TJ LIFT KIT -- HELP PLEASE

Hello all. I know you've probably heard this question a million times, but here goes. I have a 2006 Wrangler X with the 6 speed manual tranny and A/C. I want to lift my jeep, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on replacing the CV driveshaft and SYE kit. My goal is to fit 33 X 10.5 or 33 X 11.5 tires on my jeep. Here are the two options I am considering:

1. If I get a 2 inch suspension lift and 1 inch body lift, would I need to replace the driveshaft and SYE? Can I fit the above mentioned tires with that setup?

1. I am also considering a 3 inch suspension lift and 1 inch body lift. Would I need to replace the driveshaft or SYE if I go this route? Can I still fit the above mentioned tires?

What parts do I absolutely need to have in the lift kits to prevent future problems with either lift? I do NOT plan on doing extreme wheeling -- just a splash in the mud and some occasional trails. This is my daily driver, and I do a lot of highway driving. Can someone recommend a good reliable lift kit that includes both the suspension lift and the body lift?

THANKS

Sorry, but I forgot to ask....if I go with either lift, can I use the coil spring spacers or is replacing the springs better? Do I need to replace my shocks, or can I get the 'shock extenders'?

Why do you want a body lift?

Most of the complete kits include a transfer case drop down kit that will help with vibes avoiding the expense of the SYE/CV kits. The downside is that you will lose 1" clearance under your transfer case. The drop kit and having adjustable rear control arms help to 'dial in' the pinion angle to quell driveline vibes.

The downside to the spacer lift is that you will not gain any articulation that you would gain from replacing your springs with longer ones. Same goes for the shock vs bracket question.

Some Jeeps experience driveline vibes with less lift than others, no explanation for this. Harmonics, maybe. There are no guarantees. Go with the tallest lift you think you will want, so you only do it once. For

33s, I like the 4.5" suspension lift, no spacers, no body lift.

tw

How is the quality of Rough Country 4" suspension lifts?

Sorry for so many questions about these lifts, but I am really clueless. I know how much lift I want and what size tires I want, I am just not sure how to go about getting the results I want. There are so many options out there, and I just want to choose the best one for me. Anyone know anything about the 3 inch Pro Comp lift kits that have the four 2 inch spacers and four 1 inch spacers with the longer shocks? The 1 inch spacers supposedly stack on top of the 2 inch spacers for a total of 3 inches of suspension lift. How is the ride quality of these kits vs. the kits that have the longer shocks AND the longer springs (instead of spacers)? TW mentioned the articulation aspect....just wondering about ride quality too.

Tracie,

I think you'd be better served if you can talk about the anticipated budget (not including tires & wheels) for this stage of modifications, as well as your off road intentions....i.e. 90% street/10% off road, "hardcore" trails vs. fire roads, speed factor (desert use versus crawling).....etc. etc.

Jon

Er, never mind the "duty" rating half of my post -- I somehow missed the "splash in the mud" statement...

....but the cost question still applies.

I think the 2" coils spacers are OK, but I would NOT stack spacers in any form. The ride with the 2" spacers will be the same as stock, depending on which shocks you use. Shocks can have a major impact on ride quality, just as springs can. I'm not a fan of body lifts, so unless there is a reason to do one, I'd take that right out of the equation.

I have the Rubicon Express susp. lift and am very happy with it. Prior to that, I had a 4" Teraflex lift. Both rode and performed well. Personally, I would save my pennies and get a suspension lift for anything over 2". I think 33s with the 2" lift would be too tight even for moderate offroading.

tw

I only ask because for any given dollar range, there's a best and worst case scenario, but comparing outside that range is all about apples and oranges....and already a few have popped up.

You should call up a few distributors and see where they steer you -- each company specifies spring length and rates (firmness) based upon how much cargo/add-ons they anticipate and how that all plays into ride quality. Hardtops, racks, winches, bumpers, etc. etc. .... end up making a big difference. Here's a couple of threads I marked to show the difference between mfrs ...

For a Wrangler that will be 95% street, 5% offroad, I'd be hard pressed to go beyond a spacer/body lift.

Not necessarily. There are many Jeeps lifted 4" or more that never see dirt. That is just way too high for spacers. You have to decide the height increase desired first, then the type of lift.

tw

Agreed. "Value Engineering" has its limitations.

Jon

Yep, always a trade off. So, Tracie...decide how you want your Jeep to look (you've told us the intended use) and maybe we can help you get there. Who is going to put the lift on?

tw

Go with what TWaldron is stating. I have the Rubicon Express 4.5" short arm with OME nitro chargers, 33x12.5 (3.75" back space). Loving it. Of course I do have the double cardan shaft. Its only a few hundred more, worth the money IMHO. Drop in the bucket when looking at wheels and rims. :)

don't go with body lift.

No worries on the ride quality, mine is way better than stock other than cornering. I currently have 4.11 gearing. No idea what you have but keep that in mind. You don't want a dog on the road. Anyway, take care,

Old Crow "Yol Bolsun!" '82 FLTC-P "Miss Pearl" '95 YJ Rio Grande BS#133, SENS, TOMKAT, MAMBM

OK. I have decided to go with a 4 inch suspension lift with springs not spacers. The only reason I would like to add a 1 inch body lift on top of the 4 inch suspension lift is to be able to clear 33 X 11.5 X 15 tires. Will I be able to do this with just the 4 inch suspension lift without the 1 inch body lift and not have to worry about rubbing? My only concern is when I go with the 4 inch suspension lift, do I also need to replace the CV driveshaft and the SYE? I am only willing to spend about 500-600 dollars on a lift kit (prior to labor expense), and I have a wonderful knowlegeable mechanic that is very inexpensive who will put the lift on for me ($45/hr). The reason I want the lift is mainly for looks. Stock look is just not doing it for me. I like the "beefy" stance, hence the lift and bigger tires. As for spring rate, I am not going to load down my jeep, and I do not have a hardtop. I have the soft top.

Now....the question I have is this: Will a 4 inch suspension lift and

33 X 11.5 X 15(or even 10.5) tires make a big difference in the overall look of the jeep? The tires I want are the BF Goodrich All Terrain Mud Tires. According to some info I found on the internet, I shouldn't have to buy new wheels as my stock are 15 X 8, and the 33 X 10.5 X 15 will fit anything from a 15 X 7 to a 15 X 9 rim. Can someone tell me what brands of lift to stay away from?

OK....well as far as budget goes, I am able to spend more than I originally thought. I can go as high as $700.

Yes, a 4" lift is perfect for 33s. Now, you also have to take wheel BACKSPACING into consideration when mounting larger tires. A good backspacing for 33x12.50s is about 4", give or take a quarter inch. Most of the Jeep factory wheels have about 5-5.25" which is too much for the

12.50s. 10.50s will buy you an inch, but the skinny look is not appealing to me. Lifting is never a cheap endeavor, it's a can of worms. :)

tw

Skinny look is not appealing to me either. Now how about the CV driveshaft and the SYE....will they need to be replaced with the 4 inch suspension lift? As previously mentioned, 95% of my driving will be highway. I have been told that I will NOT need to replace them if I am NOT doing any extreme off-roading. Then, others that I have talked to have told me I will need to have them replaced. Any light on this topic?

Offroading has _NO_ affect on whether or not you need a CV driveshaft or not. What happens when you lift the Jeep up is that it pulls the body, motor, transfer case, etc. away from your axles and increases the angle of the driveshaft which creates vibrations when it rotates (driving). CV shaft are specifically designed for this acute angling and are the best method of eliminating this issue. Whether or not you will need one will depend on your specific Jeep. Odds are you will need one above 2". Now, some people get away with lowering the transfer case to lessen this angle, and you can try this first, but do not drive with these vibes as your driveshaft will decide on it's own when it will let go from your Jeep. Plan on the expense.

I think your choice in the 4" lift & 33s is a good one. I think it is a very nice look for the TJ. Cutting corners may cause you problems down the road, but some Jeepers get lucky. Expect vibes on any lift over 2" and don't be surprised if they rear their ugliness at 2" as well.

Again, my advice is to save your pennies and don't get into a rush to lift. Do it right, do it once.

tw