KJ body lift?

IrishKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:50 pm

Hello, I'm new to the forum and the KJ world. I traded in my '98 TJ (57000 miles) for an '06 Dark Khaki Renegade due to having to put 2 car seats in the back. The KJ will be a daily driver and rarely see off-road, unfortunately. However, I am interested in possibly lifting it a bit (2") to fit some bigger tires. I have been sifting through the forum to find possiblities and have seen some nice rigs.

At my dealership today I asked what, if any a lift would do to the warranty and the service guy told me it would void the powertrain warranty. I was a little surprised by this statement but let it go. I then asked what options I had for lifts through them. The guy didn't know specifics but started talking about a body lift priced approx $800. He stated that a suspension lift would be approx double that. I thought he was crazy based on what I have seen both on this forum and at other web sites. So please help me out. Has anyone done a body lift on their KJ? Will a lift void the PT warranty?

Also, anybody got pictures of a lifted Renegade with the stock wheels? The Rubicon wheels look awesome but I'd like to keep my stock wheels if possible. Thanks!

Fouros · **Posted:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:56 pm

suspension lift only on the KJ

cannot do a body lift a it is a UNIBODY not body on frame

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:59 pm

You can't put a body lift on the KJ as it is a uni-body vehicle (the body and frame are one peice) like the XJ, WJ, WK and Commander (I don't know what it's two letter code is.)

You can get a 2.5" spacer lift for about $250 or a spring lift for around $500-800. Lifting itself will not void your warranty. The Moss-Magnussen act states that a warranty can only be voided due to modification if the modification actually caused the damage, and then it can only be voided on that specific part. That doesn't meant they won't try to tell you that problems won't be covered because it's lifted, but a polite reminder of the details in the above listed law usually serves to solve the issue (but not always.)

I would talk to the general manager of your dealership and see what he says. If he feels the same as the service guy then go find yourself a lift and offraoding friendly dealership. There are quite a few out there, you just have to look.

Where do you live?

Skipperb · **Posted:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 11:25 pm

IrishKJ · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:04 am

I'm pretty new to the whole lifting thing (never lifted the TJ) but have read a ton on them on forums like this. The body lift idea didn't even sound right to me. On a TJ, yes I've heard of them. Your responses now tell me why I've not heard of one for the KJ. I'm in Tampa, FL.

priell3 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:09 am

IrishKJ wrote:

Also, anybody got pictures of a lifted Renegade with the stock wheels? The Rubicon wheels look awesome but I'd like to keep my stock wheels if possible. Thanks!

My lifted Renegade with stock wheels, new tires. More on my Cardomain pages.

Fouros · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:34 am

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:06 am

body lift? They are so pointless anyways...It won't void the warranty. If you put larger tires on and your transmission goes out-then yes it may void it out that way. Rarely will a transmission or any other driveline fail from going from say a 225/70 to a 245/75. There may be one or two guys on this forum that have had a transmission failure. There are what 1000 of us? How many are lifted? Probably a couple hundred at least. The only real weak point is the dana 30 pos we got up front. For mild wheeling, I wouldn't even worry about it. It will void the suspension warranty. That $800 figure is a little steep. Most TJ body lifts are in the $80-$120 range and wouldn't take a pro more then a couple hours to install. For $1600 you better be doing a full suspension IFS full size truck (my dad was quoted $1500 for a 4 inch installed on his '02 Suburban). If you go top of the line with the Frankenlift ($775 I believe) and 4 hours install ($80 per hour) you are at $1000. Plus alignment, you are in the $1100-$1200 range. Some 4x4 shops do free alignments when you buy and have them install the lift in house. Shop around...

IrishKJ · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 9:34 am

Let me just make sure I'm clear. I'm not saying I want a body lift. I probably will only go with a spacer lift of some sort. I'm just telling what the dealer said. My concern is voiding any warranty on a brand new '06. Keep the pictures coming of those Renegades. Thanks guys!

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 9:42 am

A dealership in Indianapolis, IN said they would install and align a 2.5" Skyjacker coil lift for $1360. With the price, I also got notice that if I went anywhere other then a Jeep dealership, I would void the warrenty. His claim is that ANY change to the suspension will void ANYTHING connected to the suspension (ie. drivetrain). I mentioned that it seemed to be depended on the dealership as I knew of other dealerships that did service lifted KJs. He then switched into the "I have sold Jeeps for 30 years..." dialogue. He then took me outside to look at a CJ that had a lift the dealer installed. He pointed out the the drivetrain had also been lowered to maintain the same angles. His claim is that this is a necessary step that most cheaper shops don't do. First I had heard of that but then again, I have only had my Jeep about a month. What do I know?

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Science_Guy wrote:

A dealership in Indianapolis, IN said they would install and align a 2.5" Skyjacker coil lift for $1360. With the price, I also got notice that if I went anywhere other then a Jeep dealership, I would void the warrenty. His claim is that ANY change to the suspension will void ANYTHING connected to the suspension (ie. drivetrain). I mentioned that it seemed to be depended on the dealership as I knew of other dealerships that did service lifted KJs. He then switched into the "I have sold Jeeps for 30 years..." dialogue. He then took me outside to look at a CJ that had a lift the dealer installed. He pointed out the the drivetrain had also been lowered to maintain the same angles. His claim is that this is a necessary step that most cheaper shops don't do. First I had heard of that but then again, I have only had my Jeep about a month. What do I know?

Lift it and don't worry about it. You don't need to lower the drivetrain, because of the longer wheelbase of the KJ and only lifting 2-3 inches. Big difference between the CJ and KJ. If they don't want to cover you Jeep (technically, they have to but it's not worth the effort) then just go to another dealer. I'm sure there are plenty in Indianapolis. Also, if you get a lift and want some help installing it let me know. Indianapolis is only like an hour and half from me, so I'm more than willing to help you throw it on in my garage along with any other mods you are intrested in.

bennybmn · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:44 am

Can't do a body lift on a unibody...

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:09 am

Sorry to hijack but...What is it with dealers and their service departments that just make up anything hoping a customer will go just eat their BS? According to DC's own warranty details, the lift components and any damage it CAUSES are not covered. It does not VOID an entire warranty. Yes, a 2.5"+ lift can CAUSE CV joint strain so that wouldnt be covered, but voiding the whole powertrain is just crap. A warranty is a legal contract. If your dealer keeps feeding you BS on a warranty issue, call DC Customer Arbitration : 1-800-992-1997.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

DaveKJ02 wrote:

:x Sorry to hijack but...What is it with dealers and their service departments that just make up anything hoping a customer will go just eat their BS? According to DC's own warranty details, the lift components and any damage it CAUSES are not covered. It does not VOID an entire warranty. Yes, a 2.5"+ lift can CAUSE CV joint strain so that wouldnt be covered, but voiding the whole powertrain is just crap. A warranty is a legal contract. If your dealer keeps feeding you BS on a warranty issue, call DC Customer Arbitration : 1-800-992-1997.

Not to argue w/ you and I agree. But it is not worth usually fighting when the dealer down the street will take care of you with no questions. Also, do you really want some one working on your Jeep that is being forced to work on it? Think of the quality of work and customer service you will get then. Report them to DC and move along to another dealer is my best advice.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:28 am

Awesome 4x2 :lol:

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 2:41 pm

That dealer you went to Irish, just by opening their mouth and what you have read here, should have given you a red flag so you know not to go to them for anything... of all people a jeep tech/Service Manager, should know you can not bodylift a Unibody and just proves they are trying to swindle not help you.

Now if that is the only dealer you have around, do not let them lift your rig, lifting the KJ is easy, especialy with All J's Franken lift being sold with the strut preassembled (only hard part of any KJ lift is putting the front strut assembly together) Basically, do it yourself, or get the LOST guys in your AO to do a Wrench-A-Thon If you want help, I am sure it won't cost you more than a Bar-b-que.

Then IF you have a waranty problem and that is the only dealer you can go to, take it in... I bet they do not notice, especially if they are as dumb as you mentioned. Then if they turn down your warranty, go to the GM, then the owner, then call the DC number above. When you talk to the GM or Owner, mention the Moss-Magnussen act (SP?? Look it up to ensure, I have the right name) Basically it is Federal Law that a warranty must be honored. It States that the Dealer must prove that a modification to the product actually caused the damage to the warrantied product.

So This is a brief list of what would be viewed as warranty expired:

Any new non Jeep Parts
CV Shafts due to "bad Angle" Mine are actually better angle than stock now, many end up same angle only downward vs upward angle.
Control arm bushings
Tie rod end Joints
Ball Joints (although many have been able to get them replaced after a lift due to the recalls, and mine were recalled after I lifted her Good timing for a failure on mine I guess) Recalls ared different than warranty though
U-jounts on rear driveline only

Some things depend soley on the dealer, due to Service Managers making the call instead of accross the board being the same until a regional rep comes out when you make a stink.

there are other things that they could try to fight you on, but won't win I had one dealer try to say that my wheels and tires were too heavy and that caused my bearings to go bad, but then I put them on the scale and then a factory tire and wheel on a scale, and they were only 10lbs different not the 20lbs that they said in the report, so the regional rep sided with me...

Sorry so long, but warranty items are complicated, until you find a lift friendly dealer to go to and work with.

Myke · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:08 am

This thread made me laugh. can i have the number to the guy who told you to do a body lift?

KJ body lift?

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