4" lift on 89 GW, pitman arm

[Dude23455]

Hey guys-

I've been working on my jeep for about 6months now, rebuilding the engine, etc. Anyway i just bought a 4" superlift for it (new front springs, add-a-leaf and block in the back) and the shop that i bought it from said i would need to replace the pitman arm, However the Superlift website recommends a new one for lifts 3-4".
Do i need the drop pitman arm or not?

also- has anyone fit 33x12.50's with a 4" lift, i was looking at some pics tonight, and it looks like im gonna need some more lift to fit these tires it bought.

one last thing- my overhead console doesnt work at all, no power, no nothing. Any ideas?

Thanks
Cullen

[kreb]

from reading other posts, anything over 4in you need a drop pitman arm. personally i just bought a 4in lift and went ahead and got the pitman arm. there was a couple posts saying that driving without it was not too bad. but when they drove it with the dropped pitman arm it was a different, better ride.

do a search on the overhead console. i remember there being a post or two on it. i don't know much about fixing that

benjamin

[River Beast]

Yes you need it with a 4" lift or better....

[Dude23455]

so the drop pitman arm should have been included with my 4" superlift kit?

[JohnnyJ]

I can't say it should have been included, but using one may make the steering better. Different manufacturers include different things with their lifts. I've got one on mine with 4" lift, but it didn't come with it (Rustys).

Check out the What Fits, What Hits (http://www.ifsja.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=9&t=000023) post put together by RiverBeast. I think you'll either need to trim or go with 2-3" body lift. It also depends on the size of the rims you chose, from what it looks like.

[jasonthomasfrance]

That's where you need to start reading about different lifts... Some lifts come with a drop pitman, some don't. Because a lift kit doesn't come with a pitman doesn't mean you don't need one. My cam kit didn't came with a valley pan and manifold seals, but i definitely needed them!!

You definitely need a dropped pitman with a lift over 3-4 inches. Problems you will experience: When hitting a bump in the road just right your steering (and vehicle) will jerk sharply to one side. Depending on the speed depends how sharp. Potentially this is very bad, what happens when you are not quit paying attention, the vehicle jerks a little to the side, you overcorrect, and begin to roll or go into oncoming traffic.

I drove my 76 with a 4" lift without a dropped pitman for about 3 weeks. And it was VERY scary. And the jeep drove much better with it installed...

[JeepWagon]

I put 33" BFG MTR's on my Wag with 4" of lift. The Trail Master new front springs and the aal and block in the rear. Worked great on the street. The first time I went wheeling the back fenders hit the tires, pretty hard. I added a 3" body lift. No rubbing at all. I think that you could go with a smaller body lift, 2" would probably work to clear the 33's. I have driven with the stock pitman arm for some time. I have a drop arm in my toolbox, but it never seemed too urgent to install it. I'm going to install it this weekend, maybe it will make a big difference. I don't know.

[River Beast]

Pitmans arms are usually sold separately except for a few exceptions....

You will most likely need a 2-3" bodylift with 33's on 8" rims DEFINITELY a 3" if you runa 10" rim ( I recommend going 3" bodylift and 15x10's on 33x12.50's... you get a wider footprint and offset the center of gravity incerased by the lift)

[NYC]

Okay, I want in on the opinions here... I've got a 3" all-spring lift. I too have heard 3"-4" means you need a drop-pitman. So... at 3" is it optional? I guess it is. I'd like to hear from anyone who's done a drop-pitman arm at 3". I don't have a lot of bump-steer, just a crooked steeringwheel and "twitchy" handling.

Thanks!

[JohnnyJ]

A local guy has a Wag with 4" superlift and 3" bodylift and he gets rubbing with his 33x12.5s (General MTs) on 15x10s.

but it sounds like 33x12.5 on 15x8s don't rub with 4" lift and 3" body.

I like my 33s on 15x8s (small Jeep), I'll see how 35s are on 15x8s (Wag). To me, it's a matter of preference..

(Like POTR vs IFSJA.. ok, maybe not like that.)

[Dude23455]

so looks like i need to get a dropped pitman arm and about 3 to 4" body lift. Is that the general consensous?

how much will the pitman arm run me?

oh-and will i need to replace the brake lines with the 4" superlift? again the guys at the local shop said no...

thanks
Cullen

[River Beast]

I would not do a 4" drop pitman arm on the 3" lift.... it will sit too low and interfere with the main tierod and you don't want that.

The 3" body will be perfect.. they don't make a 4" Bodylift... too high off the frame.

Save the $70 from the 4" drop pitman arm and spend $87 on the bodylift from 4-Wheel Parts (http://www.4wheelparts.com/product2.asp?imseqn=303&occlass=P%2FA&cat=BOD)

They used to sell Trailmaster 3" kit #9315 for $69... dunno what happen there...

[la mula pescadora]

i just install my 4 inch drop, pitman arm (this morning ) i masure it and it only had 3 inch drop from the lower part of tie rod to lower part of where it bolts to gear box but if i mesure if from the top it gave the extra inch, well i currenty have 33, 12.5 , 15 duelers mounted on 8.5 wheels got soa in front ans shackle flip on back got enough clearence for tires i want to do a 3 inch bodylift will this afect my center of gravity? will i have some problems? i dont' want to flip over (no roof) :confused:

[Dude23455]

i already have the 4" suspension lift. Im going to put it on this weekend. But alot of you said that just the suspension wouldnt give me enough clearance offroad, which is why i was asking about the body lift.

so i will have the 4" suspension and then 3" body, for a total of 7" just to fit 33's...

where are some good places to order FSJ parts from? the 4wheelparts websight didnt have a lift for the wagoneer.
when i install the body lift, what else will i need to modify? steering extensions?

sorry so many questions, im a total newbie to all of this smile.gif

thanks
Cullen

[River Beast]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dude23455:
i already have the 4" suspension lift. Im going to put it on this weekend. But alot of you said that just the suspension wouldnt give me enough clearance offroad, which is why i was asking about the body lift.

so i will have the 4" suspension and then 3" body, for a total of 7" just to fit 33's...

where are some good places to order FSJ parts from? the 4wheelparts websight didnt have a lift for the wagoneer.
when i install the body lift, what else will i need to modify? steering extensions?

sorry so many questions, im a total newbie to all of this smile.gif

thanks
Cullen<hr></blockquote>

Yes the 4" susps lift and 3" body is needed for the 33's

The bodylift will come with the shift rod extension (wlding required) BUT you may have enuf length on existing rod to work.. check it first.

No steering mods are needed.

The bumpers will need to come off to get the body lip clear.

The radiator will need to be dropped 3" which is easy... just drill new mounting holes in the radiator support brackets 3" higher and drop it back in. ensure your tranny lines are clear of the fan after install.

I have more info on my site for bodylilft install....

What FSJ parts are you looking for? Just genral stuff or particular 'hard parts'....

[River Beast]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dude23455:
i already have the 4" suspension lift. Im going to put it on this weekend. But alot of you said that just the suspension wouldnt give me enough clearance offroad, which is why i was asking about the body lift.

so i will have the 4" suspension and then 3" body, for a total of 7" just to fit 33's...

where are some good places to order FSJ parts from? the 4wheelparts websight didnt have a lift for the wagoneer.
when i install the body lift, what else will i need to modify? steering extensions?

sorry so many questions, im a total newbie to all of this smile.gif

thanks
Cullen<hr></blockquote>

Yes the 4" susps lift and 3" body is needed for the 33's

The bodylift will come with the shift rod extension (wlding required) BUT you may have enuf length on existing rod to work.. check it first.

No steering mods are needed.

The bumpers will need to come off to get the body lip clear.

The radiator will need to be dropped 3" which is easy... just drill new mounting holes in the radiator support brackets 3" higher and drop it back in. ensure your tranny lines are clear of the fan after install.

I have more info on my site for bodylilft install....

What FSJ parts are you looking for? Just genral stuff or particular 'hard parts'....

[River Beast]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dude23455:
i already have the 4" suspension lift. Im going to put it on this weekend. But alot of you said that just the suspension wouldnt give me enough clearance offroad, which is why i was asking about the body lift.

so i will have the 4" suspension and then 3" body, for a total of 7" just to fit 33's...

where are some good places to order FSJ parts from? the 4wheelparts websight didnt have a lift for the wagoneer.
when i install the body lift, what else will i need to modify? steering extensions?

sorry so many questions, im a total newbie to all of this smile.gif

thanks
Cullen<hr></blockquote>

Yes the 4" susps lift and 3" body is needed for the 33's

The bodylift will come with the shift rod extension (wlding required) BUT you may have enuf length on existing rod to work.. check it first.

No steering mods are needed.

The bumpers will need to come off to get the body lip clear.

The radiator will need to be dropped 3" which is easy... just drill new mounting holes in the radiator support brackets 3" higher and drop it back in. ensure your tranny lines are clear of the fan after install.

I have more info on my site for bodylilft install....

What FSJ parts are you looking for? Just genral stuff or particular 'hard parts'....

[Dude23455]

i would just like a place that i could order the lift kit and pitman arm from, every sight that i could find in google didnt have the lift for a Wag after 85...

i cant wait to get this lift installed, its gonna be so sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Cullen

[Dude23455]

hmm just noticed something...

should my lift have come with new, longer u-bolts?

Cullen

[River Beast]

um..... yes... that's mounting hardware that's needed.... tyr not to re-use U-bolts if at all possible... especially OEM ones that have been on for years....call them ans aks why they weren't sent....I would

There arent shops that carry ALL FSJ stuff... yo have to shop around....

there are links in the tech section of IFSJA.. check theer for you needs....

[Dude23455]

i thought they should have been included.

im beginning not to trust this local shop :/

Cullen