"To lift or not to lift". how high is the question

[russty]

hi guys and gals. I have a 97 jeep wrangler and im thinking of lifting it. I do a couple of shinny trips a year and a few trips up the local tracks and was wondering if a 50 mm lift would be enuf or should i go more. I have a ARB bar on the front (with winch) and im making a bar and tyre carrier for the back which adds a bit of weight.
I was wondering if there is any TJ owners out there that have lifts , and to get some advice

Also, I broke my sway bar rosejoint a while ago , so replaced it with some disconects. I forgot to check the bolts after a few kms and one came loose and fell out. well that will teach me for being lazy( opps i mean forgetfull) .
look foward to hearing your thoughts.
cheers

[TJ]

TJ owners with lift and modifications, let me think. Plenty.

Welcome to the board. Lifting it 50mm would probably be the easiest way to get bigger tyres on. If you go any higher, you will have to be prepared to do all consequential changes to control arms and SYE as well.

50mm should allow you to run 31/32 inch tyres easily.

[TJ]

Remember to post a photo of your pride and joy.

[russty]

hi .thanks for that. I already run 31`s and dont think ill go bigger. She startin to sag a bit on the rhs which gives me suspicions that things might be gettin tired in the suspension department. So it sounds like a good time to go higher. Would also keep my dented fuel tank a bit more out of harms way.I need all the fuel i can get.(he he)

[TJ]

Are you on factory springs? They would definitely be getting tired by now after 15 years. Right suffers more because of how TJ engine rotates and applies torque. At 50mm, Old Man Emu springs and shocks can be a good option.

[00falcon]

Hi Russty.

I'm in the same boat.

I have (7 months now) just got my self a '99 Wrangler.

This isn't my daily driver, but i still want it to be polite on the road.

Im looking at getting a second set of 32" Simex to 'compliment' my current 31" ATs.

I have read a whole heap, and have opted for a Rough Country 2.5" lift with Upper & Lower control arms.
This way, (as TJ mentioned) i kinda get away with needing an SYE, well for the time being anyway.

I'm bringing the kit in from the states as we speak.
Shipping is usually the killer, but i managed to get the lot in for $1700 NZ (Kit + Shipping + Tax + Customs Charges etc)

Will let ya know how it goes.
Here early October, so fingers crossed.

P.s. where abouts are you...?

[Crash bandicoot]

49 mm lift, that way there is no cert requirement.

[russty]

Hi again. thanks for the info
im in Waihou in the waikato.

You guys mentioned a SYE. is that like a low volume cert . dont know much about those things , but have been told id get away with 2" suspesion lift and a 1" body lift without needing one, but a article in the NZ4wd mag stated that any suspension lift needed a cert.perhaps i should read it again.
I got a price from ARB a while ago for a 2" lift.I think it was around $2200
fitted . might be time to give the money tree a shake

i`m also making a new rear bumper with tyre carrier. Its amazing how all those small bits of steel add up to quite a bit of weight. It will have my highlift and spade mounted on it which will free up a bit of room inside for a bigger chillybin.

[00falcon]

SYE = Slip Yoke Eliminator
Along with a new drive shaft, will help deal with the angles from the transfer case generated from the lift.

LVV Cert.
I've heard both sides of the story...
from... nar bro, you'll be sweet. to Oh, you must get one...

But from what i understand, if you touch the body mounts, there is no 2 ways about it... you will need one.

So... in my book, I'll be getting one.

The ARB 2" lift is meant to be the best on road riding, but is only springs and shocks. and still uses the flimsy stock control arms.

The Rough Country kit is supposedly a little harsher, but has 8 heavier duty adjustable arms, so i should be able to keep my angles in check, until i get my SYE.

Its on its way, so fingers crossed i made the right decision.

[89pajero]

Yeah my understanding is the same as falcon, all body lifts require cert, however you are allowed a 2" suspension lift without cert.

[TJ]

Where are you guys getting these prices from. They seem way too high. My OME kits was like a quarter of the price. I did do the install myself. I am now on different springs though.

[00falcon]

Where are you guys getting these prices from. They seem way too high. My OME kits was like a quarter of the price. I did do the install myself. I am now on different springs though.

$2200 was about the price i was quoted.
When you consider $300 per shock, the price starts to climb...
This price was from Mototech 4x4 on the shore.

Where did you source yours...?
Local or over seas..

[TJ]

OME kit was locally sourced. My new springs were thanks to Quadratec in states.

[WRNGLR]

I'm running what was a 2 inch OME suspension lift, but now has Raw4x4 nitro shocks and OME springs for now. Running 33s, which are the same size/diameter as 32 inch simex I think

Be aware that the slip yoke may bind at any time when off road and this can happen



a slip yoke eliminator would have prevented this but didn't put it in when I had the chance, so I learn't the expensive way

cheers

[TJ]

Well, mine didn't explode so violently but I did bend the output shaft. I was running an engine motor mount lift to compensate but did the damage regardless.

Now I have JB Conversion super shorty SYE for the last 4 or 5 years.

[WRNGLR]

you were lucky then, I was going up a hill got a bit of a bounce while still on the gas and bang, sounded like a shotgun going off.
Now has mega short SYE and modified non double cardan drive shaft, standard control arms which all seems to work well together, I don't do hard core stuff in it though, club champs courses would be the worst it gets I guess

[russty]

Thanks for the info and your input. Your comments and feedback have given me a lot to think about and consider.
Im putting the finishing touches on my wheel carrier , so I should also consider extra weight that will be on the back. Im too scared to weigh it .

Future projects will have to be a SYE ,a new fuel tank and skid plate, rock sliders to replace the shinney import plastic things, ummm somewhere to put the RT & CB, ummmm.

[WRNGLR]

I'll take some pics of mine and post here if ya like, sliders and how they attached, sill/tub protector, PRS radio, aerial etc , give you some ideas, can do it tomorrow, am at work today

cheers
Greg

[russty]

Hi Greg. Thanks for that and I look foward to the photos. Always good to get ideas.
I would love to go and get it dirty ,but alas I must work aswell
cheers
Russty

[WRNGLR]

where abouts are you located mate

[russty]

Hi Greg.
nice looking wrangler you have. Im in Waihou, 5 mins out off TeAroha in the waikato. Around 15 mins from thompsons track.
By the way, my brother has a 97 wrangler with a 4" body lift and no suspension lift , running on 33`s. Its also a manual and is a lot higher geared than mine. ( which is why i choose 31`s instead of 33`s for my road tyres)

And another brother has a mitsubishi jeep . He brought a brand new tj when they first arrived in NZ. but has since moved on to a diesel.
so we have Jeep in our blood round here.

[WRNGLR]

cheers mate, on the door step to Thompsons aye, wicked, A 4 inch body lift and no suspension lift ???? sure it ain't the other way around, can't say I've ever heard of it being done that way before.
If ya ever decide to do a trip, get ya Bro's together and come down this way,

[WRNGLR]

Hi Greg. Thanks for that and I look foward to the photos. Always good to get ideas.
I would love to go and get it dirty ,but alas I must work aswell
cheers
Russty

pics as promised





hope this helps some

cheers
Greg