Anyobdy have a JBA 4" KJ lift? Trying to decide on a lift.

CRD_Joe · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2015 3:23 pm

I'm having trouble deciding between lifts for my CRD. On the one hand Id love the JBA 4", but darn, 4500.00! That's going to be 6 grand installed. The other I'm looking at is a Franky which should give me 2.5" and be 2500.00 installed! Is the extra 1.5" worth 3500.00???? I understand the JBA is probably either more flexible or higher quality, but 3500.00?

Just looking for a little advice opinion.

Thanks,

Tom

u2slow · **Joined:** Sun Mar 11, 2012 7:26 pm **Posts:** 160

Have you thought about re-gearing the axles yet? The tires you can fit with 4.5" lift are going to require it. Also factor into the cost replacement of wear items discovered on install, or expire quickly afterwards (balljoints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, ujoints, etc.)

IMHO, go with less lift (~2") and install it yourself. :2cents:

flash7210 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2015 6:15 pm

Well, the highest you can safely lift a CRD is 2.5 inches.
The CV axles on a CRD are a little bit shorter. If lifted too much they will bind up and fail.

If you can do it youreself, it can be done for under $1000. And realistically, 245-75r-16 tires are the biggest (tallest) you can fit with a 2.5 inch lift.

I went the cheap route. A 1 inch lift for under $100 and fit 245-75r-16 tires. But the tires did rub a lot so I had to do some trimming.

Dent · **Joined:** Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:05 pm **Posts:** 275

I have the JBA 4" silver package for the CRD. Based on all the research that JBA has done in the IRS market, I doubt they would sell a kit that "can't be done." So I would say that Flash is not correct in his statement about only 2.5" on the CRD. You will have to machine, or buy machined CVs according to JBA. I machined my CVs to save some money, but JBA can do it for you. Can't say enough good things about JBA. They stand behind their product and provide unparalleled support. If you have the funds, they are worth the money.

Dent · **Joined:** Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:05 pm **Posts:** 275

Also doubt that you would get any return on investment in regearing since the CRD comes with 3.73 and the lowest you can go is 4.10 unless you are spending more money on upgrading the front axle. These motors have plenty of torque to turn big tires, at least the biggest tires that you would be able to fit.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:42 pm

Interesting.
I didnt know the CV axles could be modified to accomodate more lift.

WHITE the civilian · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:23 pm

Dent wrote:

Also doubt that you would get any return on investment in regearing since the CRD comes with 3.73 and the lowest you can go is 4.10 unless you are spending more money on upgrading the front axle. These motors have plenty of torque to turn big tires, at least the biggest tires that you would be able to fit.

The CRD comes standard in 4.10 gears.
With OME's 1.5" kit (CRD option for extra weight), 1/2" clevis spacer and 1/4" top plate spacer you'll be at 2.75" of lift in the front and by adding two upper rear coil isolators per side (three total) you'll have 2.5" of lift in the rear. Jeepnbyal's upper control arms as well.

You could then run 31X10.5R15's on a 15X7 4" Backspaced wheel for a perfect stance and tuck while articulated.

All for under $2,500 approx if you order tires at sams club or costco.
Those 31X10.5's are also cheaper than 245/75R16's!
That's $3,500 under your guesstimated $6K budget!
That's a bumper, winch, light bars and lockers front and rear easy!
Katzkins leather and upgraded stereo for that budget! Haha

I have exactly the same lift and tire/wheel size as mentioned above but with a 3.7L engine.

You can see the tires are a wee bit outside the fender flares.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:59 pm

CRD_Joe wrote:

I'm having trouble deciding between lifts for my CRD. On the one hand Id love the JBA 4", but darn, 4500.00! That's going to be 6 grand installed. The other I'm looking at is a Franky which should give me 2.5" and be 2500.00 installed! Is the extra 1.5" worth 3500.00???? I understand the JBA is probably either more flexible or higher quality, but 3500.00?

Just looking for a little advice opinion.

Thanks,

Tom

Two totally different lifts as far as ride, handling, adjustability etc
No way to compare one to the other

CRD_Joe · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2015 3:14 am

Thanks everyone. I really appreicate it. Tom, I understand. Ive built a number of wheelers. Its just hard to justify 6000.00 at the moment. This is my last built up.

1987 Long Wheelbase Suzuki Samurai.
1985 Toyota one ton engine (2.4liter diesel) and running gear.
ARB's Marlin t-case etc etc etc

https://flic.kr/p/vJpZBX
https://flic.kr/p/woMQF4

Arkie · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:19 am

Hell, if you're gonna spend that kind of money and hire it all done, you might as well send it to Tom.

Bob

John3:17 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2015 9:02 am

WHITE the civilian wrote:

Dent wrote:

Also doubt that you would get any return on investment in regearing since the CRD comes with 3.73 and the lowest you can go is 4.10 unless you are spending more money on upgrading the front axle. These motors have plenty of torque to turn big tires, at least the biggest tires that you would be able to fit.

The CRD comes standard in 4.10 gears.

I'm not sure this statement is accurate. The only 4:10's I could find were from a 4cyl. gasser. If they were in the CRD also they would be a lot easier to find.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:50 am

John3:17 wrote:

WHITE the civilian wrote:

Dent wrote:

Also doubt that you would get any return on investment in regearing since the CRD comes with 3.73 and the lowest you can go is 4.10 unless you are spending more money on upgrading the front axle. These motors have plenty of torque to turn big tires, at least the biggest tires that you would be able to fit.

The CRD comes standard in 4.10 gears.

I'm not sure this statement is accurate. The only 4:10's I could find were from a 4cyl. gasser. If they were in the CRD also they would be a lot easier to find.

That statement is incorrect for sure John for the US market
see here
Gas 2.4 KJ,auto or manual--4.10's
Gas 3.7 KJ,auto--3.73's
Gas 3.7 KJ,5 speed manual--3.73's
Gas 3.7 KJ,6 speed manual--3.55's
US CRD(auto only)--3.73's
Export CRD with 2.8,auto--3.73's
Export CRD with 2.5,auto or manual--4.10's

some are on facebook too much :roll:

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:54 am

CRD_Joe wrote:

Thanks everyone. I really appreicate it. Tom, I understand. Ive built a number of wheelers. Its just hard to justify 6000.00 at the moment. This is my last built up.

1987 Long Wheelbase Suzuki Samurai.
1985 Toyota one ton engine (2.4liter diesel) and running gear.
ARB's Marlin t-case etc etc etc

https://flic.kr/p/vJpZBX
https://flic.kr/p/woMQF4

How much are you paying for labor for install?
Must be a lot

CRD_Joe · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2015 3:30 pm

tommudd wrote:

CRD_Joe wrote:

Thanks everyone. I really appreicate it. Tom, I understand. Ive built a number of wheelers. Its just hard to justify 6000.00 at the moment. This is my last built up.

1987 Long Wheelbase Suzuki Samurai.
1985 Toyota one ton engine (2.4liter diesel) and running gear.
ARB's Marlin t-case etc etc etc

https://flic.kr/p/vJpZBX
https://flic.kr/p/woMQF4

How much are you paying for labor for install?
Must be a lot

LOL! I built her with a buddy of mine who USED to own a shop. We talked about going straight front axle on my KJ using Spider nines but he got to busy then sold the shop. I might end up going with the JBA 4" lift. Tom, did you add anything else to compensate for the front and rear bumpers and mis. other stuff you've added to your truck?

<My first samurai
https://flic.kr/p/7CxmmD
https://flic.kr/p/pbvK1

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:18 am

My CRD with some recent upgrades:

OME Struts/Shocks/Springs (already had installed)
Added 3 conduit nuts to the clevis and two top spring isolators to the rear
JBA UCAs added to the front plus Mr. Gasket wheel spacers for clearance
New Cooper STT PRO 245/75/16

New setup measures 36" front and 37" rear from the ground to the bottom edge of the fender plastic.

Happy with amount of lift. Already had the OME setup so take that price and add about $450 in parts and $925 for tires...maybe $200 in labor if you can't do it yourself. $1600.00 plus OME. Way under $4K and completely happy.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:56 am

Its all because of the CV's. I had looked briefly into going 4" but its astronomically more expensive than the 2.5" kits(JBA,Frankenlift, Custom OME).

I have JBA 2.5" rears and then OME front with top spacer/.25" clevis and it rides dead level with the ARB bumper on it and has a pretty solid stance. I am running 265/70-16's on Moabs and I def had to pound the pinch welds flat and bend the front of the liners forward.

CRD_Joe · **Posted:** Sun Nov 01, 2015 5:14 pm

Thanks everyone. Im going to put out the cash for the JBA 4" lift. Im going to ARB front bumper it and Im having a custom rear bumper/tire carrier/two fuel can carrier made now. Ive got some rocker skids for it and I cant wait to get her wheelin.

Anyobdy have a JBA 4" KJ lift? Trying to decide on a lift.

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