Family Wagon Lift Question

[MoppTopp]

I recenlty purchased a '79 Wagoneer and need a little advice on the lift. I know this topic gets thrown around alot, so please bear with me.

Here are my goals for this vehicle. I'd like to be able to tow with this, drive my family around in it, run it in the dunes, look nice enough that my wife isn't embarrassed to ride in it, and be safe on the highway.

The vehicle came with a 3" body lift. I'd like to put a suspension lift on it, but I don't want this so high that my kids can't crawl into it. I think I'd like to have at least 33" in tires on this, but I'm not a 100% sure. I do like big tires.

Should I keep the body lift and add the 4" suspension?
Should I scrap the body lift and just go with a suspension lift?
Should I keep the body lift and think about a small suspension lift?
Am I crazy to think about putting 33"-35" tires on this family vehicle?
Any other thoughts?

Has anyone else done something similar to this with their fsj?

[aerocorey]

You're not going to be able to run 33" tires and keep it low enough to tow without some fender trimming. A W/T Chero or a J-Truck would be the rig of choice if you like big meaty tires. I'm running 4" springs and rub in the front with 32" tires. I was running 33" BFG ATs and rubbed like crazy at all 4 corners. You can't tell a difference at 10' away between Herc when she was running 33" and now that she's wearing 32". If I lifted more I might still rub in the front with 32" tires. That is at full flex with the swaybar disco'd. The trimming required up front to clear 32" tires is minimal, only a few inches of useless sheet metal down low at the front of the wheel opening where it won't draw attention. At 4" of lift she's capable off road and still has respectable highway manners. I'm running trac bars front and rear as well to help with that, but it's not nessecary. I've towed another Wag on a trailer down back roads for about 10 miles and the empty trailer on the interstate with no issues. I plan to pull a moving trailer across the US this winter. My wife loves the look, she drives Herc all the time when I'm not around, we use her for road trips, wheeling and camping.

You are currently running a body lift which gives you more tire clearance but leaves your center of gravity lower which is beneficial for safe towing. I would add a 2" spring lift to your body lift, slap on some 32" tires and call it a done deal. With 2" of spring and 3" of body lift you will have more tire clearance than me and still have a lower relative center of gravity. You'll have the same ground clearance at the axle if you run 32" tires but your frame will be 2" lower while your body will be an inch taller. You probably still won't be able to run 33" tires without a fair amount of massaging to the fenders, but if you want 'em go for it.

Or you could leave it at 3" of body lift and roll the dice with 32" tires. If that doesn't work you can see how 31" looks. Spend that money on lockers or a 208 or a safari rack. You'll be even lower for towing and still be capable off road.

[Dirtball]

I'd put on some fat 31s and call it good just like it is. If they rub a little add a 2 inch spring lift. Tall trucks and towing don't go together very well. Plus, for your family, how are they going to get in if you make it really tall? I just put on a 6 inch lift, and my wife, at 5-2, can barely get in it with the stock tires. When I put my 34s on it it'll be another 3.5 inches over what it is now. I'll have to put on some steps or put her in it... lol... 31s look GREAT on Waggys, too. Look in the Reader's Rigs section for pics, or post a request for pics of Waggys with 31s.

[Mack_T]

Here's my family wagon, with 2" AAL lift & 31's:



Soon I think I'm going to be doing the Rough Country all spring 3" lift. I get some slight but nasty rubbing in the rear on flexing. The lip just digs right into the edge of my BFG AT's. Either that or a bumpstop extension would work too. Right now, it's still low enough to tow and I don't think the added inch I'll have later will hurt that at all.

Good luck,
Clay

[MoppTopp]

Thanks for the good info.

So if I decide to scrap the idea of towing with this vehicle and really just make it the family off roading vehicle, do I have to worry much about the safety of the vehicle on the highway if I put the 4" suspension lift on? I really do like the look of a vehicle sitting up high on big tires, but don't want to compromise the safety of my family either.

[mattmopar440]

lift

i bought a bjs offroad 4'' supention lift its perfect
don't buy the rancho if you want a smooth ride

[Dirtball]

If it's going to be offroad only then go with the tallest lift and the biggest tires... 6 inch lift and 33x12.50s on 8 or 10 inch wheels. It'll be taller but also a little wider and it'll look awesome.

[HeyNels]

I have a 6" lift with 35's and my kids absolutely love climbing in and out of it. It's like an adventure for them. My wife wouldn't set foot in it even before the lift. She doesn't like the trashed oily-smelling interior and won't be seen in it with it's paint-job.

[fulsizjeep]

I drove my 88 stock for 3 years, then went to a 4" suspension lift & 32x11.5 on stock rims. That was a pretty good boost right there. I put nerf bars on it for the kids to use as a step and then sold them after I moved out west. Since you asked, I would ditch the body lift and go 4 or 6" suspension lift. Even with 6", you are gonna be pressed to get 33x12.5 tires under there without some rubbing while off road. 33x10.5 tires will work pretty good though. If you are after 35s, your axle gears ar going to suck even if you have 3.54 gears. A lot of 79 Wags have 3.07 though.

[Dirtball]

I just put a 6 inch Hell Creek lift on my 79 Cherokee NT, which is just like your Waggy. I went with the 6 inch because I didn't want to have regrets about not going with the biggest standard lift. I'm going to run 34x10.50s Swamper LTBs, which won't be great on the road; however, I got all four of them SHIPPED from 4WheelParts for $545. I'll hopefully have pics this afternoon and have them on the site tonite. I'm hoping that I won't have to trim; if I do, it will be minimal. I just wanted to get it up in the air as much as possible. My wife and daughter are stoked.

[MoppTopp]

Will a 6" suspension lift, in addition to the existing 3" body lift be safe for highway driving and corners? And once you go to 6" of suspension, doesn't the ride quality start to suffer?

[Dirtball]

Yeah, I forgot about the body lift... IF you want to keep it, go with a three or four inch lift and 33s...

The ride quality is "to each his own"...

[Shaggin' Wagon]

I'd scrap the body lift and put a nice 4" suspension lift on. Plenty for what you require and easy for the family.

[DieselSJ]

I'd scrap the body lift and put a nice 4" suspension lift on. Plenty for what you require and easy for the family.

What he said. That with 31" tires will give you exactly what you are looking for.