varied opinons, so here is one more............

Minimum 4 inch lift is wrong. With a 2 inch body lift you can run those BFG's you want using bumpstops, budget boost spacers, or anything larger then that.

Rockcrawler lifts

Affordable, ultra strong, but not recommended for your jeep that is driven about 100k per day on the street. You will be forever greasing, tightening, and maintaining parts that are more geared to the offroader then they are to the street driver.

So, whats my suggestion?

Keep it simple, and reliable.

A 2.5 OME spring kit, with OME shocks, an adjustable front trackbar (full traction makes one with a TRE frame end for 2-4 inch lifts), and call it done.

OME parts have a great reputaional, and if you decide to resell and go bigger down the road, you will get most of what you spend back.

Vinman on this forum runs larger 35's then what you are looking at with these springs, a small spacer, and a smaller body lift then you.

If you are looking to spend big dollars, and want the best ride you can get, start looking at long arms.

Whatever you do, avoid the budget 4 inch lifts. They always come back to haunt people in the end.

HBZ · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2006, 09:44:41 AM »

Quote from: "bnine"

Rockcrawler lifts

Affordable, ultra strong, but not recommended for your jeep that is driven about 100k per day on the street. You will be forever greasing, tightening, and maintaining parts that are more geared to the offroader then they are to the street driver.

Competant upkeep is needed with whatever avenue you decide to go with. It is not so much the amount of miles on the street, but the abuse given out on the weekend that is going to dictate the amount of maintanence needed.
Go with what you can afford, and are comfortable servicing.
There are cheap kits and very expensive ones, but they all serve a
need.

I guess you add this to your collection of computer forum drivle.

:roll:

GiS · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2006, 10:51:39 AM »

You sir are NOT A VERY NICE PERSON, how dare you directly attack a valued member of CJA? This person alone has contributed so much to the forum, the club, and this is the thanks he gets for sharing his findings? As a member yourself I would not expect this from you.

See you on the trails errr, I guess you will be in the driveway greasing your RK kit?

Spinalguy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2006, 02:52:43 PM »

Quote from: "GiS"

You sir are NOT A VERY NICE PERSON, how dare you directly attack a valued member of CJA? This person alone has contributed so much to the forum, the club, and this is the thanks he gets for sharing his findings? As a member yourself I would not expect this from you.

See you on the trails errr, I guess you will be in the driveway greasing your RK kit?

Maybe your reading too much into it?
i think he was stating that its another web opinion, i don't think he was rolling eyes at Billy on a personal level.
Its almost Jesus Day, lets play nice

Rookie · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2006, 05:43:10 PM »

Ok here,s my 2 cents

I run BFG 35" tires , a 2" body lift and drive 160+ Kms daily on the highway I have a 4.5" rubicon express super flex kit with 3.5" springs

Rubicon express spring always give a little more lift than advertized

The 3.5" springs give about 4 to 4.5" of lift

The 4.5" springs give about 5 to 5.5" of lift

By getting the 4.5" superflex kit u get adjustable upper control arms for all 4 corners so getting the rear pinon angle and the front caster set is easy

The 4.5" springs in my opinon give to much lift for a short arm kit and make for a rough ride

So I would recomend the RE 4.5" SF with 3.5" springs

That being said a lifted jeep will ride rougher than a none lifted jeep because of the geometry of the control arms

Steve

edit

It sounds like ur building my jeep :lol:

Rookie · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2006, 05:55:55 PM »

Quote from: "HBZ"

Quote from: "bnine"

Rockcrawler lifts

Affordable, ultra strong, but not recommended for your jeep that is driven about 100k per day on the street. You will be forever greasing, tightening, and maintaining parts that are more geared to the offroader then they are to the street driver.

Competant upkeep is needed with whatever avenue you decide to go with. It is not so much the amount of miles on the street, but the abuse given out on the weekend that is going to dictate the amount of maintanence needed.
Go with what you can afford, and are comfortable servicing.
There are cheap kits and very expensive ones, but they all serve a
need.

I guess you add this to your collection of computer forum drivle.

:roll:

I have never met Rob (aka HBZ) but I do know Bill (aka Bnine) When Bill talks peaple listen because he knows what he is talking about He has worked on Jeeps with just about all the lift kits there are and has install alot of them too he has (had) a RK lift so he know the good and bad of them If you are looking for someone to install your lift when u figger out which one you want then Bill would be an excellent choice

Steve

HBZ · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2006, 09:08:04 PM »

Quote from: "Spinalguy"

Maybe your reading too much into it?
i think he was stating that its another web opinion, i don't think he was rolling eyes at Billy on a personal level.
Its almost Jesus Day, lets play nice

ditto.

cheers.

Author Topic: Lift Kit Help...... (Read 2720 times)

sloria

HBZ

HBZ