Lifting a KJ -- basic info requested

nrifenbark · **Joined:** Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:31 am **Posts:** 8

Hello all: I have an 06 KJ Ltd select trac with factory P235/65R/17 tires/rims. It is stock. I went off road last weekend and although I got there and back okay, I thought the clearance [skid plates to ground] was insufficient. I am interested in a lift of some kind -- not for looks or even bigger tires, but just for a little more ground clearance. I would not want mileage to suffer (if I can avoid that) nor do I look forward to wierd stresses on the suspension components, driveshaft, ball joints and all of that.

I am not mechanically inclined and would have to have some one or some shop do a lift for me [I don't know a ball joint from a strut]. I don't want to overbuy or buy into a lot of future problems. My KJ is my daily drive and off road happens a lot but just to get to and from camping sites, not to impress the neighbors by pounding up grades or though junk I can avoid.

Just wish the KJ from the factory came with a little more clearance in the first place. Maybe 1.5 to 2 inches and that's all.

Advice?

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2005 2:40 pm

on the cheap end of the spectrum you have the daystar 2.5 inch lift for around $249 and the spendy end you have the Frankenlift 2.5 inch $775. If you want flex get a full suspension lift like the Frankenlift or Skyjacker or Rusty's, if you just want clearance, get a daystar. Personally I just needed a little more clearance so I just ordered a Rusty's spacer lift (2.5 inch) for $159. The daystar is supposed to be a safer lift (lest strut/spring/upper ball joint) problems. Most lifts available are the 2.5 inch variety with some being 2 inches (OME and BDS). Rough country sells a 3 inch kit but I have yet to hear good things about it.

priell3 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:17 pm

I have the 2" lift from 4WD.com.

It includes 4 new springs, rear shocks, front strut relocation brackets. It results in improved ground clearance without undo
stress on driveshaft or suspension components and improves the ride quality. It cost me around $460 with shipping and $315 to have it installed at a shop specializing in Jeeps. Where are you located?

Joe Jeeper has the same lift. Here we are side by side:

nrifenbark · **Joined:** Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:31 am **Posts:** 8

I live in Calabasas, CA [Southern California]. I looked at All J Products and see he is in So. Cal. too. Maybe that's the place to go?

priell3 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:52 pm

nrifenbark wrote:

I live in Calabasas, CA [Southern California]. I looked at All J Products and see he is in So. Cal. too. Maybe that's the place to go?

Lots of members in SoCal. Maybe an install party!

Calvin56 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:59 am **Posts:** 345

All J's is definately the place to go. They can fill you in on the options, and set you up with what you need. The full suspensions give you a better ride, and a little more capability. If you get a lift, it will give you more clearance; add larger tires and you'll get another good sized boost.

You will lose a little fuel economy by lilfting because of the additional air flow underneath the car. Also, adding larger tires will reduce your mileage (more rolling resistance and more aggresive tread pattern).

Currently I get 16-18 MPG per tank with full skids and a lift running 245/75 all terrains. The 16-18 MPG is uncorrected for the size of the tires, so its probably a little better than that.

jeepmed · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2005 12:24 pm

I'm getting 16 to 17mpg on stock tires and no lift.

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

Mileage will very great based on driving style. Lift, with tires and armor I get higher mileage then alot of stock people. But I did see about a 10% reduction in fuel economy.

Check out All-J's for the lift, especially if you are close. They will steer you in the right direction.

m0th · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:15 pm

Lifting the Jeep made zero difference to my mileage. Putting bigger tires on a month or so later was a different story.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:26 pm

lift didnt change my mileage. And im not getting bigger tires for that reason. Im not getting full skid plates either. Just 2.

Edwin · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2005 12:47 am

I have the OME HD with Ranchos all around, and it works great. I got 2.5". I got the heavy duty because I too go camping and carry lots of gear.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2005 3:07 am

I run 255/70R16's on my rig with no noticeable drop in fuel economy. I average 17 miles per gallon with a 50/50 mix of highway/city driving (20 mile commute to work on highways with little traffic). On tires, the width affects fuel economy more then anything, my 255's are a bit (10 millimeters) wider then the tires most people here run (245/75's are by far the most popular to run with a lift). They are close (measured 30.4 inches high) in height to the 245's (i believe most of those measure to 30.5 or so depending on tread). My original tire was a 235. If you are worried about fuel economy get a less aggressive tread. Yes mud terrains look sweet but a daily driver (actually any trail rig) is about compromises. Fuel economy or capability? Pick one and quit complaining.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Mon Dec 19, 2005 3:23 pm

All the above is correct if you want a capable off road and a DD.

Mine is a DD, and it does great off road too. Mileage is a concern if you do a lot of stop and go, it will decrease with larger tires, I have the 245 MTRs now, and I was running 255 BFG AT KO's, the mileage difference was only about 10 miles to the tank, so no huge difference. I do not do a lot of stop and go though, and most of my commute is 40 mph about 15 miles each way.

You will loose a little mileage, but the big dropper is if you add a roof rack (as I did) and a lot of heavy armor modifications (again as I did) I currently get 14-16 mpg daily, and about 16-18 MPG on those long trips to Texas. Then on wheeling trips, I get about 13-14 mpg, and towing my pop up trailer I have never gotten better than 13mpg.

If you want a good way to estimate fuel economy, use a truckers formula, not exact, but pretty close on mine. Take your original MPG, then for every 100 pounds, you subtract one Mile per Gallon. Granted different rolling resistance for different tires is not accounted, but it is not exact just a way for you to get an estimate of what to expect.

Like this: I started at 18-19 mpg stock Added a lift and larger tires and about 50 pounds of off road tools (about 100lbs total change) and best I could get was 17 mpg. then I added about 150 lbs of armor a roof rack and tire and lights on it, and now I am down to 14-16 mpg.

Hope that helps your decision.

Ted

Lifting a KJ -- basic info requested

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