Topic: lift kit question/advice/opinions please

[stan98tj]

now i know i got other things to worry about before i go putting in a lift kit (replacing my blown engine) :) but putting in a lift kit was something i had been wanting to do before i had my engine problems. now that the new 4cyl is on its way i figure ill ask a few questions to get some info on a good kit.

1. the guy i purchased my TJ from put on 31in dakota MTs with a decent looking rim that ive grown fond of, but it seems that the rim size is off because my tires catch the frame when i turn all the way over. I thought maybe jacking up would clear but it wont, so i need to get spacers or replace the rims. would spacers affect my turning radius??

2. ive grown to like the 31s so i would like to get a lift that would go with this particular size tire. Basically im not lookin to put in a 6 inch.  Im a bit stuck between a body lift and suspension lift.  Body lifts are cheaper but im not sure i see the full point of it.  Id like to jack the TJ up a bit but im not sure which way to go. either with a 2.5in body lift or 2-3 inch suspension lift. Id like for it not to be so jacked up that the 31s end up lookin like skateboard wheels either.  Price of course is a concern...any advice for a cheap but decent suspension lift or body lift....and which should i go with.

Also, ive seen a blackdiamond 3 inch lift for a decent price, but doesnt mention shocks, im wondering if i would need to pick up shocks as well
sorry for all the noob questions.

[Mozman68]

I put a 3" 4WD lift on my rig almost 2 years ago and I've always felt my Jeep looked like it is on roller skates.

If you want to keep the 31's and are looking to save money, why not just do a 2" budget boost (spacers over the coils)?  I would stay away from a body lift if you really don't need it...and I would avoid wheel spacers as well...just stop the wheels from turning that far by adding washers (somebody else on here can probably better explain what to do as I have never had this issue).

Here are pics of mine on 31's before (stock) and after (3" lift..more like 3 3/8" at the time).





I guess it's not that bad....but I like the way the wheel wells looked with the 31's before I lifted it.

[jfrabat]

Similar to Moz, I also put a 4" lift on mine, and it's a bit much for 31" tires.  I put mine on with the knowledge that I would go to 33" tires, so I dont mind, but it also looks tall.





As for the BL, like Moz said, I would stay away from it unless necessary, and even in the case you feel it was necessary, I would not recommend more than 1".  If I were you, I would probably go with the budget boost; you will keep all you stock ride characteristics, and still have plenty of space to clear the 31"

Felipe

[neale_rs]

Sounds like a 2 inch budget boost would be a good choice.  Not too expensive, improves off road capability without messing up the on road ride.

[Mozman68]

This is pretty cool....it's faking it, but at least gives some idea.

http://ptheune.net/~pir/photos/Jeeps/Tires/Selector/index.htm

[jfrabat]

This is pretty cool....it's faking it, but at least gives some idea.

http://ptheune.net/~pir/photos/Jeeps/Tires/Selector/index.htm

Is it me, or does the tire size looks smallish?  Maybe it's because of the thread of the tires, I dont know...

[neale_rs]

This is pretty cool....it's faking it, but at least gives some idea.

http://ptheune.net/~pir/photos/Jeeps/Tires/Selector/index.htm

Great page!

[Mozman68]

Is it me, or does the tire size looks smallish?  Maybe it's because of the thread of the tires, I dont know...

The page just expands the tire (not the wheel) and just lifts the body (blacks out the rest)....again...fakes it, but is better than nothing.

I just cannot believe there isn't an actual site with pictures of the same Jeep with a variety of lifts and tire sizes on it....taken from the same angles.

One would think this would be a great project for Quadratech or 4WD to do on their websites to help out buyers.  I wouldn't even care if it was just a very accurate rendering.  Like what TireRack does with their site.

[Jeffy]

This is pretty cool....it's faking it, but at least gives some idea.

http://ptheune.net/~pir/photos/Jeeps/Tires/Selector/index.htm

Wow, that's an old one.  I remember when it first went up.  ...back when 35's were big.   

[stan98tj]

from this page, 3inch with 31s doesnt look too bad. Mozman68 i can see what you mean about the 31s being a bit small for the 3inch lift. A few hairs lower and it would have been just fine. where did the 3/8inch come from? lack of doors? Top off? Body lift?  I was thinkin why not 2.5inch suspension lift but i found 3inch blackdiamond with shocks included for a 100 cheaper. 

[Mozman68]

I would say, go with the 3" lift...especially if has a great price!!  You never know, maybe you'll move up to 33's sooner than you think.

When comparing the prices though, make sure they both have the same components...some lifts leave out shocks.  My 3" 4WD lift included everything needed for less than $500.

It will be for sale for much less than that in another 6 weeks.....

[Elyod]

I agree, don't do a body lift, I just put on a cheap 100 dollar 2 1/2 inch spacer lift and it cleared 265/75/16 (around 32") tires easily.  I still hae the stock shocks so the axles only flex well upward, they only drop a few inches downward.  I have found though that the shocks are protecting my stock brake lines, so until i can afford a real lift with all the necessary parts, this will do fine.

Here is how it sits:

[Elyod]

Another try at the pics...

[stan98tj]

not bad at all...looks pretty good. and mine are just 31s so they should sit nicely with that much lift. again, ill have to just take both lifts (though now body lift is out) and consider them thoroughly

[tommy_chunk]

My Jeep has the 3 in BDS lift and I have 31s. I will go to 33s when I wear out these tires, but I don't think it looks too bad.