Topic: YJ lift for 32 inch tires

[jagular7]

I'd like to avoid longer shackles and body lifts but what you say is encouraging because it seems it won't take all that much lift to fit the 32s.  Thanks

The approach angle of a YJ is basically too low. Adding longer shackles won't help, but getting larger tires on will. Its a give/take option you have to look at. Same with body lifts, like you stated. You don't have to get a tall spacer lift, but could look at replacing the old rubber bushings with new poly bushings that are actually 1+" taller than stock height. Its not significant and some don't really notice at all (minimize body to frame gap). If you can get some lift springs cheap or used, you could keep your stock shackles. I suggested shocks for better performance and with sway bar disconnected, you can get more droop out of the springs. You'll have to bend up the spring clamps to get them to stretch more. If you keep the clamps up, you keep the springs in alignment. I also stated to check the conditions of the joints in the driveline. Most don't perform maintenance on the joints and with no grease, the bearing dry out.

When I got my TJ with 112k miles, the joints looked ok, no jiggle or pop with a screwdriver. However, when I rebuilt the front axle in less than the year, the ball joints were dry and the u-joints popped in my hands. I couldn't even rotate one shaft with ease. I've now got 118k miles in 4 years. 

[Jesse-James]

Yeah, they didn't get any good pictures of the work that was done.

They never do.....

These are the same people that published an article claiming the 8.8 wasn't much better than the Turdy5.

[neale_rs]

I'd like to avoid longer shackles and body lifts but what you say is encouraging because it seems it won't take all that much lift to fit the 32s.  Thanks

The approach angle of a YJ is basically too low. Adding longer shackles won't help, but getting larger tires on will. Its a give/take option you have to look at. Same with body lifts, like you stated. You don't have to get a tall spacer lift, but could look at replacing the old rubber bushings with new poly bushings that are actually 1+" taller than stock height. Its not significant and some don't really notice at all (minimize body to frame gap). If you can get some lift springs cheap or used, you could keep your stock shackles. I suggested shocks for better performance and with sway bar disconnected, you can get more droop out of the springs. You'll have to bend up the spring clamps to get them to stretch more. If you keep the clamps up, you keep the springs in alignment. I also stated to check the conditions of the joints in the driveline. Most don't perform maintenance on the joints and with no grease, the bearing dry out.

When I got my TJ with 112k miles, the joints looked ok, no jiggle or pop with a screwdriver. However, when I rebuilt the front axle in less than the year, the ball joints were dry and the u-joints popped in my hands. I couldn't even rotate one shaft with ease. I've now got 118k miles in 4 years. 

I'm pretty good about  maintenance but yeah some of the DS u-joints (2 of the 4) are the original (non-greasable) ones. The axle u-joints have been replaced.  I've also replaced 2 of 4 tie rod/drag link ends and in general have spent the last 1+ years getting it into top condition before lifting it, plus swapped in a rear D44.

So would you say a 2.5 lift with the new poly spacers would be enough for 32s?  With that and TJ flares I would think it should be enough but haven't actually seen the combo.

Thanks

[jfrabat]

So would you say a 2.5 lift with the new poly spacers would be enough for 32s?  With that and TJ flares I would think it should be enough but haven't actually seen the combo.

I used to run my 31's on no lift.  Granted you, they rubbed the flares when I hit a bump, but my suspension was also 14 years old!  So I see no reason why you cannot run 32's on 2.5" of lift.  And if you do need a little more clearance, a 1" body lift should be more than enough (but considering you can fit 33's with 4" of lift, I am not so sure you will need it; maybe just new spacers are enough).

Felipe