Teetering between lift kit choices!

[AnnieL]

Hi everybody,

I'm TOTALLY undecided about whether to go with a 2" or 4" lift for one (or both) of my rigs...

I think for my purposes 6" is a little much-I'm not into crawling rocks-but I would like to get more clearance...I'm a desert ratt and spend a lot of time in areas with bad roads, some fairly steep hills, etc. I think with a 6" lift I'd be afraid of tipping over! :eek:

Pros and cons to each?

I'm considering the lifts from BJ's.

Any and all comments welcome!

[mattmopar440]

Well Bjs is the way to go Very nice ride

2" is kind of a waste of money you wont see any real benefits

I'm currently running a 4" with 31" tires Rides nice looks great :thumbsup:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd140/mattmopar440/IMG_0467-1.jpg

[Jafo-Mo]

You would be better ff with a four inch. And do yourself a favor and get the kit with all 4 springs rather than rear blocks.

You will like the BJ's or Rusty's kits.

2 inch is a total waste of time in my opinion. 6 is to much in most cases.

a 4 inch with 32s is about ideal for stock gearing and ride comfort.

[AKAMC]

Any thoughts on shocks? I too have been looking at the 4" kits...

[mattmopar440]

Any thoughts on shocks? I too have been looking at the 4" kits...

The Pro Comp ES3000 Shocks have the softest ride in my opinion the Pro Comp ES9000 Shocks are a little bouncy.

[Jafo-Mo]

my rustys kit came with shocks. had to order the boots extra. bought boots off e bay for like 20.00 shipped with the clamps.

[AnnieL]

You would be better ff with a four inch. And do yourself a favor and get the kit with all 4 springs rather than rear blocks.

You will like the BJ's or Rusty's kits.

2 inch is a total waste of time in my opinion. 6 is to much in most cases.

a 4 inch with 32s is about ideal for stock gearing and ride comfort.

Ooh no blocks for me, that seems sorta scary!I see people out here all the time with waaaaay too much lift and blocks-looks terrible-and I can't help but wonder what kind of problems they'll end up with! I wondered if 2" would just return it to looking stock, looks like I've got my answer! I've already got shocks (Rancho) so I guess all I need is the brakelines and the kit (and some muscle to help me pull this off!)

Matt: I love the way your rig looks with the 31's! What tires did you go with? I currently have Bridgestone AT's on mine that I have been very happy with-

Thanks everyone!
Annie

[Ristow]

Bridgestone AT's on mine that I have been very happy with-Annie:)

matt likes BFG's....don't you matt? stick with bridgestones. better tires for inclement driving duties. the Revo's are real nice.

[draglink]

I agree with the above if going between the 2" and 4" go with the 4". Once its lifted they seem to shrink! I dont mean the springs settle(they do a tiny bit) and they actually lower but the "lift" factor lessens. I went with Rustys 6" plus front shackles. Im running 33"s. This is my daily driver and it drives excellent. We also pile wife and 3 small kids in all the time with no issues. I dont rock crawl or wheel hard, just to the NC beaches in the summer. I wanted a nice tall stance and good on road behavior...I got both!

[billyrb]

the one complaint we receive the most after folks install their lift is "I should have gone one step higher" :) The 4" with 31's is a great combo. Also, with the 6" and 33's you will be FAR from tipping over and it feels very stable. Just takes a little getting use to wheeling with a rig this big & heavy for most folks.

[AnnieL]

Thanks for all of your responses everyone!

I do have two GW's, so I'm thinking for my '89 I'll go with 4" lift, and for my '88 a 6" lift, then I can have the best of both worlds.:D

The '88 some of ya may remember is that gorgeous black beast with a moonroof that I got for free a couple of years ago. She's still having a snooze in the garage-but that won't last forever.

And, Now the BJ's has layaway-I can get started sooner than later. (Totally cool!)

[Casey]

4" w/ 31" BFGs - 'cause they're better than Bridgestones.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/rcasey/FSJ/90gwdone007.jpg

[AnnieL]

:)

matt likes BFG's....don't you matt? stick with bridgestones. better tires for inclement driving duties. the Revo's are real nice.

I do like them-and out here my tires really do take a beating-major extremes in weather, crappy roads, deep sand, etc. and they've done very well!

[AnnieL]

4" w/ 31" BFGs - 'cause they're better than Bridgestones.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/rcasey/FSJ/90gwdone007.jpg

Sweet lookin' rig you have there Casey!!

[Casey]

Sweet lookin' rig you have there Casey!!
Used to Annie. I sold it a few years back. It's rust free and in great shape. It's 'the one that got away'. :(

The new owner paid me to install the lift and Edelbrock goodies before he took 'delivery'.

Ristow had his chance at it. :p

[MischiefMan]

I was just having this very discussion with myself about how much lift. My '88 GW will primarily be a tow vehicle to drag my XJ around to camp sites when I'm wheeling and what not. I need a bit of a lift to be able to get to camp though. Would 4" be too much in this case?

[cajun_lad]

IMHO, 4" is never enough. After a few years, my 4" lift was settled and looked more like a 2.5-3" lift. Can't go wrong with the 6" lift, but for some people its just too much. So then the 4" would be the next choice. I don't understand why the 2" lift is even available or considered. If you just want stock stance restored, have your springs rearched or use some AAL's to stiffen them up a bit.

[Ristow]

BFGs - 'cause they're better than Bridgestones.:zzz:


Ristow had his chance at it. i saw it had BFG's on it.:D

[Tejasol]

Ok, I'll be different. I bought the 2" lift from BJ's and am very happy with it. I didn't have to extend brake lines, or worry about drive shaft angles. Yes, I don't have a ton of ground clearance, but I don't wheel my rig very aggressively. I am running the same size tire that others run on thier 4" lift. I don't rub either. I am driving a buddy's with 4" while he builds some sliders for me and I really can only tell the difference as I step into it.

My personal opinion is that if I want a serious trail rig, then I will either go baby Jeep, or :sawzall: a FSJ until I can fit 35s under it. Low and wide is the only way to go in my opinion.

It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you don't want. Tall and tippy. You can do a lot with a little bit of lift and the right tires for your terrain. My wife climbs some things in her TJ with open axles and a 2" budget boost that other people have trouble with.

Now, if I were lifting a Cherokee, I definitely would consider a 4" on widetrack axles.

[mattmopar440]

matt likes BFG's....don't you matt?
YES MIKE I DO

Duelers suck :thumbsdown:

BFG Mud-Terrains RULE:thumbsup:

4" w/ 31" BFGs - 'cause they're better than Bridgestones. X10


Lets see what mike said in the past about BFG's
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f318/milltownmike/P1090490.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f318/milltownmike/P1090491.jpg

33-10.5-15 BFG M/Ts'

couldn't handle those awful Dunlop Rover ATs' anymore.garbage. usually buy Bridgestone,but they don't go bigger than 31" on a 15" rim.


got these from The Tirerack. that online place,but had a driver grab them for me in S.bend IN. so no shipping charges.154.00 each. put 'em on this morning at the shop.

surprisingly quiet and smooth.

[tkiller13]

If you got the cash Annie, I would go with the skyjacker lift. Most expensive put a good ride. Ive never ridden in a fsj with a skyjacker lift but the baby jeeps ride good.

[TPICherokee]

If you got the cash Annie, I would go with the skyjacker lift. Most expensive put a good ride. Ive never ridden in a fsj with a skyjacker lift but the baby jeeps ride good.

I have and I wasn't too terribly impressed. It was an ok ride but when the owner swapped it out for one of our lifts (4") he was a lot happier with the ride than he was with his skyjacker.

[Dirtball]

I'd go 6 inch and never look back...

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g101/Bham_old_fart/100_1431.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g101/Bham_old_fart/100_1387-2.jpg

[HD_JEEP]

I'd go 6 inch and never look back...

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g101/Bham_old_fart/100_1431.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g101/Bham_old_fart/100_1387-2.jpg

I am convinced. You have sold me....

Did you have to change your driveshafts?

[mattmopar440]

I am convinced. You have sold me....

Did you have to change your driveshafts?

No just a DP arm brakelines and sway bars and your ready

[Ristow]

Lets see what mike said in the past about BFG's


yah. i've had both BFG styles,and Bridgestones too.so i know what i'm talking about.. i gots street cred.:lol:

notice about the BFG's i said...


usually buy Bridgestone,but they don't go bigger than 31" on a 15" rim.



the Bridgestones are by far the best for inclement weather travel. the REVOs' stand out ahead of the regular a/t's.

[mattmopar440]

i know what i'm talking about.. i gots street cred.:lol:

Well of coarse mike your the only on who lives on your street I mean have you seen you yard lately :D

[Casey]

:zzz:


i saw it had BFG's on it.:D
No it didn't, it had white wall 235s and a Tad rack in the pics I sent you. :p

How many Baja races has Bridgestone won?

I'm just sayin'. ;)


I think for my purposes 6" is a little much-I'm not into crawling rocks-but I would like to get more clearance...I'm a desert ratt and spend a lot of time in areas with bad roads, some fairly steep hills, etc.

IMHO, 4" is plenty of lift for this application.

[Dirtball]

I am convinced. You have sold me....

Did you have to change your driveshafts?

Matt already handled this one... I've had no driveshaft issues. I don't know if you'll have exhaust worries... you have to have some exhaust work done on passenger drop models like mine; yours is driver drop so I don't know.

[AlsChopShop]

4" will look and work well for you annie. i wouldn't bother with the 2" lift.

Al

[snoopy]

Perhaps a little visualization would help. Go outside with a tape measure and measure 4" up from your wheel wells, step back and look at it and ask yourself if it's too much. Or drive up onto a 4x4 front and rear and step back and look at it, I know 4x4's are really 3 1/2x 3 1/2 but you get the idea. Decide if the step up is comfortable and does it look like it will be stable at that height?

[Ristow]

No it didn't, it had white wall 235s and a Tad rack in the pics I sent you. :p


hey...you got a good memory for an old man!:hide: i shoulda bought that one. perfect color combo.


How many Baja races has Bridgestone won?

i never said nuthin about off roadin'. i said best for inclement weather driving. ;)

BFG's are certainly a premium tire. i even gotta admit i luerfgjgh.....cough......leeerk.....ahem.....LIKE my BFG M/T's.:o

but for winter driving if a skinny 15R 33" REVO were available,they'd be on the cherokee.

[fulsizjeep]

usually buy Bridgestone,but they don't go bigger than 31" on a 15" rim. When I lifted my GW in 98, I put a set of 32x11.5x15 Duelers on it. I guess they don't make 'em that size any more. Those were some long lasting tires! We probably got about 65000 miles out of them between two FSJs and now we still have 3 for spares. I thought they were great tires.

When we lifted Krista's 77 in 02, it was 2" AAL and fit 31s OK. The next year I changed it to 5" with some parts from a Rancho kit. Mucho Bueno.

[Casey]

Now that we completely hijacked the thread... :P

Yeah, I like a Bridgestone. I had the Dueler m/ts on my crew cab Chevy. It is a really great tire. They lasted 50k. 'Bout 5k longer than my BFG m/ts did.




but for winter driving if a skinny 15R 33" REVO were available,they'd be on the cherokee.
Seriuosly, for snow driving, the BFG a/t in a 33x9.5 is an awesome tire!
I had them on a Chevy p-u years ago and was very impressed with them.

War Wagon runs 9.5s off-road with great success.

[J.J.]

Only one person likes the 2" lift. I may have to rethink my plans.

[Dirtball]

A 2" would make it look basically stock... 30" tires or so... most people, including you, wouldn't really be able to tell you even had a lift.

[J.J.]

I've seen several people running 31's with a 2" lift with no problems.

[Dirtball]

I've seen several people running 31's with a 2" lift with no problems.

LOL... 30" OR SO would seem to encompass 31s (which, truth be told, were probably around 30 inches as most of them are), but have it your way...

[J.J.]

LOL... 30" OR SO would seem to encompass 31s (which, truth be told, were probably around 30 inches as most of them are), but have it your way...

Touche! :)

[slackin']

fyi, if you can't decide between a 2" and 4"...
Hell Creek offers a 3" lift. :thumbsup:

[bushwood44]

Maybe go with a 1in body lift:D

[mattmopar440]

Maybe go with a 1in body lift:D

Mattmopar440 slaps Bushwood44 very a large FROZEN trout

[Tejasol]

http://gfsj.org/forums/showthread.php?t=4367

I drove Steve's rig for a couple of days straight while he built my awesome sliders. He is running a BJ's 4" lift with Mickey Thompson Baja MTZs. They are 31X10.5. His tires rub. I didn't feel any real difference between his rig and mine other than climbing in and out. That tells me that if you are leaning towards a 4" lift, go for it.

I am beginning to wheel mine more and more. I personally don't want an extra two inches of height if I can fit the same size tire. I am running 31X10.5 Mickey Thompson Baja Claws and I don't rub until I air town for the trail, and it is only on the springs at full turn. I climbed some steep trails at Choccolocco Mountain this weekend and felt very secure. The nose did get floaty on the two steepest climbs and I'm pretty sure that is my limit. I didn't notice, but my buddy said the carb(2150) was starting to sputter.

Have fun with whatever height you choose! I just want folks to know that you can run the same size tires without the additional height.
:fsj:

[Shaggin' Wagon]

Hell, I'm looking at the 2" lift as well. Family rig. Besides, with the sag I have now it will feel like 4+.

[Sian09]

I'm convinced on BJ's 4" lift for my cherokee. Will add BJ's 1" body lift to that and should be happy!

[joker7037]

Diggin deep for this tread. I am curious as the tire fitment for the Bj's 4" lift. I have a set of BFG AT/KO 285/70r/17 and wanted to know if I can fit these with the 4" kit. The BFG site states these tires are 32.7" tall. Most people are saying 31" is as tall as you can go with 4". I the extra 1.7" really a big deal? I do not want togo more than 4". I have 6" on my Tundra and don't need it on my GW. FYI 1986 Grand Wagoneer.

Thanks, CR

[Gadzooks2]

I ran 33x12.50 15's for years w/4" lift and no issues. Have now gone to 35's and removed front inner fenderwells. Again no issues.
As for tires, Bridgestone will give you the best ride (better quality control and more round than most) Otherwise BFG or Goodyear are excellent. Have raced on both for years.

[joker7037]

I already have the BFG's just need to make sure they will fit.

[billyrb]

I ran 33x12.50 15's for years w/4" lift and no issues. Have now gone to 35's and removed front inner fenderwells. Again no issues

This can depend on if you have a WT or an NT. NT's will rub with that combo, WT's won't.

[joker7037]

This can depend on if you have a WT or an NT. NT's will rub with that combo, WT's won't.

How can i tell what I have?

[Gadzooks2]

You will have factory fender flares. I don't think there were any wagoneers made with WT housings and only cherokee chiefs and J-series would have had the wider ones. Just an educated guess.

And Billyrb is right, 33's will likely rub without wide housings and flared fenders with a 4" lift.