Suspension or Body Lift

[Cliff]

After reading many posts here about suspension lifts, it seemed the way to go, but the other day I saw a GW with a 4" body lift - no suspension changes. It looks so simple. Any drawbacks?

[talntar]

I saw a GW with a 4" body lift - no suspension changes :eek: have never seen a 4" body lift.anyway i would not do it.you would get tons of body flex esp.if you put any wieght in it.go for a full spring lift you will be happer in the long run

[River Beast]

max legally is 3" in most states....

suspension system (all four springs) is the best way to go but not the cheapest.

[HeepofaJeep]

Personally, I like my 3" body lift. I do know a guy with a 4", but it is not totally legal :eek: . I like the body lift because it allows me to keep my bumper at a legal level and still get the clearance I need. I also have more room for working on the engine. The steering and clutch linkages were kinda' a b!tch tho. With my 3" body, and who-knows-how-much suspension lift, I am able to fit 44" tires w/o rubbing at all (I also use the m715 fenders), and my front frame rail is only 29".

My 3" is set up so I can tack weld the bottom of my mounts to the frame. My 3" is not legal in my state, because technically you are supposed to use lift blocks, but 3x3 square tubing was cheaper. Mine is done in the same fasion as you see in the picture, except his is the 4" I was talking about.

http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/1963-1987-Pickups/r-lift2.jpg

[ April 24, 2003, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: HeepofaJeep ]

[orangecherokee]

i have both and i would definitely recommend the suspension lift. body lifts will help in getting some bigger meats under there but with most suspension lifts you get better springs which help with the flex and wheel weight. just my opinion of course.

[HeepofaJeep]

I definately agree w/orange cherokee.

However, I also think that after a point, too much suspension lift is worse than a body lift. But that is only after a point, and I don't think that is what we are talking about here.

I was just pointing out that I do like my 3" body.

[will e]

I have the 4" rusty lift and will do a 1 1/2 to 2 inch body lift. I noticed there were a couple of 'bumpers' between the frame and body. Does this help if the body flexes and should I also add a couple of inches to these if I lift the body?

[Manhattan]

If you're only going 3"-4", I'd use springs only, for the reasons mentioned here: better springs, better flex, increased ground clearance...

If you're going 6"-8", I'd use both. As mentioned here, once you go over 4" with springs, you run into lots of issues with stiff springs, steering, driveshafts, etc.

Spread the lift: 4" springs, 3" body and the Jeep will be happy!

[River Beast]

if you want 6-7" of lift and nice flex.... go SOA

[Manhattan]

Originally posted by River Beast:
if you want 6-7" of lift and nice flex.... go SOAGood point - for the front. And there's always the 4" spring & 3" block combo for the rear.

[Merc69]

It was great meeting you last week at the little jeep club meeting smile.gif If you are talking about PsyOp I only did a 3inch body lift and replaced the rotting rubber body bushings at the same time. That rig also had an optional suspension package so I actually had the equivelent of about a 2 inch suspension lift standard. 33's fit but are tight. I need to get around to a little fender trimming as soon as I can.

Come on and join the Jeep Club as I need someone else to help fight off the little Jeep guys who keep eyeballing my rig for parts smile.gif

I am looking for a Ford Dana-60 for the Wag and either a 60 or a Corp 14 bolt for the rear. Then it is spring over time.

[Stuka]

Just go with river beast rear shackle flip, stock springs, no blocks, equal lift to front so it sits level.

[robselina]

okay, I have a slightly different opinion than most of the guys on the list so I'll chime in. I have 6" suspension lift on my Wag, 4" suspension lift on my Cj + 2" body lift. Body lifts will let you fit bigger tires while mantaning flat springs. I think the stock springs flexed great on my Wag, up and down. Flatter springs are also stronger, less likely to bend. I did this to one of my front lift springs going (read: bouncing all over) up a rock ledge. Running 3" body lift I think is a good place to start. Our rigs are long though, so chasis clearance becomes rather important for breakover angle. For an FSJ, I think you do need a little spring lift as well. Personally, I'd just get RiverBeast's kit for the rear and go SOA on the front. This is what I'd do if I did it over. If you don't want to go so extreme, get a 3" body lift and then add as much suspension lift as necessary to get the ride height you want.

[ChrisB]

Which 3-4" spring lift is the best?

[robselina]

the rusty's kit is really reasonably priced expecially if you get it from BJsoffroad and tell him you're a member. I like my 6" just fine. Read this though:

http://www.wagoneers.com/FSJ/tech/Suspension/FSJ-lift-options.html

it's generally agreed tha the Skyjacker is the 'best'...

[River Beast]

Originally posted by Manhattan:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by River Beast:
if you want 6-7" of lift and nice flex.... go SOAGood point - for the front. And there's always the 4" spring & 3" block combo for the rear.</font>[/QUOTE]YUCK!! BLOCKS!?!?!? Do the SOA and order my Rear Shackle Inversion.... no block needed!!! :D

http://home/earthlink.net/~riverbeast/RB_Kustoms

(Yes... that is a plug for me... ;) )