07 Jeep JK 4dr suspension suggestions

[JKMurf]

I was wondering if anyone (besides Mitko the **** hater ) might have any suggestions on a 2 inch lift? I'm looking for a little more ground clearance rather than tire clearance and I'm wondering what, if anything I can do to gain a little more clearance without comprimising on-road driveability or digging too deep into the wallet? I already have rock sliders on my wishlist and I currently have a set of new 33" Goodyear Wrangler MT/R's which I'd like to stick with but if anyone has any...

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[Root Moose]

I've heard/read good things about this product:

http://www.aev-conversions.com/products/nthdegree_jk/

They even <gasp /> do on-road performance testing with their suspensions. It flexes about as well as any other similar lift as well.

Do more research though, I'm not a JK guy.

HTH

$0.02

 

[JKMurf]

Ya, the nthdegree is a nice setup. Not sure if I could do it myself though...I have the tools but lacking the know how. From a quick read of the install guide, I might have to add prerequisite parts as well. Still worth considering though. I've seen other suspension kits (2") that call for an adjustement/alignment of the front axle to prevent problems with the ESP and I'm not sure why this is but these are things I will need to consider as well if I try doing it myself.

 

[Mitko]

. I've seen other suspension kits (2") that call for an adjustement/alignment of the front axle to prevent problems with the ESP and I'm not sure why this is but these are things I will need to consider as well if I try doing it myself.

Front end alignment is required after installing any lift/lowering kit by default. ESP problems are usually related with tire size change.
I can install any lift kit for you - have done a lots of them in the past, jeeps included.

 

[Richard]

Looks like somebody got bit by the off-road bug this weekend

I haven't heard much about the JKs yet, but can't you use coil spacers, also called a budget boost or BB? It's very popular on TJs.

 

[louie]

Ya, the nthdegree is a nice setup. Not sure if I could do it myself though...I have the tools but lacking the know how. From a quick read of the install guide, I might have to add prerequisite parts as well. Still worth considering though. I've seen other suspension kits (2") that call for an adjustement/alignment of the front axle to prevent problems with the ESP and I'm not sure why this is but these are things I will need to consider as well if I try doing it myself.

your JKs bolts will be better then the ones on my 00 tj:lmao:
I think i was talking to you on the trail, was askin my buddy with a JK did the BB but he said there was another one that replaces the spring and shocks for a bit more money he wishes he went for!!!

Good luck on the reserch!!!

 

[JKMurf]

Front end alignment is required after installing any lift/lowering kit by default. ESP problems are usually related with tire size change.
I can install any lift kit for you - have done a lots of them in the past, jeeps included.

Sounds good, what do you charge for labour and would you be willing to do it together? I could use the suspension experience. I think I have pretty much everything for tools to do the lift but if you prefer your shop, that's fine with me.

Anyways, I thinking of going with either the Full traction 3" economy lift but then I'd have to get shocks or the Rough Country 3.25" progrseeive coil and spacer kit /performance shocks (this kit seems a little cheaper than most lifts and includes the shocks...I'm not sure its all what its cracked up to be).

 

[louie]

I have rough country springs and shocks in my TJ, just to let you know they are very firm!

 

[JKMurf]

I have rough country springs and shocks in my TJ, just to let you know they are very firm!

Really eh? I'm looking at this kit: http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_jk_3.html

It sounds like a good deal...I might just jump on this kit then. Most other kits, that I've seen so far, don't include the shocks.

Sorry if I don't remember you...I couldn't stop thinking about what the next obstacle was on the trail :heep: and if I was going to make it or not! What colour was your TJ?

 

[Root Moose]

I have rough country springs and shocks in my TJ, just to let you know they are very firm!

I'd stay away from the RC stuff; I don't know the situation for JKs but for every other Jeep I've researched the only good thing about RC stuff is that it is cheap.

Full-Traction is a good brand.

Also look at Rubicon Express.

Probably some others out there as well.

 

[O.D.]

Murf, when you decide what you want to do, let me know. I have the workshop and tools to work with you to get the lift installed and i am not in it to make money, just help out a fellow jeeper..... I have done a few lifts myself as well

Plus i'm about 10 minutes from Kemptville so real close too.....

 

[Mitko]

I'd stay away from the RC stuff; I don't know the situation for JKs but for every other Jeep I've researched the only good thing about RC stuff is that it is cheap.

Full-Traction is a good brand.

Also look at Rubicon Express.

Probably some others out there as well.

Well here is another first hand opinion:
RC has best quality/value ratio in the market right now (simple words: best for the buck )
Their springs are firm true, but not much firmer than other competitors, the shocks are good quality and very well balanced with the suspension , the entire suspension is well balanced for both on/off road performance.
After instaling 3 kits (one mine) I would say that this is proly one of the best made DIY kit around - no missing parts, no fire runs to Ottawa Fasteners or CT, with all the holes perfectly matching and so on (or maybe it's just me being lucky).
IMO -most of the other kits are overpriced - RE is #1 overpriced for what it is.

Here - happy after instaling the first RC 4" kit years ago.

 

[chunkytrunks]

There are 2 guys in the club with JK's that did the 2.5" spacer lift with new shocks and were both very happy with it. I forget the company though. They don't get on very much anymore either.

I say just find a good spacer lift with shocks and be done with it. Cheap and effective. And that will definetly be enough to run 33's on a JK. One of the guys was running 35's with no tire rub.

My 0.02

Matt

 

[JKMurf]

Alrighty then, thanks for all the suggestions and opinions and offers to help. I'm going to do a little more research on the lifts and hopefully find something before the dollar dives back down.

FLSBRNR - if your that close to Kemptville, I may just take you up on your offer. Perhaps, once I get the parts, we could get together for a coffee at Timmy's in K'ville one day and chat about dates and times and tools etc.

Thanks again everyone...

Cheers,
:beer:

 

[JKMurf]

So, incase anyone wanted to know, I decide to go with the Rough Country 3.25" suspension lift. With the help of FSLBRNR, it took us about 4- 4 1/2 hours to do. It went pretty darn smoothly I must say, except for the front shock top bolts removal, but we fixed that in a hurry. At least for the JK, I did not require a draglink adjustment. I still have to check my wheel alignment though. The kit came with brake line relocation brackets but really wasn't necessary for this kit, however, I used them on the back anyways but not on the front. Even with the newly installed RC sway bar disconnects disconnected, the brake lines still had plenty of line to spare with the body raised/wheel off the ground. I've also added an RC stabilizer to replace that dinky little stock stabilizer.

As for the ride, its definitely stiffer but the handling is pretty much the same as before....bring on the trails!

 

[mucovich]

nice, good to hear it went smoothly - i'll see you on the trail!:beer:

 

[Rosco P Coltrane]

It looks great, thinking about something for mine next year. Contemplating BDS for mine if I go with a lift next year, really helpful though to have another JK to look at and see how things go and what if any snags or issues crop up following installing any kind of lift.

 

[JKMurf]

I think you'd be pretty safe with a 3" or less lift kit. The only thing I wonder about is the angle of the driveshaft. I'm reading information about switching out the drive shafts because of the type of driveshaft that comes on the JK's. Tom Woods custom driveshafts are pretty sweet. You can get front and back for a little over a grand. I just might have to invest in a set...

 

[JKMurf]

You can also have custom shafts built at Malembergs in Ottawa at thier Drive Train Center on micheal Street. Either have the existing Modified or build a new one to suit your needs. The advantage of the Tom Woods is they have done all the research and it will bolt right up.

Geez, I never thought about Malmbergs...might have to go have a chat over there but otherwise, Tom Woods would be my first choice.

By the way, I was poking around on the weekend doing my 500 mile hardware check re-tighten and I noticed one of my one rear shocks seems do be leaking! The little black rubber stop was covered in oil and the shaft also has a film of oil on it unlike the other side. Not sure what the deal is but you can hear the air inside it. Anyhow, I sent an email to Rough Country this morning and they're asking for pictures so I'll send them up tomorrow. Further researching and discovered that this has happened to others with the performance 2.2 shocks but according to most forum posts, RC is pretty good with replacing faulty parts....I'll let y'all know what happens as the saga unfolds!

 

[O.D.]

I think that's the shock you installed and it was just put on wrong


BTW, X2 for Malmbergs.. That' s who built my rear for the TJ. Price is comparable and it's local