What lift?

Hi all, it's me Michael the noob.

What is the diff between a body lift, a suspension lift and a spacer kit?

What can I do on the cheap? Just want something to get me started while I save up.

Thanks

Michael

What is your ultimate plan? I'd go with a a BB, maybe and BL & MML and flat belly it.

a body lift lifts the body off the frame...............never exceed a 1" body lift unless you want to be ridiculed and labeled a mall crawler...........it also does nothing to improve the vehicles offroad prowess....it solely allows bigger tyres to be fitted


a suspension lift raises the frame(and body) relative to the axles..........a well designed suspension lift will allow more articulation and allow the tyres to follow the terain better.....

a spacer kit is a type of suspension kit that acts kind of like a body lift, puck go between the frame and springs effectivly raising the vehicle.......they allow bigger tire but generally do not give you much other advantages




all that being said...........a 2.5 suspension kit is as much as i would ever recomend anyone going on a tj.......the short arms are a serious problem after that, and i wouldent run a short arm 4" kit even though many do and someone on here will say its a good idea.......go out on the trail and watch that 4" short arm kit bounce ............

what size tire you gunna run?

you can run 35"s with a stock suspension with the right armor and fenders, and most of the time you will do great off road

if i was building a tj it would be something like this

genright strech kit and highline kit......a 1" body lift .....a drivetrain lift and flat belly..........factory springs, longer aftermarket shocks(relocated hangers) and some quality arms............or a 2.5 long arm kit...........and 37in iroks...........add some axle upgrades and lockers.......be unstopable


but thats just me

just a redneck playing with jeeps back in the woods

terrahawk wrote:

What is your ultimate plan? I'd go with a a BB, maybe and BL & MML and flat belly it.

Jody damn- use english for him!

Body lift- relatively inexpensive. It literally is raising the body up. The frame remains at the same height. So the only real advantage is gives room for bigger tires, but does not give you an added clearance for off road.

Spacer lift- AKA: Budget boost (BB). This is just putting spacers above the coils, and adding shock extentions. This raises everything except the axel. Basically accomplishes the same thing as a suspension lift for cheaper price. But does not provide added articulation that a suspension lift does. Plus there is a limit to how much lift you can actually get from it. If you're just looking for something quick and cheap, this is the choice of most.

Suspension lift- taller coils and longer shocks or shock extensions. This is the more expensive of the 3 due to the amount of components replacing. But it is also the best way to go as it gives added articulation. You can pretty much lift as high as your wallet can afford- the higher you go, the more components you need to replace, and the more expensive the components are.

You can also do combinations of the 3- for example I am running a 2.5" suspension lift, with 3/4" spacers added, and a 2" body lift. And there are reasons for me doing this. The 2.5" suspension lift was to fit 35" tires and have good articulation off road. I added heavier bumpers front and rear, so I added the 3/4" spacers to compensate for the droop that weight added. My 35" tires rubbed my fenders when fully stuffed while wheeling, so I added the body lift in order to lift my fenders up higher to prevent the rubbing.

FWIW- I originally started with just a 2.5" budget boost and 32" tires. And then the addiction took hold and everything progressed from there.

redneckhouston wrote:

a body lift lifts the body off the frame...............never exceed a 1" body lift unless you want to be ridiculed and labeled a mall crawler

Thanks so much guys.

Any recommendations on a "Spacer lift- AKA: Budget boost (BB)"?
and where to get it?

How hard is it to put in? Would anyone be interested in helping me put it in?

TheBigOnion wrote:

What can I do on the cheap? Just want something to get me started while I save up.

I knew that those who could explain it better would show up and do a good job......


now - my .02 - do your homework, decide what you want to do - even if it means wheeling it like it is for a while - save your $$ and do it right the first time. I didn't know shit about shit when I bought mine except for the fact that I did not like the look of the little tires on it and I wanted 35s.. that is about the extent of my research. Little did I know that I would be ate the F up with wheeling and crawling.......

Fast forward one year and I am still a noob but I know that I would have spent my money a little wiser if given the chance to start over. You are already ahead of me - asking questions before you get out of the gate.

And I like Redneck's TJ build option..... but that's just me.

Ok, so i'm shopping around today. Here is my situation:

This jeep is for my son when he turns 16. I want to spend most of my $$$ on paying it off so I can get myself something when I give it to him. After that, he can get a job and put as much into it as he wishes. But for now I want to do a few things to it so we can enjoy it for now.

That said, I would like to take off my 31's and put on some 33 inch tires. To that end, I will probably just put a budget boost on for now and need to know what size and brand? I was thinking for a 2 inch bb.

Please let me know what I should do.

Should I try to buy the shocks separate? Should I try to buy a used bb?

Look at this site.

http://roughcountry.com/jeep_tj_suspension_lift_kits.html

There is a 2" spacer kit (BB) for 109.95 if you add in shocks it is $199
There is a 2.5" suspension lift with springs and shocks for $299.

Both are relatively cheap, so it depends on your wallet. Extra $100 you get a little taller lift and the jeep will actually flex better. The install is about the same.

Will my wheels look funny? I currently have 31", but would like to go to 33"

33s on a tj will look good. if you can get the suspension lift above for $300 with shocks, that's the way to go. then, save up for pizza and we can have an install party to take care of that lift for you (but you will be getting your hands dirty too).

TheBigOnion wrote:

Will my wheels look funny? I currently have 31", but would like to go to 33"

I only have the JK so I can't comment for the TJ. But after I installed at 2.5" lift on my jeep it looked the way it should have come from the factory.

TheBigOnion wrote:

Ok, so i'm shopping around today. Here is my situation:


Please let me know what I should do.

buy this





and this











thank me later

redneckhouston wrote:

TheBigOnion wrote:

Ok, so i'm shopping around today. Here is my situation:


Please let me know what I should do.

buy this





and this











thank me later

.. lets break him in a little slower..

i think the 2.5 " suspension 1" body and 33's will do ya fine UNTIL you figure out what you wanna do...

TheBigOnion wrote:

Thanks so much guys.

Any recommendations on a "Spacer lift- AKA: Budget boost (BB)"?
and where to get it?

How hard is it to put in? Would anyone be interested in helping me put it in?

Whatever you get post up. We will get together and put it in with/for you.

redneckhouston wrote:

TheBigOnion wrote:

Ok, so i'm shopping around today. Here is my situation:


Please let me know what I should do.

buy this





and this











thank me later

ok...what are those (for)?

Heh, the sawzall is for cutting away body panels and such, and the Aussie is a ratcheting auto-locker.

TheBigOnion wrote:

ok...what are those (for)?

THOSE are things YOU don't need or WANT for the jeep. But they ARE things your son will probably get us to help him with AFTER you've given the jeep over to him.

Don't worry, the first cut is hardest

jkx0778 wrote:

TheBigOnion wrote:

ok...what are those (for)?

THOSE are things YOU don't need or WANT for the jeep. But they ARE things your son will probably get us to help him with AFTER you've given the jeep over to him.

Don't worry, the first cut is hardest

It feels so good though...... ask Jody....
I know there were some shots of him cutting these out... just can't locate them. This one will do: