Lift kit question...

[jeepgeek]

Ok, I was wondering if anyone here is running or has run the BJ's Offroad 6" lift kit listed here. (http://www.bjsoffroad.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=522&cid=14)

I need something soft and flexy specifically for heavy off-roading with 35's. Is this a good kit for such an application? I have a 76 2Dr w/t chero. My alternative will be to put chevy springs on, and I think that would be a big can of worms...

[AlsChopShop]

go SOA/shackle flip on stock springs, it will make it nice and flexy for what you need.

Al

[4x4fEvEr]

i had that lift, its a pretty good lift, the back will be a little bit stiff till it gets broke in but it works great

[Dirtball]

BJs makes a very good lift, and lots of folks on here deal with them often. With you being out west the cost of shipping won't kill you either... though it'll still be pretty high. I was going with the BJs, but I went with Hell Creek, which is on par in price and quality, because they are located in MS and I'm in AL... made shipping cheaper. Otherwise, I would have gone with BJs based on the good words about them on here.

You could easily run 35s with a 6 inch lift.

[jepj2000]

X2 on the SOA/Shackle flip. If this is a trail truck then this is the conversion you would want. flat springs would be much flexier than the heavy arched springs in a 6" kit. If you do decide to do this there is some welding involved and you will have to do a crossover or highsteer conversion as well, which is a good thing for offroad but just something you'll have to spend more money on.

When a SOA is done by a shop it can add up in price really quick but the more you can do yourself the cheaper it would be.

Rankin

[jeepgeek]

Hey guys, thanks for the input. You all just made my life a lot easier. :thumbsup:

I'll post pics as progress is made.

[jeepgeek]

Another question here guys...

The SF/SOA kit here (http://www.bjsoffroad.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=844&cid=14), says it gives a total of ~7 inches lift. My question is, would this give a total of ~13 inches lift combined with the lift springs in the kit I linked above? Or could I actually just do the SF/SOA and clear 35's?

[malodin]

if its a cheorkee chief(fender flares) you can clear 35's on a 4" lift

[jeepgeek]

It is indeed the w/t chief! So the SF/SOA kit is the ticket then, it would seem...

[Dirtball]

Another question here guys...

The SF/SOA kit here (http://www.bjsoffroad.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=844&cid=14), says it gives a total of ~7 inches lift. My question is, would this give a total of ~13 inches lift combined with the lift springs in the kit I linked above? Or could I actually just do the SF/SOA and clear 35's?

You don't want to do this... to put big enough tires on to make this look right you'd have to upgrade your axles... and it doesn't sound like that's what you're looking for.

As Malodin said, go with a 4 or, as you said you wanted, a 6 inch lift and you're good, though stock Cherokee axles are somewhat marginal with 35s...

[jeepgeek]

I actually have a 75 che** shortbed that i'm hoping to swap drivetrains from. The che** has a 12bolt rear end with hardened axles, D44 front, and the 35's are already on there. The truck was wheeled hard for some time on the 35's before it was wrecked, and it held up. Any ideas of the weight differences between a che** shortbed and a chero?

My thinking here is that I could stick with the stock springs, which should give me a softer ride and more flex.

[j20brett]

Depending on how you feel about fender trimming, you can fit 35's with 0-2" of lift and cutting the fender flairs off. Ive got 2.5" rancho springs up front and clear 34's just fine with a little trimming. Link to pics is in my sig

[jepj2000]

Well if you are using Chevy axles then the front is already SOA which means you won't need the kit for the front axle and means less $$$$. The 12bolt is not going to be much different than a D44 in strength. I think if you drive smart you shouldn't have a problem making them last with 35s, but if you are all throttle then you will break stuff anyway.

I still say go SOA and 35s, you will really like it when its all said an done for flex off road. My J10 is SOA and only has 33's and they don't even look bad.

Rankin

[billyrb]

4" with 35's will rub when you flex, FYI. If you never flex the axles / don't off-road, then you can put them on with a smaller lift. But when the axles start flexing you will rub. On a Cherokee Chief W/T, here is a good rule of thumb:

To clear 33's: 4" of lift min.
To clear 35's: 6" of lift min.
To clear 37/38"'s: 8-9" of lift

35's are about the max tire size I'd run on a D44.

[jeepgeek]

So, the soa/sf kit on BJ's says it will give ~7 inches lift. Is that all I need to do in order to clear 35's with no rubbing during flex?

[Dirtball]

Yes...

Just understand that you will have driveshaft issues, steering issues, exhaust issues... the driveshaft and exhaust are fairly easy fixes. The steering is more complicated... but an SOA will give you great flex for offroad... and is the way to go for an offroad only/mostly vehicle.

[jepj2000]

Yeah and if you are going to run the chevy front D44 then you only have to buy the rear shackle flip and that will save money so you can set up the steering correctly.

Just drive smart and the tire size will be fine, plenty of people have made D44s with even larger tires last but if you are all throtle then make sure you have plenty of spare parts with you.

Rankin

[ncchaos]

I went soa/shackle flip and couldn't be happier.Much better ride, great flex, and now set up for bigger axles in the future.

[jeepgeek]

I guess I'll plan on doing the SOA front, SF/SOA in the rear. As for steering, I would like to do a high steer setup. Does anyone have more info, preferably with pictures before/after?

Also, BJ's has the one inch lift HD shackles... anyone have experience/wisdom to impart regarding those? I have some home made 2 inch lift shackles on my CJ5, and I've had no problems with those.

Also, thank you all very much for your insights and help. I appreciate it greatly. I am deeply impressed by the attitudes of the people who frequent this forum, and I'm glad to be a part of it.

[jeepgeek]

For a minute I thought maybe ya'll were just sick of talking to me. But a little bit of searching revealed that this question had already been answered quite in-depth here (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=58435). :thumbsup:

Thanks for all your help guys.