What, exactly, is limiting the KJ?

Donnie · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:48 pm

In terms of lift? Why can't we exceed more than 3"? I think I remember someone saying the upper control arms?

I don't hardcore offroad my jeep, we have pretty rough winters around here and I need a dependable ride. Is than any option above 3" that would suit my needs?

What would happen if you combine a spacer and coil lift.

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:51 pm

a bunch of things are limiting it

Control arms and CV shafts both seem to get angry at 3"

and this is also where one could say IFS is limiting its lift :lol:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:51 pm

Donnie wrote:

In terms of lift? Why can't we exceed more than 3"? I think I remember someone saying the upper control arms?

I don't hardcore offroad my jeep, we have pretty rough winters around here and I need a dependable ride. Is than any option above 3" that would suit my needs?

What would happen if you combine a spacer and coil lift.

The front diff(the dana30a is very questionable about handling 33" tire and up) and the CV shafts.Also with the rack and pinion steering creates challeges in lifting above 3".

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 1:52 pm

Nothing really.. well, besides a company that wants to make a good lift for it. All it needs is a cradle drop and something done to that front diff.

unixxx · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:02 pm

Essentially, everything about the front geometry and material choices. The control arms, CV shafts, and steering rods can only drop so far and the tiny aluminum D30a doesn't like big tires. Al used a set of his upper control arms and modified CV shafts to build his 5" lift.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:12 pm

unixxx wrote:

Essentially, everything about the front geometry and material choices. The control arms, CV shafts, and steering rods can only drop so far and the tiny aluminum D30a doesn't like big tires. Al used a set of his upper control arms and modified CV shafts to build his 5" lift.

Didn't Al relocate the UCA's also?He was talking about cutting new holes for the UCA's to mount lower when he did his lift.The rear is to easy just the front is a pain.Cheaper to do a SFA swap,gotta change the front diff any way.

unixxx · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:15 pm

tjkj2002 is correct, Al also moved his upper control arms down and dropped the engine/front diff cradle.

Gris · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:17 pm

yes. Al had the UCAs dropped 3" by cutting new holes in box directly under where the current holes for the UCAs are located.

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:53 pm

I never realized Al had actually done all that extensive work on this vehicle. I thought I saw it on eBay. If that was his, did he sell it already?

RAYMAN975 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:50 pm

yea that was his. im not sure if it sold yet or not

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:28 pm

The limiting factor for the KJ is the imagination and effort of aftermarket businesses that haven't tried to do something for the KJ.

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:37 pm

Al also had his front diff reinforced with additional aluminum webs/ribs if I remember right. Have heard of high angle CVs in the works also, but haven't seen them yet. A nice 2.5 inch all spring CRD lift is coming and all I'll need for what I do.

wendell · **Posted:** Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:07 pm

Personally, I think 2.5 or 3" is just fine, you can run up to a 31 or 32" tire. That will get you most places you need to go. When I was younger, I thought all trucks needed to be like big foot to wheel, but after actually doing it for 20 years. I have found that to big is more trouble than it's worth and it limit's the vehicle in all other aspects except offroad and even there it's hard on parts, high center of gravity and such. Even on my wrangler and CJ's I never ran more than 3 or 4". The biggest tire I have ran was a 33, but perfere 31 or 32. This setup takes me everywhere I need to go and if it won't, I guess I don't really need to go there ha ha. I don't have the will or money to keep throwing parts at these rigs. A modest lift, good tires, a truetrac and I'm gone. I'm at the point where I enjoy the simpler things in life, less hassles, just fun and relaxation and I can still drive it home or through the car wash, even some parking garages, I don't even have to come to a stop to make a turn ha ha. I might be a loaner here, but 2.5 and 31"s make for a dependble package on the lib from what you guy's say and thats good enough for this ole moutain goat. If I can get over a rock, large turtle and a log, I'm wheeling.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Naw, Wendell, you've got it figured out right. I look at it pretty much the same way. I have a moderately modded KJ and it's purpose is to handle some moderately rough terrain. Works good, too. The KJ CAN become a lot more extreme -- some of our members have proved that. But for me that's not the goal. I think 2"-3" of lift is plenty, and I'm finding that 245/70 R16 tires are all I need too.

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:33 pm

If you look at what the expedition rigs worldwide are running, you'll see that we are well within the realm of a rig that we can enjoy offroad and on the street longterm under the conditions most of us will realistically see.
I used to like getting under and over my rigs almost as much as I liked wheelin' them.
Now the riding areas are almost all gone, and the ones still available are turning into such a zoo of people out to destroy what's left to enjoy with bigger rigs, bigger tires, more unauthorized detours or perceived trail improvements to open the tight trails to bigger rigs. Soon everyone in my area will be relegated to poser or outlaw status by our own actions.
The west side of the Pacific Northwest is not the wheeling area it used to be and it's our own fault.
Offroad club membership have followed the drop in area availability and lack of respect in what used to be a family oriented activity. I'm sure it's happening everywhere.