Topic: Trail Master 3" lift

[neale_rs]

Is the Trail Master 3" lift for the YJ a good lift?    I think at least Jeffy has some experience with this brand.  Thanks

[Jeffy]

I'd say it's OK but there are better kits out there.  I've been running Trail Master leafs since '93 and they have softened up a but but haven't sagged.  They ride fairly stiff unless you do stuff like remove the track bars and loosen up the shackles.  They actually rode better with the 1.25" shackles I had before.  I think it's probably because of the length of the leafs. They're longer then stock and put the shackle kind of far out there, so the ride suffered.

If I was going to go with a lift, today I would spend the bucks for a Rubicon Express Extreme Duty 4.5" lift.  It costs more but then you get more too.  A lot of stuff that you would probably get anyway.  Otherwise, you could piece together your own custom suspension with some nice Alcan Springs leafs.  Last time I talked to them, the leafs were $150 each.  No other hardware.  So you'd need to buy everything separately.

After changing my suspension around and watching my friends do it, I highly suggest you do it right the first time or else it will get expensive.  If you've considering 33's you might want to think about going SOA or even SOA/SUA like I'm running.  Both of these will require a lot more research and someone who can weld.

[neale_rs]

Decisions, decisions.  I keep going back and forth between the 4" and 4.5" RE lifts and smaller lifts like the OME 2.5", RE 2.5"s, and the Trail Master 3".  Thanks for the advice.  I may end up flipping a coin!

[Jeffy]

Decisions, decisions.  I keep going back and forth between the 4" and 4.5" RE lifts and smaller lifts like the OME 2.5", RE 2.5"s, and the Trail Master 3".  Thanks for the advice.  I may end up flipping a coin!

For off the shelf lifts, if you want to stay under 33's then go with the 2.5 OME and get the 4.0L leafs so they aren't too soft.  OME is one of the only companies that makes leafs that are different for the 2.5L and the 4.0L.  I'd go with the heavier leafs if you plan on winches, bumpers and what not.

If you want to go with 33's to 37's then the RE 4.5" Extreme Duty kit is hard to beat.

If you have money burning a hole in your pocket then you could go with the Fabtech Coil-over conversion. 

[neale_rs]

Thanks for the straighforward advice.  I'll first decide on the tire size and then go with one or the other.  The coil-over would be a bit much for me, I only do one (big) mod per year to allow saving up!

[Shawn_c]

The rule of thumb I have always heard when your using lift leaf springs is to go at leats 1" longer on the shackle.  Helps with the ride.  But quality shocks will also help, and many times the base shocks they include in a lift are really stiff. I had the trail master 3" lift with some 1" lift shackles on my 1993 YJ.  It rode pretty well with some of the upgraded shocks.  It has been so long now, I don't remember what they were called, but I had to pay another hundred or so more then what it cost for the cheaper ones.

[neale_rs]

Thanks.  Sounds like a good option.

[oldjeep]

Another good one to consider is BDS.  Almost every YJ in my club runs their springs.

[Shawn_c]

Yes BDS is good stuff, they have an unbeatable warranty as well.

[Colin]

Yeah, I've heard a ton of good things about BDS as well. It's the route I'm planning on going, since all i can do is research until my funds grow a bit more for a lift. (Trying to keep myself busy with other small projects on the Jeep while the bigger stuff waits). Also, the local 4x4 shop really suggests them, and you cannot beat their guarantee.

I'm going to go with the BDS 3.5" lift I'm pretty sure. It's the largest lift you can get and not do a SYE kit at the same time (though that's down the road when my Jeep is not my DD and I can have it out of commission for a bit). I'm planning on running 33's for this stage (until I can afford another vehicle for my DD.)

OME also has great reviews, but it's $$ and I can't see any reason myself /not/ to go BDS.

[neale_rs]

Where is a good place to get BDS?  I looked on their web page and they seem to be even more expensive than OME  .

[oldjeep]

I don't know anyone who has bought the "kit"  We buy the springs at a local 4x4 shop - mine I actually got slightly used.

Springs, bushings, u-bolts, shocks, a set of boomerang type shackles and an SYE are the standard set of parts.

BDS springs are more expensive, but they don't break down and wear out.

[oldjeep]

Yeah, I've heard a ton of good things about BDS as well. It's the route I'm planning on going, since all i can do is research until my funds grow a bit more for a lift. (Trying to keep myself busy with other small projects on the Jeep while the bigger stuff waits). Also, the local 4x4 shop really suggests them, and you cannot beat their guarantee.

I'm going to go with the BDS 3.5" lift I'm pretty sure. It's the largest lift you can get and not do a SYE kit at the same time (though that's down the road when my Jeep is not my DD and I can have it out of commission for a bit). I'm planning on running 33's for this stage (until I can afford another vehicle for my DD.)

OME also has great reviews, but it's $$ and I can't see any reason myself /not/ to go BDS.

An SYE really is needed with a 3.5" lift regardless of what someones advertising might say.  Installing an SYE is pretty quick and easy.

[neale_rs]

I don't know anyone who has bought the "kit"  We buy the springs at a local 4x4 shop - mine I actually got slightly used.

Springs, bushings, u-bolts, shocks, a set of boomerang type shackles and an SYE are the standard set of parts.

BDS springs are more expensive, but they don't break down and wear out.

What boomerang shackeles do you use, regular lenght or 1 inch longer than stock?

[oldjeep]

They are 1 1/4" longer than stock.  Local guy cut them, so they only cost $40 for a set of 4 full shackles