Weighing cost/benefit of more lift on my XJ?

[Hubbazoot]

So I just checked my mail and I found a $150 grad present from my folks down in AZ.... good stuff.

As it turns out, I just priced how much a 4" lift would cost me to install on my XJ (This is a dangerous pricing... I "assume" all will go to plan and I'm not missing something.) and guess what? It runs about $150 to do the lift.

My ol' 2" AAL is sagging in back so I figure it's time for a fix for that... but while I'm there why not upgrade it?

SOOO.... To lift or not to lift?

I know most everyone here knows the benefits of lifts, so I'll just list what I plan to include with this lift and also my forseen cons:

Plans:
- Run full shocks all around for it and extend my brake lines
- Use old rear swaybar bushings for BPE's front and back.

Cons:
- Potential driveshaft issues arising in the future? More money than I really want to spend?
- I could spend that $150 towards getting my XJ painted all one color (See link: http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c221/korinthan/Jeep/paintprototypebase.jpg)


Okay, so that said.... anyone want to help guide my decision making process here?

[YELLAHEEP]

A 4" lift for $150? What does "this is a dangerous pricing" mean?

What are you smokin'? :greensmok Unless you're gonna stack a set of 2" coil spacers to make 4" and put 4" lift blocks on the rear...... how do you figure you can lift your rig for $150?

Why would you "need" to do BPE's?

[Hubbazoot]

A 4" lift for $150? What does "this is a dangerous pricing" mean?

What are you smokin'? :greensmok Unless you're gonna stack a set of 2" coil spacers to make 4" and put 4" lift blocks on the rear...... how do you figure you can lift your rig for $150?

Why would you "need" to do BPE's?

1. I'm assuming everything goes right during the installation and that I don't create any more problems (The supreme XJ law: no project is ever "straightforward."

2. I already priced it out: http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Suspension_Steering_Axles_and_Brakes/Budget_Lift.htm

3. For #2

[ColoradoRaptor]

1. I'm assuming everything goes right during the installation and that I don't create any more problems (The supreme XJ law: no project is ever "straightforward."

2. I already priced it out: http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Suspension_Steering_Axles_and_Brakes/Budget_Lift.htm

3. For #2

Interesting!!!

[Hubbazoot]

Interesting!!!
Any words of advice on the lift/paint job?

[ColoradoRaptor]

Any words of advice on the lift/paint job?

Ok, you asked for it!! Paint is for posers, if you actually use your jeep to wheel in, then forget about the paint!!

LIFT IT!!! Lift allows larger tires and larger tires increase clearance under your axles............... better wheelin!! With tires comes the need for gears and then lockers and then............... well Just Empty Every Pocket!!! :gee:

[Hubbazoot]

Ok, you asked for it!! Paint is for posers, if you actually use your jeep to wheel in, then forget about the paint!!

LIFT IT!!! Lift allows larger tires and larger tires increase clearance under your axles............... better wheelin!! With tires comes the need for gears and then lockers and then............... well Just Empty Every Pocket!!! :gee:

I'm already running a locker in the rear and 30" tires. If I did the lift, it would just be for the flex, clearance, and looks. Although it is looking more and more like a question of which I'll do FIRST over which one I do at all. Jeeps are dangerous to attempting to save cash.

I think I'll try and do the lift first since I'll be at the yard pulling a manifold anyway :gee:

[YELLAHEEP]

Man, I'd completely forgotten about that website and the junkyard lift.

Definitely a cheap alternative, but the ride has got to suck and the UCA/LCA angles are gonna be steep and will really wear on the rubber bushings. I imagine alignment is going to be a big issue with the stock track bar pulling the axle over and the control arms not being slightly longer like the lift kits make 'em........

I'd keep an eye out on Craigs, here or CO4x4 for some actual XJ lift coils before going the F150 coil route.

[Hubbazoot]

Man, I'd completely forgotten about that website and the junkyard lift.

Definitely a cheap alternative, but the ride has got to suck and the UCA/LCA angles are gonna be steep and will really wear on the rubber bushings. I imagine alignment is going to be a big issue with the stock track bar pulling the axle over and the control arms not being slightly longer like the lift kits make 'em........

I'd keep an eye out on Craigs, here or CO4x4 for some actual XJ lift coils before going the F150 coil route.

I plan on using grand Cherokee coils in front to help a little bit and, trust me, the ride is pretty stiff as is. I may end up haggling with rough country on the pricing of their 4" lift if I can get it without rear springs and use the junkyard rear springs. Their kit comes with replacement LCA's. As for the track bar, I'll probably see if I can get some welding help on it... We'll see. Nothing set in stone yet. I'm still feeling this option out vs. Just fixing the sag in my 2". To help reduce some of the stress, I may try to aim the final lift height on being closer to 3" than 4".

[RidgeRunnerXJ]

I would definately go for new LCAs. You won't get much, if any, down travel on the front axle with 4" lift and stock LCAs. Not to mention your caster angles are gonna suck.

Also look into an adjustable trac bar. The stock one was not built to opperate at the angles of a 4" lift. It might be OK on the street but won't handle the movement of flexing on the trail. It's also gonna pull your front axle way to the drivers side since you can't make it longer to account for the lift.

You don't really need BPEs, I'm at 5.5-6" lift and don't use any. You can get shocks that will work.

I ran a 2.5" BB (factory Up Country springs w/ a spacer and AAL) with an adjustable tracbar on 31s for a while before I went bigger and it worked pretty well. You run into alot of money when you go above 4-4.5"....SYE, brake lines, control arms, exc.

[.40CalPatriot]

I should have my new lift on before the end of summer and if Navy doesnt take it you could have my old lift for $100. Includes rear bastard packs LCA's and front coils. Depending on your setup now all you would need to finish is some coil spacers and maybe some shackles.

[Hubbazoot]

I'm thinking of trying to shoot for about 3.5"-4" to avoid the geometry problems. This is still a ways down the road, I have some catching up to do for maintenance on the old heep.

[Hypoid]

Stay with the softer springs. You could always do the Rock Lizzard boost with the leafs to get back what you lost: http://www.rocklizardfabrications.com/home_brew_budget_boost.htm

We did my bud's last fall, he's loaded up gear and pulled a small trailer without any problem. He sold the evil blocks to someone else. :firedevil

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Misc%20stuff/ALL_CATCH177.jpg

[Hypoid]

I think I'll try and do the lift first since I'll be at the yard pulling a manifold anyway :gee:
I saw a pair of Rancho coils at the U-pull yard in Denver. I know they were Rancho because they were red and there was one odd looking LCA left on the axle.

http://denver.upullandpay.com/

[DutchVDub]

The trackbar isn't really an issue. On my RC 4.5" lift they just said in the instructions to redrill the lower mounting hole over a small amount. I was wary of it but it held up with all the abuse I put my jeep through that season.

Frack paint, go get some rattle cans andmake it flat green. :D

If you clear your 30's now I'd leave the lift. It'll just raise your center of gravity. If you are going to be going to bigger tires then do the lift. You also could just trim your fenders too. Speaking from experience you want the least amount of lift possible to clear your tires.

[Stang5lgt]

I just put a set of V8 ZJ springs on the TJ and gave me about 3 inches rides real nice. Better then Rough Country springs I used have. The U Pull and Pay in Aurora has one more set of V8 springs. And they had a pile of Dakotas sitting there. If you wanna go let me know. I can always find something to use there. I will give you a hand pulling the springs. My cordless sawzall makes short work of the job.

[Hubbazoot]

I just put a set of V8 ZJ springs on the TJ and gave me about 3 inches rides real nice. Better then Rough Country springs I used have. The U Pull and Pay in Aurora has one more set of V8 springs. And they had a pile of Dakotas sitting there. If you wanna go let me know. I can always find something to use there. I will give you a hand pulling the springs. My cordless sawzall makes short work of the job.
I forgot I have some springs for a 2" lift in my jeep already so I just plan on putting in a spacer up front and then doing dakota leaves in back.

As for that sawzall, I could use some help from you this sunday if you're free. You're talking the u-pull at 64th and broadway, correct?

[Hypoid]

http://www.upullandpay.com/Locations.aspx

[Hubbazoot]

I talked to a guy on clist and he's going to be able to set me up with a 2" spacer and front shocks as well as lca's

With a spacer in front, am I going to max out my 2" lift springs?

[Hypoid]

I talked to a guy on clist and he's going to be able to set me up with a 2" spacer and front shocks as well as lca's

With a spacer in front, am I going to max out my 2" lift springs?
???

A 2" spring with a 2" spacer makes for 4" lift. Are the shocks for a 4" lift, or a 2" lift?

BTW, how did the hunt for an exhaust manifold turn out?

[Hubbazoot]

???

A 2" spring with a 2" spacer makes for 4" lift. Are the shocks for a 4" lift, or a 2" lift?

BTW, how did the hunt for an exhaust manifold turn out?

The shocks are for a 4" lift. All I need to get (assuming this deal works out) is the rear shocks and springs and work out something for the track bar. I have a tcase drop and longer brakelines as part of this deal.

[Hypoid]

Yeah, you just missed the JKS TB in the classifieds.

Brake lines and cables are still on my to-do list.

Finally scoring the adjustable track bar will let me work on re-inforcing the frame. After that is done, I can work on a number of projects depending on the cash in hand.

[Hubbazoot]

BTW, how did the hunt for an exhaust manifold turn out?

Success. Hopefully hitting the snag taking the salvage one out at the junkyard was the "one thing that never goes right" during a big project like this.

Thanks for the advice on the lift guys, here's what I have lined up so far:

Have a source, but not yet ready:
-Front 2" spacer
-Front shocks
-Front brakelines
-Front LCA's
-T Case Drop
-Rear Dakota Leaves
-Rear Shocks
Ready:
-Rear brake line extender
-Track bar relocation


Slow progress, but progress.