LOST JEEPS
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/

NH Lift Laws, Recommendations and an Education!
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1426		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  NHLiberty [ Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  NH Lift Laws, Recommendations and an Education!
ok, I'd really like to lift my Rene. Just a a2" lift so I can put some 31's on it and get a lil more clearance. I have a bunch of questions because I'm not real mechanical. My husband is a total motor head and is more than capable of installing anything I want, but he doesn't want us to spend any money until we verify the laws in NH. We don't want to put the money in and end up not passing inspections! I'm doing some research in the NH DMV, but I wanted to put my questions here to get input from all of you. Here are the questions we have:

1) My friends son is a getting his inspection certification and says there is a new law in NH that prohibits either body or suspension lifts (can't remember which he said) - has anyone else heard this? Here is the NH Inspection Laws lik http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/saf-c3200.html[this is the only question my hubby has]

These next questions are for me - cuz I wanna learn about lifts!

2) What's the difference between a body lift and suspension lift?

3) I don't see us doing any "hard core" off roading, maybe some level 1-4 stuff. Would you recommend a body or suspension lift?

4) What 2" lift would you recommend?

That's it for now - more questions to follow once I understand this stuff! Thanks for the input!!
Author:  raceinfan [ Sun Aug 28, 2005 10:35 am ]
Post subject: 
HI NHliberty as far as I know they don't make a body lift for the KJ,only suspention,& depends on how much wheelin ya do meaning full suspention (springs,& what not) or a spacer (puck) style from what I've read most of the guys here are running the full kits & usualy run RUSTY'S OR FRANKENLIFT ( ALL J PRODUCTS) I guess if you use for more of a daily driver then a spacer lift should work but myself personaly I'd do a full kit,it's probably $100-200 extra ( ballpark figure ) & you get everything less strain on the stock springs :D

l.o.s.t.#535
04 columbia ed. & 04 sport
Author:  quivvy [ Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
they dont make a body lift for the KJ because its a unibody. that means the "frame" and body are all one piece as opposed to most trucks where there is a body on frame design. a body lift simply lifts the body off the frame using spacers.

as for suspension lift for moderate use you have plenty of options. there are spacer lifts such as daystar and revtek and rustys.

there are also TRUE suspension lifts that replace the suspension components such as springs, shocks, and struts. these lifts are made by (in order of price) rustys, skyjacker, frankenlift (all j products). i would personally advise you to get a rustys spring lift for your needs ($420) i believe (www.rustysoffroad.com). if that # is too high for the budjet id look into the revtek or daystar spacer lifts, those should also be fine for road use and some wheeling. best of luck.
Author:  skrracing [ Sun Aug 28, 2005 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Hope this helps
I would just move...That will cure the problem. later...clint
Author:  NHLiberty [ Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks guys - so now i know suspension lift is my only choice - that changes my questions a bit as far as which one to get :)

Which lift would you recommend based on my wishes:
1) It will give me the lift and clearance I need for slightly bigger tires.
2) If will affect the ride of the Libby the least - cuz it is my every day driver!
3) It will have the least adverse affect on her (I've heard concerns in here about hurting something with a lift?!)
Author:  Skyjump136 [ Sun Aug 28, 2005 6:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Given your particular concerns I'd look at the Rusty's 2.5" coil lift. More info can be found here... http://www.rustysoffroad.com
Author:  LimitedLurker [ Sun Aug 28, 2005 11:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
I would avoid any 2.5" lifts. Most cause upper ball joint contact when the wheel drops. Its expensive to replace the UBJ. A 2.5" may not cause you any problems but the potential for problems is higher. The extra .5" doesn't buy you much.

Rocky-Road outfitters (http://www.rocky-road.com/kjsus.html) has a combo lift. This is just over 2" and I don't remember anyone having problems with it. It has been popular over the years for people with goals similar to yours. As a spacer lift it is simple and inexpensive. It will firm up the front suspension slightly which most people like (if they can tell at all). Some have had problems with RRO. I have ordered from RRO 4 times and have been very happy with the results. If you have any concerns about product availability you can email Glenn, the owner, and he'll let you know. Sometimes the people that take the order on the phone don't know what the inventory is really like.
Author:  Calvin56 [ Mon Aug 29, 2005 12:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
LimitedLurker wrote:
I would avoid any 2.5" lifts. Most cause upper ball joint contact when the wheel drops. Its expensive to replace the UBJ. A 2.5" may not cause you any problems but the potential for problems is higher. The extra .5" doesn't buy you much.

Rocky-Road outfitters (http://www.rocky-road.com/kjsus.html) has a combo lift. This is just over 2" and I don't remember anyone having problems with it. It has been popular over the years for people with goals similar to yours. As a spacer lift it is simple and inexpensive. It will firm up the front suspension slightly which most people like (if they can tell at all).


Not sure I'd agree with LL here. 2.5" lifts really don't have the problems he is talking about unless you were actually wheeling them pretty seriously. For example, the upper ball joint contact only happens at full droop with the suspension- not driving around town. Most lifts have allready fixed to avoid these problems as well.

I would definately go with a lift that replaces the springs and shocks, buecause these are what will really help out your ride quality. I am extremely happy with the 2.5" Frankenlift- a little more expensive, but the ride quality and extra clearance is NICE.

.5" doesn't sound like much, but just that extra room allows you to have tires that have a better chance of not rubbing.

I've only ridden in one KJ with a combo lift, and it did NOT have the quality of ride the Frankenlift had.
Author:  Necteau [ Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  I have the best option
I live in Laconia, NH and I have had no problems with my 2.5" lifted liberty. It has been lifted thorugh two inspections without any problems. I would also suggest going to Lakes Jeep for all of your future service needs as BUtch the manager is very nice and they are very friendly to offroaders. You should have no problem with any laws.

As for what lift you should get, the answer is MINE! I have the 2.5 inch Daystar Spacers in the front and Rusty's 2.5 inch springs in the back. If your husband does the work you can have the complete lift for FREE! including my back shocks which are Ranchos that take into account the lift. I would obviously need your stock parts though as I dont have my stock springs anymore. I have had 32" tires on my jeeo which are pushing it a little so 31" fit nicely. I havent had any UBJ problems and I wheeled this thing hard. If you are interested or have any questions about anything send me an email.
Author:  NHLiberty [ Mon Aug 29, 2005 6:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
I do appreciate the offer - but I have to say no thank you. We don't wanna give up our stock stuff in case we don't like the ride of a lift - cuz it is my every day driver.

That's super nice of you tho! I love this place!!!

Also - since you're a local - my hubby has heard rumor that for '06 NH passed a "no suspenion modifications" law, have you heard anything about it?
Author:  AmericanMetal [ Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Here's something to think about. Anyone with an untrained eye such as (the inspection station) isn't going to see the 2.5" lift in the liberty. Unless your parked next to a stock one the guy/girl won't know just by looking at it. The 2.5" lift really isn't that noticable to say wow look, they must have a lift in that thing. If you stick with a spring type lift, even if they take the tires off to inspect the brakes they won't know it's not the factory spring either. Make sure you spray the aftermarket parts black... I've never seen anyone at an inspection station take out a ruler and start measuring bumper height. Especially if you didn't set off an arm to do it. They'll look more for emmissions, brakes, proper running lights, etc. and not even notice your jeep is 2.5"s higher.
Ya know I really can't beleive that, they're saying you cant lift at all. Thats B.S. maybe the state should worry a little more about the criminals running around. Wait don't breath... you might get a ticket. Ride high in NH I say....
Author:  dirtykj [ Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
AmericanMetal wrote:
Here's something to think about. Anyone with an untrained eye such as (the inspection station) isn't going to see the 2.5" lift in the liberty.


That's only true if you lifted it <b>and</b> upgrade the tires. If you don't go for larger tires, it's pretty easily spotted (to me anyway) because of the now-huge gap you have :wink:
Author:  AmericanMetal [ Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
You're absolutely right about that but they did state in their second sentence they wanted to put 31's on the jeep. Which is why I did'nt bother talking about tire size and just tried to answered the question about the suspension height. But since we are here, I stand corrected.
Author:  NHLiberty [ Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
heh thanks guys! I think we're gonna do the lift and some 245's or 31's whatever :)

I did get the number for someone at NH DMV who can tell me the law for sure. I'll post here when I get the poop!
Author:  IceColeNH [ Sun Sep 11, 2005 12:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hi,

I live in Manchester and installed an Rusty's 2.5" suspension lift myself. I then got Toyo Open Country A/T 's 245 75 16. 31" +/- of meat.
I had the vehicle inspected at the dealer and had no problems. I do have sidesteps which help in hiding the lift. With them off it is a little more noticeable. I also had Rusty stickers all over the rear of the vehicle and still not even a whimper from the dealer. They only complain about my clear license plate covers.

The lift has good ride quality. Similar to stock, a little softer. With the 245 tires I get a little front wheel rub on extreme turns. Anything wider will require other than stock wheels with an offset.

I did a mild test of the suspension in April in Maine on an old logging road in Greeneville at the site of the B52 crash site. The lift made a big difference as much of the road had wash outs. Stock Libby would not have made it through or over some of the large humps in the road.

Any questions feel free to ask, I'll try to answer them.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/