Topic: Econo-Lift Enlightenment

[chrisfranklin]

Was wondering if some of the wisemen, Jeffy, SMC, Mozman68 can clarify a couple of things for me about suspension lifts on YJs.

I was under the impression that your budget 1-2" lift to accomodate 31s would basically consist of the installation of longer shackles and 1 inch urethane body mount bushings.  In this case, would it be necessary to install new leafs, shocks, add-a-leafs?   Could you accomplish the same type of 1-2" lift just with new, more-bowed leaf springs all around + the poly body spacers and simply skip the installation of the longer shackles?  

Also, if you go with a high quality 4 inch suspension lift (and skip the body lift/shackle route), what are the total costs going to be when all is said and done?  Good kits like the Rubicon run close to $1000; you can probably get some friends together, watch some early-season NFL games and do the install over the weekend and make an event out of it   But, what other costs are involved -- like, drive shaft changes, things that tend to break, brake changes, tires/wheels, bushings, u-joint problems, regearing?  Personally, what scares me off with a 4 inch, YJ suspension lift (rather than going with budget 1-2 inch lift) is that there could be about $3000-4000 in hidden costs that I can't afford.

Then, like with a recent Jp Magazine TJ Unlimited Buildup, you get the 4" height on your 4 cylinder (yeah, especially 4 cylinder) or 6 cylinder and then you start contemplating the SBC swap installed for $8,000 or the Hemi swap for $15,000  

[SMC4WD]

Chris...  This is a tough one

A 1-2 inch lift still, might require longer shocks, but may not (depending on the articulation you'll be putting it thru).  Steering arm won't need to be addressed nor would a T/C drop.  But what's this achieve?  I tire size greater?  Many a rig made it through Rubicon on 31"s...  

The next level can be done cheaply and take baby steps towards your final goal...  Steering arm, tho a necessity, it isn't that much money.  Drop down spacers for the T/C can probably be picked up used from your good buddies at 4X Doc.  It's only spacers and bolts...

At first I took the factory mount for the brakelines and welded them from the top of the frame rail to the sides of it.  Eventually look into longer brake lines, but that's the 'baby steps' thing.

So I'm thinking, it doesn't have to be 'all or nothing'.  

Shocks and springs are about the start of it...  Please stay away from lifted shackles whatever you do.

[chrisfranklin]

SMC,  I was looking at these budget lifts, 1-2 inches, to make it over 31s.  These involve new bushings and shackles.  Now, I was reading that you could just go ahead an keep your "no-lift" shocks (probably staying w/ Bilsteins all around for me) with this set up; no need for longer shocks  

But, do you think I could just do some OME leaf springs designed for a 2 inch lift and maybe 1 inch poly spacers all around and stock shackles and get a 1-2 inch lift out of that -- enough to cover 31s?  So, I don't have to mess with longer shackles?

[SMC4WD]

Here at work there's a guy with a dreaded 4.0L running the OME + 1" spacer kit.  He's running 33"s...  He's running rear's on all 4 corners and it fits really, really well.   OME is not cheap, but will blow away the other guys for ride and articulation...   OME also offers the greasable shackles, but that's something that could wait, because they are also very expensive.   They aren't lift shackles...  just greasable with anti-inversions built into them.

The good thing about OME is that you don't need steering, brakes or anything else...  the bad news is cost...  

The OME suspension could easily be the last suspension you'll ever own...  and the height isn't so bad...   Are you looking to ever go to 35's??

[Jeffy]

Are you looking to ever go to 35's??

Hahah, this is Chris!  He hasn't even gone past 30".  

OME's 2.5" is a bit taller then 2.5".  You'll get more like 3" out of it for sure.  Since it flexes so well, you'll want longer shocks and extended brakelines for sure.  They ahve a few different spring packs now for those who need more load capacity though.  The Rubicon Express Extreme Duty 2.5" is supposed to be comparable.

Honestly you can clear 31's stock with a bit of rubbing on stock wheels.  If I was going cheap but reliable, I'd consider a 3/8" shackles and a 1-1.25" body lift.

The other option is to get some long AAL's.  They will need to be full length so they won't increase the spring rate too much.  You can buy these from some places or else have someone make them for you from stock YJ leafs.

The last thing I can think of is to replace your tired old leafs with some JCW or other leafs.  YJ's came with several different leak packs stock depending on the configurations and if it had a hardtop or not.  There are 4 packs , 5 packs and 6 packs.  5 and 6 packs would get you back to stock height with some load capacity for more stuff.  Then sell off your stock leafs to someone who wants to go SOA for $150-200.

[chrisfranklin]

When the aftermarket Jeep retailers get a "bead" on a you, it can run up a big tab...that's me, above, looking to keep my extremities attached when faced with the QTec catalogue    Thanks for the pointers on the low-budge lifts though, Jeffy, SMC.

[chrisfranklin]

Are you looking to ever go to 35's??

Nah, I'm probably in a "if-broken-then-upgrade" progression that will continue to stretch over many years with this YJ.   At that rate, I'll probably go to 31s or 33s as tires wear out & leaf springs need replacement over the next couple of years.

[Guardian7]

Chris, take it from someone who has done the add-a-leafs on more than one 4X4 and I will not do them anymore because the ride gets horribly stiff! If your done havin kids and dont mind your butt puckered up I guess your okay. You get what you pay for and they can be had for $50 a pair. I would rather scroung junk yards for leaf packs or do an SOA with the stock leafs. A friend of mine runs 35's on a YJ with just a 2" or 3" body lift and it does great!

[Jeffy]

Chris, take it from someone who has done the add-a-leafs on more than one 4X4 and I will not do them anymore because the ride gets horribly stiff! If your done havin kids and dont mind your butt puckered up I guess your okay. You get what you pay for and they can be had for $50 a pair. I would rather scroung junk yards for leaf packs or do an SOA with the stock leafs. A friend of mine runs 35's on a YJ with just a 2" or 3" body lift and it does great!

Full length AAL's will typically run considerably smoother then those half leafs most kits offer.  That's because you slip the full lengths in deeper into the spring pack.  The short leafs are more like the smaller load leafs.

[j-freak153]

do it right and get the 4" lift and 33s the first time around...youll be kicking yourself later if you dont...and even so...the only real way to justify a 2" lift on a yj is if you're gonna do a SOA conversion in the future....just my thoughts...

[Guardian7]

Full length would be better if you find some but most shops carry the short Rancho Add-a-leaf kits which are the type I have installed. These are the type to avoid!

[Mozman68]

Notice how I'm staying out of this conversation....happy to have springs!!  No bolts to undo

[SMC4WD]

Notice how I'm staying out of this conversation....happy to have springs!!  No bolts to undo

All of us have springs....   You mean coil springs, right??  

Leave springs, coil springs and torsion bars all provide 'boing'.

[Mozman68]

Notice how I'm staying out of this conversation....happy to have springs!!  No bolts to undo

All of us have springs....   You mean coil springs, right??  

Leave springs, coil springs and torsion bars all provide 'boing'.

yes smart ass....coil springs (I just say leafs or springs...it's a MI thing....)

still....easy swap for coils....