Lift question

[Laph]

Well looks like i'm going to be picking up some 31's this weekend for my Grand Cherokee '99. wasnt planing on doing tires this quick but 4 tires and rims for 150 bucks is hard to pass up. my question is what is a good lift so i will be able to put them on without spending alot of money? I'm a returning college student so i have little money these days. esp since I lost my job. All replies welcomed, i'm pretty new to the lift stuff, figured you guys were the best to learn from.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Check out www.rubiconexpress.com and others for a budget boost, it'll be 4 coil spacers and 4 shocks. Then get a good alignment and you'll be set with a nice lookin WJ.

 

[Joopin]

My bro just got a 3" lift from pro comp, it's an AAL in the rear and coil spacers up front.

 

[dingus]

My bro just got a 3" lift from pro comp, it's an AAL in the rear and coil spacers up front.

i've heard that the springs that Pro Comp uses in their kits are extremely STIFF... just for the record

 

[dropseys]

Have you looked at Rustys Offroad? They are very reasonable and have a good rep. I'm still looking because due to my inuries from work i can't do jack. Lots and lots of time for research.

 

[Laph]

i was thinking about the 2.5 on rusty's page, is it still a pretty smoth ride or is it going to handel like our ambulance (can fell every crack, bump, and dimple in the road)? anyone know? and what does it take to do the install, never messed with suspention besides swapping a tie rod and what not.

 

[Laph]

also after lift and go to 31" tires what is needed to make the speed show correctly?

 

[dingus]

also after lift and go to 31" tires what is needed to make the speed show correctly?

technically, you'll need a new speedo gear which is located in the transfer case. your speed won't be off by much, however, and often times people going to 31's don't bother to change it.

 

[bchcky]

My bro just got a 3" lift from pro comp, it's an AAL in the rear and coil spacers up front.

an AAL lift probably wouldn't be much help for a WJ

don't waste your money on the 2.5" lift from rusty's. for what you're looking at now, a simply 2" (technically 1.75") budget boost will do the trick. if you get into this, and decide to lift more in the future, you can always keep the spacers in for even more lift, or to level the jeep out. but if you buy 2.5" springs, and want to go more, your only option short of new springs is adding spacers to that.

i ran a 2" bb on my ZJ for a long time, and it ran just fine. i cleared 31's with MINOR trimming of the front bumper. you'll be able to clear 31's no problem with a budget boost.

i also ran 31's with the stock speedo gear, not a big deal. just remember that 65 MPH on the speedo might actually be closer to 70.

 

[90Xjay]

i was thinking about the 2.5 on rusty's page, is it still a pretty smoth ride or is it going to handel like our ambulance (can fell every crack, bump, and dimple in the road)? anyone know? and what does it take to do the install, never messed with suspention besides swapping a tie rod and what not.

You will likely need the 3" to clear the 31"s
I have a rustys 3" AAL on my XJ and it was a smooth install. I took two evenings about 2.5 hours each afternoon.
The rear brake line extension is a piece of crap though. IT's much easier just to buy a longer line if you need one

 

[TwistedCU]

You will likely need the 3" to clear the 31"s

Not on a WJ.

I say get a 2" coil spacer and shock kit like Bounty recommended and be done with it. The spacers are all the same no matter where you get 'em, I'd shop for the ones with the best quality shocks at a reasonable price.

x2 on the alignment, it is a must.

 

[Laph]

ok, so i'm going to go with the 2" coil spacers, what are some good shocks to get for off roading and street?

 

[90Xjay]

Not on a WJ.

I say get a 2" coil spacer and shock kit like Bounty recommended and be done with it. The spacers are all the same no matter where you get 'em, I'd shop for the ones with the best quality shocks at a reasonable price.

x2 on the alignment, it is a must.

Sorry,
Didn't catch the WJ..:redface:

Would new springs be totally out of the question.
I just never liked the econo lift deals with spring spacers, I always looked at them as a short cut.

just my 2 cents

 

[TwistedCU]

Sorry,
Didn't catch the WJ..:redface:

Would new springs be totally out of the question.
I just never liked the econo lift deals with spring spacers, I always looked at them as a short cut.

just my 2 cents

Well they are, sort of. It more depends what you intend to use the Jeep for. For a daily driver that might kick around a mudhole or two on the weekend, a BB is a reasonable choice. It retains the stock ride and is inexpensive.

Where it would truly be a shortcut is for someone who plans to run trails that have alot of obstacles or rocks and then they would be limited severly by the short factory springs & control arms with their limited articulation.

I think they are a good choice for someone wanting to get their feet wet so to speak. No sense dishing out $500-$1500 for a suspension only to find you really don't have time for offroading or can't afford the gas/upkeep that goes with a set of 33+ inch tires under your Jeep.

As for shocks, I really liked the "long-travel" Old Man Emu shocks on my XJ. They handled much better than the cheap hydraulic shocks that I originally got from Rustys. There are so many to choose from... hard to get a consensus on what is best but if you post which ones you are looking at, I am sure Jeepz will provide you with feedback on them.

 

[Laph]

the bad part is that i don't have a clue as to the shocks part of it all, I have been thinking about some elderbrook shocks because of what i have read on them but that could always just be a name thing and they suck. don't want to get something and hate it later esp that i'm on a student budget.

 

[TwistedCU]

Edelbrock makes an excellent shock, the EAS or something like that.

 

[mujaman]

i personally love my old man emu shocks and will never buy anything else. they are pricey, but worth it.

its interesting to note that many of the major shock brands are all produced by the same manufacturer and then just sold under different brands... so how much does the brand really matter?

thats why i like the OMEs. they are all made right in australia by their parent company, ARB.