Basics to a Lift

[Wiggy44k]

1076465

Ok, I am looking into getting a TJ Wrangler, and I am curious about lifts. I was thinking of getting a Skyjacker 4" suspension lift with a 2" body lift, and having 35x15.5 Super Swamper tires. The priority for the Jeep is a daily driver that looks really tough and yet has some off roading capability. It won't be taken to trails or over rocks or anything so I don't need a really expensive suspension. What are your thoughts on this, would it work for what I am looking for? Thanks![addsig]

 

[LGR]

1076467

if yer not gettin really into wheelin i say stay a little lower to the ground its kinda of a waste. put like a 2 1/2 inch on with 31s. but ya might do it a bunch and get into it and thanked yourself ya put in 6 inches. I'm runnin a skyjacker double flex 4" right now. i just got it all in and gave her the first spin today..so far is pretty nice. but haven't givin it the ultimate test yet[addsig]

 

[Wiggy44k]

1076469

Well I like the look of this Jeep, and I hope to make mine look the same way, so I was wondering if this setup I listed would be possible.

He has listed a 2 inch suspension lift with 3 inch body lift, so I am assuming a 6" lift (4" susp, 2" bod) will work with those tires. Thanks![addsig]

 

[LGR]

you plan on doing the install? or a place? i say just go 6 inches on the suspension if you want to go that high..i try and stay away from body lifts. my old jeep had a body lift and it sagged faster then i thought it would. runnin 35's you'd have to install more then just the lift..SYE, new driveshaft, and it would be a good idea to change yer gearing. whats the jeep you plan on getting? 4 or a 6? 5 speed?[addsig]

 

[Snitty]

1076478

if you are going 35's... you'll need new gearing.... and possibly a new axle... AND.. if you are not hitting trails, what is the purpose? yeah it looks bad a$$... but it would be too much money going into something for nothing... I can't say don't do it... but it certianly would be misunderstood[addsig]

 

[flyboy]

1076486

hey wiggy, the jeep you say you like the look of... i don't think that jeep has that high of a lift by the look i'd say it's about 2.5 in lift with max 33" tires. If you're not going to offroad with it or use it as a show jeep i'd tame it down a bit. just my 2cents worth[addsig]

 

[Wiggy44k]

1076503

I would most likely have a place install them. What is a SYE, and I would have to get a new driveshaft? If this is the case I guess I'll forget that path

If I went with just a 4" suspension lift could I run 33x15.5 Super Swampers? A lot of Jeeps I have seen have a 4" lift with 33" tires, so I would assume this would be fine.

Also, I want it mainly half and half, mainly to look cool and a little bit of off roading. I realize this is probably a bad thing to say on a primarily off-roading site, but I figured I could get some help from you all. Also, having good traction in the snow would be a plus. Thanks for the helpful responses![addsig]

 

[Snitty]

1076523

well... if it will be used offroad at some points... then i'll let you off the hook :-D ... but i will tell you that wide mud tires are TERRIBLE in the winter... better off with a skinnier all terrain tire[addsig]

 

[Wiggy44k]

1076530

Would I be able to run 35s since my suspension won't be flexing much and hitting the fender flares?

What is a good width tire for the winter? 12.5? Thanks![addsig]

 

[PASmokeater]

1076545

Before you go that wide...check the laws (if any) that apply to you for tires sticking out of the flares...if your like we are in PA, you'll have to nuy new fender flares as well.









Rob [addsig]

 

[Wiggy44k]

1076561

I think here in Ohio it might be that the tires can be out 3" from the body/flares. If I were to get pulled over, what type of ticket would that be? Would it be a moving violation?[addsig]

 

[Utah_jeepster]

1076565

Even going with a nice 4" inch lift your going to have to face the drive shaft part again.
You can get exstended flairs for a 35x12.5 tire, that will pass state inspection. Here in Utah we also have mud flaps that cover at least half the rear tire. With a 4" inch lift the factory "Jeep" mud flaps work great with 12.5 wide tires.[addsig]

 

[Snitty]

1076573

you'll have to dump a lot of money into it to get 35's on there safe... lift, pitman, maybe sye, shocks, gears, tires.... that's a lot of money to make it look good... but if that is what you want, then i guess all i can do is give advice.... my friend has a set of 33x12.5... he slides ALL OVER in the winter... i had a friend with 32x11.5... he slid ALL OVER in the winter... I have 31x10.5... I am JUST making it in the winter, especially with a vehicle so light[addsig]

 

[Wiggy44k]

1076575

What is a pitman and SYE? Also, why would new gears be needed? Let's say the Jeep was going to stay on the road the entire time would I still need this?[addsig]

 

[phiambo01tj]

1076576

SYE: Slip yoke eliminator, i believe its for the driveshaft link to the transfer case? correct me if i'm wrong, which most likely i am, and the pitman arm is for the steering, if you lift you need a dropped pitman arm. I dont know much about gearing, the lower the more torque.[addsig]

 

[Snitty]

1076579

you will NEED gearing if you expect to drive in 5th gear with 35 inch tires, you will lose much torque if you upsize that much.. and if you don't regear... you'll be buying clutches every week

the sye, like phiambo siad, is something used to convert your slip style yoke for your rear driveshaft to a fixed style yoke, and usually a cv style shaft... this is needed if you lift enough for 35's...

also, if lifting that much... you'll need to drop your drag link, which is the bar that connects your steering box to the tie rod to steer the jeep... if you lift too far, you will be faced with bump steer, your draglink will no longer be horizontal, it will be diaginal, and when you hit a bump, it can push you off course... a dropped pitman arm will allow the draglink to be lowered closer to original specs... you can get a draglink from a ZJ or anything with a stock dropped pitman...


edited by: Snitty, Jul 16, 2003 - 03:36 PM[addsig]

 

[Wiggy44k]

1076604

About how much do you think it would cost to professionally install this plus the parts to run 35" tires? What is the list of parts needed? Thanks everyone for the help.[addsig]

 

[far_right]

1076607

around 800-1000 for gears and installation[addsig]

 

[Snitty]

1076619

gears will be about $200 per set, you will need 2 sets, unless you NEVER intend on running in 4wd (Lord have mercy if you don't run in 4wd)... there's $400... labor should be about 2 hours each end, that would be 4 hours at $35-$50/hour, about another $150-$200... so for gears, you are looking at about $600 .


SYE is about $250, the install should be about 2 or 3 hours, about $100.. there's another $350


Driveshaft, they are overpriced. I wont even begin to say their retail prices.... You can get a CV style shaft from a scrap yard for about $10-$50, depending on what it's from, and how honest the guys there are... You can get it cut down and balanced for about $50... there's another $60-$100, installation should be included with the SYE installation


Pitman arm... they can be up to $100 new... but a junk yard should have a pitman from a ZJ for a lot cheaper... maybe $20 or so... Labor on that can be tough... getting a pitman arm off is HELL if its frozen on there good... I'll say $50 for labor on that... so i'll say another $70

In total... i'm just guessing there to be about $1,100 involved parts and labor, and that's conservative, which does not include the lift or tires...

To support that size tire, you will need AT LEAST a 4" lift plus some body lift... I could suggest the king of lifts, the Spring-Over lift, which will give you about 5.5 inches, but it is really hard to find a shop that will perform that lift... When you buy a lift, you will need shocks with it, which some include. And some come with the pitman arm. A steering stabilizer would not be a bad idea at such a height with such big tires, but many go without and never complain.


with the lift that big... you should have extended brake lines, but MIGHT be able to get away with reloacation... extended lines are about $50-$100 depending on quality

I wish you the best there, and hope to see that monster if it ever goes up like its planned


edited by: Snitty, Jul 17, 2003 - 05:51 AM[addsig]

 

[Wiggy44k]

1076621

Thank you Snitty! That was an EXTREMELY helpful post and I really appreciate it. Thank you![addsig]