Econo lift

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:54 am

I have to buy new tires before winter. However before I buy tires i have to replace the ball joints and a tie rod end. Since I am going to be replaceing these items and will need a wheel alignment anyway, I am considering installing a lift at the same time.

Requirements:
#1 Cheap, cheap and even more cheap.
#2 it must be functional. 2.5 to 3 inches is what I going for.

What options are availible these days?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:19 am

anything approaching a lift really needs new struts/shock
The stock ones were bad from the factory and only used to keep the wheels on
-but that's most of the cost.

you could do Daystar - it lists cheap (~$150)and works
but if you don't have extended bumpstops expect the front springs to start sagging

The best thing is to do all OME springs/struts - more expensive
but the ride quality will be great - and everything will work
(FYI - the gassers can get away with Rancho fronts - CRD's need the OME - better valving)

I tend to buy everything through All-J's - their prices are reasonable -
they support the site - and if you ask questions - they know the answer - they work with KJ's

http://boulderbars.com/frankenlift_crd.htm

except they don't have the expended bumpstops - Jeeping Al - does
http://jeepinbyal.com/prod-TeraFlex_Bump_Stop-653.aspx

Oh - and 2 1/2" is considered the limit to keep the CV's from dying
but that's measured at the spring - due to the leverage you normally get ~4" measured on the body.

tonycrd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:36 am

nursecosmo wrote:

Requirements:
#1 Cheap, cheap and even more cheap.
#2 it must be functional. 2.5 to 3 inches is what I going for.

Been there, done that....(Daystar 2" CRD lift)

Functional? Hmm, maybe if you never use it.

I'd look for a used OME set.

Turbo Tim · **Posted:** Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:59 am

I have to say that I did the OME over 2 years ago and am so glad I did. I tow heavy trailers, off road with some folks in the back seat that have been on "Full Feed" for several years now, and load heavy stuff in the back from time to time.
The ride is excellent. You get what you pay for.
The problem is that if you cheat now, you'll never take the time to fix your lift right and you'll pay for it in the ride and handling every time you drive.

Ask around here and I believe all will tell you: Pony-up and buy the good stuff the first time.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 25, 2009 11:35 am

nursecosmo wrote:

Requirements:
#1 Cheap, cheap and even more cheap.
#2 it must be functional. 2.5 to 3 inches is what I going for.

No such thing exists for the CRD.A spacer lift is not very functional and will only accelerate the OEM coil sag(which happens fast enough).The only 100% functional CRD lift is the CRD Frankinlift which is still cheap for what you get.

jinstall · **Posted:** Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:08 pm

I know H&R makes a 3/4 lift for the KJ and I was thinking about getting this. My rear is starting to sag a bit and I think the whole Jeep has gone down some.

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:03 am

Thanks all, for the responses. This gives me something to chew over at least.

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:36 am

Does this work with the CRD? http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi ... 16J1L.html

linewarbr · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:58 am

That's the Daystar lift they are talking about.

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:35 pm

Would the Daystar, used in conjunction with the extended bumpstops, be less functional than the factory setup? I'm not doing any serious wheeling where I live now, and just can't presently afford the frankenlift. I'd mainly like to have a little more snow clearence and be able to run a larger tire size.

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:09 pm

I've been running the Rocky Road outfitters 2" budget lift for 2 1/2 years with stock struts, although I have changed out the stock shocks.

The kit included the daystar 1.5 inch front spacer, Daystar 2 inch rear and a 9/16 spacer plate for the strut. I couldn't find the kit it on their website, but they do sell the 9/16th spacer plate for the front for $39 .

AllJ's sells the daystar spacers for $155. The kit includes the Daystar 1.5 inch front, 2 inch rear. Together you'll have around $200.00 in parts.

I'd recommend getting new struts while your at since yours are now 4 years old. I know mine are ready for replacement.

This has served me well. CV angles are level, I run 245x75 R16's and I've done a lot of wheeling and the lift is still holding up. Its time for an upgrade for me, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lift if your looking for something cheap and high quality.

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2009 9:22 pm

bugnout wrote:

I've been running the Rocky Road outfitters 2" budget lift for 2 1/2 years with stock struts, although I have changed out the stock shocks.

The kit included the daystar 1.5 inch front spacer, Daystar 2 inch rear and a 9/16 spacer plate for the strut. I couldn't find the kit it on their website, but they do sell the 9/16th spacer plate for the front for $39 .

AllJ's sells the daystar spacers for $155. The kit includes the Daystar 1.5 inch front, 2 inch rear. Together you'll have around $200.00 in parts.

I'd recommend getting new struts while your at since yours are now 4 years old. I know mine are ready for replacement.

This has served me well. CV angles are level, I run 245x75 R16's and I've done a lot of wheeling and the lift is still holding up. Its time for an upgrade for me, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lift if your looking for something cheap and high quality.

Thankyou. That is exactly what I'm looking for. Did you use the extended bump stops?

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 5:21 am

What size tires will the daystar kit allow without modification?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 7:44 am

Depends on the tread width

I had the Daystar front
but I had MTR's on a first - they fit fine - no problems (they're ~ 7.8" tread width)
when they wore out - I went to an AT and the tread was wider (~8.2")and it hit the pinch weld
so I had to flatten the weld

both tires were 245/75/16 - but the tread width was different.

Later when I took out the 2 1/2" Daystar and put on the 1 1/2" OME - the ride height was exactly the same - the front springs had sagged enough to make up the difference.

tonycrd · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 2:05 pm

bugnout wrote:

The kit included the daystar 1.5 inch front spacer, Daystar 2 inch rear and a 9/16 spacer plate for the strut.

AllJ's sells the daystar spacers for $155. The kit includes the Daystar 1.5 inch front, 2 inch rear. Together you'll have around $200.00 in parts.

This has served me well. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lift if your looking for something cheap and high quality.

Ok...this is what I had. Bugnout is right, it does work. But it makes your front end very very stiff...very good on road, but it's not so nice ofroad.

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:16 pm

Will the extended bump stops maintain the factory spring travel, so that the springs don't sag?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:48 pm

nursecosmo wrote:

Will the extended bump stops maintain the factory spring travel, so that the springs don't sag?

No,extended bumpstops just keeps the bigger wheel/tire up travel in check to prevent other problems like ripping body parts off,cutting your tires,and in the KJ's front IFS they will keep the shock from bottoming out.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:20 pm

nursecosmo wrote:

Will the extended bump stops maintain the factory spring travel, so that the springs don't sag?

They might.
I did not have them on my Daystar

What really causes the sagging is when the springs compress to metal to metal i.e. stacking -That really kills the strength
the CRD spring wire is thick - and there's not much space in between the coils and the Daystar preloads it.
so you don't have much upward travel before you start hitting metal to metal.

The extended bumpstop has to be long enough to keep them from hitting, I don't know if it is.
you'd have to cycle the suspension and try it.

the spring preload - by itself - shouldn't kill the spring

it does change the suspension so that it rides stiffer, and it gives the strut a problem because the hydraulic internals are trying to be linear - and the spring resistance is not linear.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:43 pm

ATXKJ wrote:

nursecosmo wrote:

Will the extended bump stops maintain the factory spring travel, so that the springs don't sag?

They might.
I did not have them on my Daystar

What really causes the sagging is when the springs compress to metal to metal i.e. stacking -That really kills the strength
the CRD spring wire is thick - and there's not much space in between the coils and the Daystar preloads it.
so you don't have much upward travel before you start hitting metal to metal.

The extended bumpstop has to be long enough to keep them from hitting, I don't know if it is.
you'd have to cycle the suspension and try it.

the spring preload - by itself - shouldn't kill the spring

it does change the suspension so that it rides stiffer, and it gives the strut a problem because the hydraulic internals are trying to be linear - and the spring resistance is not linear.

Preloading a coil will cause sagging,which is the cause of the stiffer ride.The CRD(like all other KJ's) use linear coils,the front shocks get killed due to bottoming out before hitting a bumpstop(a major problem with OTT lifts).

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:54 pm

Why do these folks say that the 2.5" won't work on the CRD? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-09-Je ... .m20.l1116

Econo lift

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