Transfer Case drop needed ?????

[Mud Rookie]

Hey guys / girls.....

Just bought my new Rough Country 2.5 inch spring and shock lift kit from PJF4x4 (Thanks Danny) with a new heavy duty Rough Country steering dampner.... Along with new spider 1.25 inch wheel spacers.. I cannot wait for spring.....

Anyhow, my question is this..... I have been online for the past 3 days on chat sites and blogging sites and its a 50/50 split on whether or not I should install a TC drop kit. Vibration or not should I go ahead and get one and install it...

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[mucovich]

2.5" isn't alot of lift over stock, but i think that if it's 50/50 then err on the side of caution and get it, plus i've always believed that if you're thinking about doing it then do it, you'll probably just end up doing it evenyually anyway (personal experience). I know that once i lifted my cherokee past 4" i needed one, i know apples to oranges but if you get it and in the future you decide to budjet lift it another inch or 2 you'll be covered already with the TC drop.

 

[bradleyfitz]

If you do 3.5" to 4" lift, you would definitely need a 1" tc drop. What did you read about an MML being bad?

Odds are you will not need a full 1" drop. The route I would take would be to install and then determine if one was needed. Sometimes you can get away with just a couple of washers to get rid of minor vibrations. Just keep adding washers until the vibes go away... and if it ends up being too many washers for your liking, then order a kit.

http://www.4x4xplor.com/t-casedrop.html

 

[Mud Rookie]

Hey guys thanks for your feedback... maybe I used the word BAD out of context or maybe I should not have used it at all.. I am just going by what I have read and heard. Again its that 50/50 for and against personal opinions of 100's of jeep owners. Some say Go Fo IT !!! and others say NOPE !!!! Polyurethane or Rubber or buy the Brown Dog 1" motor mount, or the JKS 1" lift blocks with the stock motor mounts. So my decision was narrowed down to no MML and to go for the TC drop kit...

Now that being said, anyone had any issues like I mentioned above. Having a hard time getting into 5th and or lots of rubbing when trying to get into 5th ? any long term issues with lowering the TC ? I am assuming that when one lowers the TC its obviously attached to the tranny thus attached to the engine (wow I sound like a newby !!) so when it gets lowered that means everything will lean with it. So the engine will be leaning backwards slightly, is that correct and if so is that ok for it ???

awaiting for your expertise... !

Danny

 

[mucovich]

yes, the motor will lean back slightly (more than it already is), but certainly not enough to cause any ill effects. I've lowered my drive train - no ill effects, and raised it up 2-3 inches (for a flat belly) again with no ill effects. the angles we're talking about are negligible (4.0L backed by an AW4)

 

[2Greys]

Here is what I would do:
1. Forget the TC drop. Why lift it 2.5" just to lose an inch? Might as well just get a 1" lift then because the lowest point on your frame will equate to that.
2. Get an MML. You said people said not to, what was the reason? If they can't give one disregard what they said. I have never heard of a bad reason to do it. I did an MML and BL at the same time. The only drawback to an MML is you need to drill new holes for the fan shroud if you don't do a BL at the same time. Now there are people who do say not to do a BL (TC linkage can bind, raising the body potentially raises the center of gravity, most often though some think it is ugly). I have the Brown Dog 1" MML and would do them again. Go to the next meeting and I can show you them in person. Lots have had luck with the JKS one as well. It's cheaper as well since it retains the stock mounts plus can probably be sourced through PJF. The Brown Dog I think you get them from him directly. The MML does the exact same thing as a TC Drop except instead of dropping the rear of the transmission down to realign the driveshaft, it raises the front of the transmission through the lifting of the engine. I have had mine for over 4 years now with no issues related to it. I had a 2.5"BB before and got the MML when I did the BL
The thing here though is just like Brad said, put on your lift and see how it is at that point. Chances are you won't get vibes. Why waste the money when you can go to Home Depot or OFS if (big IF) you have vibes and throw a couple washers in between than blowing on something you won't need. Also Marek mentions if you end up doing a larger lift you may need it then. A lot of the budget lifts at higher amounts (Zone, RC) come with them already.

 

[mucovich]

^ good info.