ZJ Suspension lift options

[Smurf]

Like a few others on here I have recently purchased a ZJ Grand Cherokee.
So who has done what? and why?
I already own a set of 33" tyres and a set of 35s. I know the 35 aren't going to fit without a HEAP of $$$ being spent and I still have my Surf to run them on.
So what are the options to get the 33s to fit.
I have been searching kits on the net and I think I need a minimum of 4" of lift to get them on.
I like the look of the kits linked to below but not sure if there is a cheaper option, I am wondering if a smaller lift kit, ie 3-3.5" kit plus 1-2" coil spacers would work, or would this compromise flex too much?

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant ... y_Code=ZLK

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_zj_4-900.html

The Rustys kits look good too but appear to bemore expensive,

http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.m ... sus_zj_kit

[churchill]

Those Long arm kits look like they would preform well, heaps of articulation and easy to fit.

[yeti]

have a yarn with rick 033651909..he will have some ideas on whats a good lift for the zj...I'm running rugged ridge on the xj..cant fault the lift ......out of the links you got, rough country looks good....my lift is a 3" but still got the 33s on ,, just got f all guards left.....


mark ( xj ) will have a few ideas as well,, hes just doing a zj at the moment........

[coop]

How much can ya spend? Is it a daily or will you only be driving it to/from the tracks?
That iron rock kit 4.5" looks good but you'll wanna add the upper and lower control arms for $500. You could probably get away with that kit and 1" spacers for 5.5".

I bought this kit for mine, which is good for a mild off roader. Front tyres (31x10.5) rub when turning under articulation (not a major most of the time), driveshafts vibrate bad (need the upper adjustable control arms as transfer case drop kit isn't enough). As I said in another thread if I could turn back time I'd probably go for something like the iron rock you posted for an extra grand or so.
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_zj_3.html

The yanks seem to love the long arm kits. I reckon your best bet will be to surf their forums as there is a shitload of info on each kit by guys who run them. Just make sure you get a quote on shipping before you buy as this will come close to the purchase price.
Even that 5.5" long arm kit will probably be under 3 grand landed. At the end of the day you'll still have a cheap and farkin capable 4wd.

[Smurf]

Coop, it's a daily, I don't need a super flexy monster. I figure its cheaper to go higher and use my tyres rather than do a 3.5" lift and then have to buy a set of 31" tyres.
I don't think I need to go for a long arm kit, looks cool, but beyond what we will use the jeep for.

Been reading through heaps of US sites and there is a bit of conflicting info. Some sites state you can only run 31" tyres on a 4 inch lift, other say 33" fit. Just need to read slower to get my head round it all.
I'll be getting in touch with Rick at 4WD ACC soon to get his Point of view.
cheers

[KIWI_TERRANO]

Sounds like you sound have brought another surf

Rick will sort you out with info he knows jeeps very well,

I think the long arm kits are a good investment from what I have heard as the factory lenght are sh*t

[Smurf]

Sounds like you sound have brought another surf

Yeah but you can only go so far with IFS, been there done that. Still have solid axle surf to play in, that might see a cert one day too..

[xj]

Ive a 4.5 inch ironrock lift, adjustable everything with 33's on 8" rims. Tyres still jam up into the rear guard on full compression (nothing that some longer bumpstops wont cure of course, just cant seem to locate rears... not that Ive looked too hard either though) and the front when disconnected jams up too.

I noticed the other day that I need to adjust the rear diff forward ever so slightly, or rotate my rear pinion back down, the top diff cover bolt is chewing into the track bar

Nothing wrong with the LA kits, bit of work in fitting everything in, drilling holes etc. Nothing wrong with the standard kits either though. Just get 8 adjustable arms and both front and rear adjustable track bars to suit RH drive, dont get the brackets, cause theyre still "side-centric" and the US track bars on the LH drive dont fit.

Again, just my opinion, but the ironrock kit posted is pretty much a waste of time. Get the CA's, shocks and springs off them say, and contact wooders garage in Aussie for the trackbars (or even try SAS in Auckland) and make your own transfer case drop out of a couple of pieces of 50mm x 25mm box or similar. Simply the "kits" dont provide you with what youre going to need here. The $$ may make you say "oh yeah thats an awesome price" until you get the "kit" and find that half of it you cant use, and half of what you need to make it work properly (adj CA's) arent there.

I dont see the sense in getting a smaller lift and then adding coil spacers, you achieve nothing. IMO coil spacers should only be used to adjust heights after springs have settled, ie 5mm 10mm ones etc to suit.

As stated above... Rick will have some solid commentary.

[Smurf]

Hey cheers for that XJ.
I was going to hit you up about your lift.
I appreciate the info, and what you say makes good sense.
Now to talk to rick.