JK lift questions

Robert Bradbury · **Joined:** Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:37 am **Posts:** 132

I have a 2002 JK that I want to lift . My Jeep is a daily driver, but I will be going offroad from time to time and I will be towing a boat or trailer weekly during the summer. Please help answer some or all of the following:

-Which lift is easiest and retains stock or slightly stiffer ride?
-Is 4 " lift now a reality or is the 2.5" still the only proven design?
-I want a wider stance, so are the 1 " spacers safe or should I go to offset wheels ? If offset wheels what is the offset and
bolt pattern to achieve the same ?
-I do not have the trac lock system in the rear diff, so can I get one from a auto wrecker and install or is another
aftermarket a better idea?
-I was looking at the ARB bumper, but it appears someone else is developing a similar front and rear bumper . Are they going to be available this year, possibly spring time?
-Which winch is sufficient .
-I do not have a sunroof which I really miss, I like the open air feel from time to time. Is there an aftermarket one that I could use or is it possible to transfer one from a wreck ? I know the headliner would have to be changed as well ?

Thanks in advance ! Robert

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:58 am

Robert Bradbury wrote:

-Which lift is easiest and retains stock or slightly stiffer ride?

Easiest is a spacer lift. But they really ruin the ride quality, so you're best off with a suspension lift. Easiest (and by most opinion, best) coil lift is the Frankenlift, because it comes with the struts pre-assembled.

Quote:

-Is 4 " lift now a reality or is the 2.5" still the only proven design?

2.5->3" is pretty much it. Any more than that and you have to replace a lot of other parts to keep the front suspension happy.

Quote:

-I want a wider stance, so are the 1 " spacers safe or should I go to offset wheels ? If offset wheels what is the offset and bolt pattern to achieve the same ?

I've heard people trying both of those methods. A lot of people call the spacers dangerous, but so long as you don't cheap out, I can't imagine they'd all just sheer off while driving. A lot of people are using the Moab wheels of the Wrangler Rubicon, since they look great and are easy to find used.

Quote:

-I do not have the trac lock system in the rear diff, so can I get one from a auto wrecker and install or is another aftermarket a better idea?

If you're doing the work yourself to install it, go for a real locker, you'll get better results, and I can't imagine it'd be that much more money (although if you can get a REALLY good deal on the trac lok, maybe it's worth it)

Quote:

-I do not have a sunroof which I really miss, I like the open air feel from time to time. Is there an aftermarket one that I could use or is it possible to transfer one from a wreck ? I know the headliner would have to be changed as well ?

There was some talk of aftermarket sunroofs on here awhile back. Basically, they are expensive (over a grand), but so long as you don't cheap out, they work well. The cheap ones are the ones that end up breaking and leaking.

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:46 pm

Se7enLC wrote:

Robert Bradbury wrote:

I do not have a sunroof which I really miss, I like the open air feel from time to time. Is there an aftermarket one that I could use or is it possible to transfer one from a wreck ? I know the headliner would have to be changed as well ?

There was some talk of aftermarket sunroofs on here awhile back. Basically, they are expensive (over a grand), but so long as you don't cheap out, they work well. The cheap ones are the ones that end up breaking and leaking.

I believe Jeepin' Al sells some sort of aftermarket sunroof. shoot him a PM or check out his website www.jeepinbyal.com

the1jferg · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:46 pm

Se7enLC said: " Easiest is a spacer lift. But they really ruin the ride quality"

Only thing that changed my ride quality was better shocks and tires.

Have him explain the science of that since it rides on the same springs with no compression/expansion or change of spring rate :lol:

Is yours a prelow??? If you have a prelow, for a very few bucks on spacers, I am 2 1/4 front & 2 3/4 rear higher than a new stock KJ. (note 1)

It depends on how much you want to spend and how high you wanna go.

http://www.thefergusons.us/kj/kj.htm

You might look into a detroit tru-trac for the rear limited slip

1) The CRD & Limited have different springs. CRD = heavier / Limited = Taller (many folks don't know this info)

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:10 pm

I wonder if you put the crd springs on a gasser how much lift you would get?

Robert Bradbury, I would think the frankin lift is the best for you. Its the highest lift you can get without killing the cv joints, I believe the Sky jacker lift makes it to high. Its not a bad idea to buy a set of Al's upper control arms with the franken to fix the angle of the ball joint.

Moab rims look great and are cheap used.

I just bought a powertrax noslip but havent gotten it in yet. I hear they are the best locker when It comes to not making noise when driving on-road.

Rock Lizard is working on a front and rear bumper that I believe is cheaper than the front arb bumper. I do not think he will have it done before spring. I think his is lighter also.

I dont know about the sun roof?

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:10 pm

1) The CRD & Limited have different springs. CRD = heavier / Limited = Taller (many folks don't know this info)

So what if you have a CRD Limited? Heavy Talls Springs :roll:

the1jferg · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:27 pm

Thats a good question :idea:

I walked around dealerships for 2 hours (free Starbucks) with a measuring tape and never ran across that one

I have 500 reasons why the powertrax is the best option, for me noise was not on the list :lol:

I'm stuck with it and do agree (now) noise ain't a reason not to have one.

The fact there are 30 something parts in your rear axle that can COST ya, the No-slip only replaces about seven of the least expensive and it don't interfere with the rest, is on the list. :wink:

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:32 pm

What's a JK?

:lol:

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:30 pm

Tokyojoe wrote:

What's a JK?

:lol:

I believe its the new 4 door wrangler. and if so, how the hell did he get one???

:lol:

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:48 pm

He said it was a 2002 ......

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:52 pm

I believe the JK is the new 2007 Wrangler. My guess is he had a typo.

Robert, I have the Rusty's coil lift and I tow a large popup camper and a 20' pontoon. Just not at the same time. :lol:

The ride quality is pretty good. When towing, the rear end does sag a bit. I am going to put in air bags in the rear springs to help with towing. I believe Speleorelic has done this to his KJ. It keeps it level so you have better stability.

Robert Bradbury · **Joined:** Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:37 am **Posts:** 132

Ok, so I got a four door JK ...............Jealous ??

You know its a typo, give me a break, I'm new to the Jeep world and I'm still learning my j c t k's .......o.K ?

Thanks all for your help so far . I have to consider the possibility that I will need slightly heavier springs because I will be
using ( if it is made this year) the new steel front and rear bumpers which probably will weigh 400 lbs . Are the ARB bumper
guys OK with the Frankinlift in terms of sagging ?

It also seems like the powertrax noslip is the one for me as well , I have heard good things about it and it is only slightly more than a used trac loc original .

I do think as well that I will be looking for Rubicon wheels to provide the extra width, I'm just not comfortable with the spacer option.

As for the sunroof, i think I will wait it out unless I can get a factory replacement . Just too risky to be cutting away the roof on a uni body me thinks.

Robert

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:41 pm

Just get a custom convertible chop job done to it. Would be awesome. Make the other Jeep model owners jealous and lay a foundation for otyhers to follow.

Edwin · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:52 pm

[quote="Se7enLC
Easiest is a spacer lift. But they really ruin the ride quality, so you're best off with a suspension lift. Easiest (and by most opinion, best) coil lift is the Frankenlift, because it comes with the struts pre-assembled.

You can get the Old Man Emu lift pre-assemled too. :wink:

From All J Products.

Edwin · **Posted:** Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:56 pm

[quote="Jeepjeepster"]I wonder if you put the crd springs on a gasser how much lift you would get?

You'd probably get some lift since they have a bigger wire diameter.

But they would cost more than getting aftermarket springs for a gas KJ. :wink:

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