Pondering my lift...

Vertisce · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:22 pm

I know that I want to aim for 31x15 (not sure on the width yet) tires and I am pretty sure it is possible to do. I know there will be rubbing to get those tires on as well but I am hoping it will only happen at full lock. The big question is if I can get enough lift out of a budget spacer lift or if I need to go all out and get a replacement system all together to get the right kind of lift needed. If I have to go all out I would probably go with the Frankenlift but budget is an issue. I am hoping to keep it under 2K for sure. The cheaper it is the easier it will be to convince the wife...but I also want it done right. May or may not have to get new rims...the ones I have are stock and I would like new ones but again...price is an issue. What is a good set of tires to get as well? Any advice is appreciated.

CRUD! I put this in the wrong section...please move this if a mod does not mind? Thank you...

ohv_kj · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 11:16 pm

i had 265/75/16 which are biiger then 31's on 2.75 of lift

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:17 am

Liberty lifts tend to be ~2 1/2 inches - spring or spacer - and 31x10.5 15's have worked
- takes a little cleaning of pinch welds and liners and the wheels need some offset to avoid hitting the swaybar
either Different rims or wheel spacers.

Make sure the 'budget' spacer lift is a Daystar type and not the OTT type
OTT tends to kill your struts - sometimes in as little as 1 weekend

Taz's install writeup
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=26190

modular · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:32 am

All I have done is a BDS spring lift (2") + a clevis lift in front with one extra upper isolator in the rear. I am probably at 2.5" total. I run 31x10.5-15" tires on a 15x7 steel Cragar Soft 8 rim. I did have to trim the front of the front wheel well and pound the pinch weld. If you are going to use the stock 16" rims, the size comparable to that is 245/75/16.

daspes · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:37 am

Moved for ya.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:12 pm

for about 650 you can have 4 OME heavy duty springs and 4 Rancho shocks, and still have 1350 for wheels and tires :wink:

great lift lasts a long time unlike some, like Rustys which sag so its a good investment
same springs / shocks that you get in the franky and with a clevis and some other tricks just as high :wink:

Vertisce · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:12 pm

Ok good...so it can be done I just need to decide on the lift and rims. I was planning on spacers of some kind. I want the tread to be even with the fender edge or maybe out just a little. I know I will have to bash the pinch welds as well. What do you mean by Daystar type of lift? Is there something that the others like Skyjacker don't come with?

InCommando · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:25 pm

The Daystar-type lift is a spcer lift that uses your original springs. The RRO OTT lift stresses the original strut/spring to give you lift, and kills your components pretty quickly.

If you are going to get aftermarket rims, just get the off-set you want & don't worry about spacers.

Vertisce · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:49 pm

I think I am firmly decided on getting the Rubicon Moab rims for my liberty.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-Wra ... otohosting

They look great...what kind of tire would I need to fit a 16" rim like that? And would I still need spacers?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:57 pm

most of the folks running Moabs got them as a combo deal with 245/75/16 MTR's - and it's a great combo
you wouldn't need spacers

(the downside would be if you try for 265/75/16 -
the Moabs will make the rear rub worse - because of the width and offset)

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:03 pm

ya I like to Moabs too but I think they are usually overpriced you can go and buy some Cragar Soft 8's cheaper now granted they do weight more but they look just as good if not better

Vertisce · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:49 pm

Yeah I am not a fan of the Crags...just the whole round hole thing really.

So this is the lift I am looking at right now then...
http://www.4wheelonline.com/Products.as ... tId=154839

It looks right. Now my question is...is there a noticable performance difference between this and a more expensive Frankenlift that replaces the springs. And are there any serious issues I need to think about while offroading with poly spacer lifts over suspension lifts.

I figure if I can get that lift for as cheap as it is I can easily get a set of tires and Moab rims and get the whole thing done for less than 1K. Which is perfect for me.

Found these and many auctions like this on eBay...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-JEEP-R ... 06.c0.m245

And I can find one more rim for about $110 giving me all 5. If I get some that are slightly dinged up I can get them with used tires for about $800 for 4 or 5 of them. I guess what I would probably do is get all 5 rims and go get new tires...I can get 5 BFG AT's for about $750. Unless someone has a better recommendation...keeping in mind that I need good road performance because this is my daily driver.

I guess when it comes right down to it I am a little worried that if I do a budget lift and use spacers I will end up regretting it later on. I don't do a lot of heavy wheelin' so hopefully it shouldn't be a problem.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:03 pm

Vertisce wrote:

Yeah I am not a fan of the Crags...just the whole round hole thing really.

So this is the lift I am looking at right now then...
http://www.4wheelonline.com/Products.as ... tId=154839

It looks right. Now my question is...is there a noticable performance difference between this and a more expensive Frankenlift that replaces the springs. And are there any serious issues I need to think about while offroading with poly spacer lifts over suspension lifts.

I figure if I can get that lift for as cheap as it is I can easily get a set of tires and Moab rims and get the whole thing done for less than 1K. Which is perfect for me.

Found these and many auctions like this on eBay...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-JEEP-R ... 06.c0.m245

And I can find one more rim for about $110 giving me all 5. If I get some that are slightly dinged up I can get them with used tires for about $800 for 4 or 5 of them. I guess what I would probably do is get all 5 rims and go get new tires...I can get 5 BFG AT's for about $750. Unless someone has a better recommendation...keeping in mind that I need good road performance because this is my daily driver.

I guess when it comes right down to it I am a little worried that if I do a budget lift and use spacers I will end up regretting it later on. I don't do a lot of heavy wheelin' so hopefully it shouldn't be a problem.

Very few people will talk highly of the spacer lift. IIRC, Sport has a spacer lift and has no issues with it. JUST MAKE SURE TO GET EXTENDED BUMPSTOPS. Otherwise your struts won't last very long. http://www.trailquest.com/teraflex/KJ/suspension.shtml#bumpstop

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:13 pm

if you are going to go cheap on a lift then get the daystar for $155 and Ranchos all around with extended bumpstops

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:26 pm

jsc7002 wrote:

if you are going to go cheap on a lift then get the daystar for $155 and Ranchos all around with extended bumpstops

X's two
plus look around for Moabs I got all 5 with 245-75X16 MTRs for less than the price of two tires :wink:

Check different forums, like ROF, Rubicon Owners Forum, they show up on there every now and again for less than 110 each

ga_repoman · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:50 am

if you go with the daystar have fun
you think putting the lifted strut back in place is a pain
wait till you try to get the bumpstops in
My lift is the daystar and it works great no problems now I had to chase down a chirping sound
but it was a rubber on metal squick little wd and it was fixed

Going to give it a real world test next month by driving cross country

It's a great cheap lift and the fount and rear can be completed by hand in a carport in one day or a weekend easy
we installed mine without any power or airtools even to compress the strut springs

Sport · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:34 am

BeepBeepJeepJeep wrote:

Vertisce wrote:

Yeah I am not a fan of the Crags...just the whole round hole thing really.

So this is the lift I am looking at right now then...
http://www.4wheelonline.com/Products.as ... tId=154839

It looks right. Now my question is...is there a noticable performance difference between this and a more expensive Frankenlift that replaces the springs. And are there any serious issues I need to think about while offroading with poly spacer lifts over suspension lifts.

I figure if I can get that lift for as cheap as it is I can easily get a set of tires and Moab rims and get the whole thing done for less than 1K. Which is perfect for me.

Found these and many auctions like this on eBay...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-JEEP-R ... 06.c0.m245

And I can find one more rim for about $110 giving me all 5. If I get some that are slightly dinged up I can get them with used tires for about $800 for 4 or 5 of them. I guess what I would probably do is get all 5 rims and go get new tires...I can get 5 BFG AT's for about $750. Unless someone has a better recommendation...keeping in mind that I need good road performance because this is my daily driver.

I guess when it comes right down to it I am a little worried that if I do a budget lift and use spacers I will end up regretting it later on. I don't do a lot of heavy wheelin' so hopefully it shouldn't be a problem.

Very few people will talk highly of the spacer lift. IIRC, Sport has a spacer lift and has no issues with it. JUST MAKE SURE TO GET EXTENDED BUMPSTOPS. Otherwise your struts won't last very long. http://www.trailquest.com/teraflex/KJ/suspension.shtml#bumpstop

it is true, I have had 0 issues with the spacer lift and 30k miles now. I am upgrading my front but only because I want to not because I need to. I can sell you the two front spacers for 30.00 if you want them.

Vertisce · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:23 pm

Heh...then I would have to find the rear ones somewhere and all the extra parts for the front...

Thanks for the offer. If I can find the other parts I will take you up on that. But I think this is definately the way I will go. I can always upgrade later if I wish to like you have as well.

Sport · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:45 pm

Vertisce wrote:

Heh...then I would have to find the rear ones somewhere and all the extra parts for the front...

Thanks for the offer. If I can find the other parts I will take you up on that. But I think this is definately the way I will go. I can always upgrade later if I wish to like you have as well.

no additional parts need for the front. The bumpstops don't come with the kit.

ga_repoman · **Posted:** Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:42 pm

my kit cam with bumpstops
also had swaybar rubber in it as well

just remember in the rear to add the extra spacer but dont take out the factory one otherwise the front will be higher than the back

Pondering my lift...

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