Need advice on a lift kit...Help!

[Groundhog]

Hello to all.

I am trying to decide on a lift kit for my 96 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0. It is a daily driver so I was thinking of a 3" or 4" lift with 31 " or 32" max. tires.

Any recommendations on a brand or any horror stories about brands to avoid. I would like to retain, as much as possible, the GC's handling characteristics and have questions about rim and tire choice.

I have also submitted in my application for membership in your club for you review. I hope I am able to meet your requirements and look forward to hearing from you, thank you.

Ron Lamoreux
860-621-8413
jeep@ardvrk.com

 

[Groundhog]

Bullet,

Thanks. I don't mind waiting at all and thanks for responding.

This is a project that I don't want to rush. The reason I'm researching it so much to begin with is that I've spoken to quite a few people who went out and ordered a kit, put it on and it wasn't what they expected at all.

Most said they would have gone higher if they had to do it all over again, and they were lifting trucks or Wranglers. Some kits were noisy, too stiff, too soft, etc. I don't want to end up unhappy. This is a lot of money for a 43 year old to spend on a toy.

Because this is a ZJ, my options seem limited from what I have found on-line and in the catalogs I've picked up.

Even Bill over at Driving Image was hesitant to recommend anything. The best advise he had was a BDS 3" kit and 31"X 10.5 X 15 ProComps. I was hoping for a more agressive look.

Most of the three inch kits look like they end up 3" in front with 2" in the rear (as the BDS & Sky Jacker did). I dont know if that's what I want. I'm afraid the rear end will look likes it's sagging when I load her up.

The 4" kits I've found for ZJ don't come with track bars or shocks or are otherwise not complete and because this is my first suspension rebuild, I really don't want to waste money guessing and replacing brand new parts.

I need the ZJ body style for my business (I haul a lot of sound gear) and my dog, otherwise I'd just buy a Rubicon and get it done. Besides, I already have over five thousand dollars in this Jeep. I'm even doing custom upholstery utilizing the existing plastic panels. Most of the engine is new, rear drive shaft, as well as the rear axle and gas tank. I just can't part with her now. I'd never get my money back.

Anyway, Thanks for any help or advice you can give me. Feel free to give my number to anyone who's willing to help out. Once I become an expert I'll return the favor to the next ZJ fans. I have a feeling this won't be the last Jeep I build.

Thanks again.

Ron Lamoreux
860-621-8413 home
203-250-2796 work (direct line)
jeep@ardvrk.com

 

[Groundhog]

DaBrode,

Thanks. Don't worry. I'm in for the long haul if you guys will have me. I'm so glad Bill steered me in your direction. Someone must have a ZJ they've had success building, I'm patient.

I do have a lead I'm checking out tomorrow - A shop called "Endangered Species" in Holyoke, Mass.

He ONLY does Jeeps from what I understand. I'll also check out your lead right now. Thanks.

Ron

 

[kevinc]

32s, 4.5", 3.75" backspacing on the wheels, set up for more droop than compression, no rubby. check out www.nagca.com/forum for more ZJ stuff than you can handle. HTH

Kevin C.

besides, wranglers are for cheerleaders! :twisted:

 

[Groundhog]

kevinc,

Thanks. Will check it out.

I'll let you know how I make out.

Ron

 

[jon]

Check out http://claytonoffroad.com His lifts are a bit of $$ but he knows ZJs.

If you can look around for some pictures of what you are hoping to get That would help me to reccomend something. Problem with the ZJ (and WJ and XJ) is they are unibody, so youneed to lift it quite a bit to fit some bigger tires on it, or trim the fenders.

 

[pyagid]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6947&item=4537755584&rd=1

 

[re-run]

besides, wranglers are for cheerleaders! :twisted:

:shock: :shock:
Does that mean I can pick up cheerleaders with my wrangler......Sweet I'm headed for the nearest college :!: :!:
I'll tell you if it works out :lol: :lol:

 

[Groundhog]

ZJ pics..

I have been stockpiling pictures of the look I'm going for and I'll post some when I get a minute.

Keep in mind, it's not going to be radical. I need to drive this every day and my wife is going for her seventh knee surgery. She's 35 years old and will probably be using a cane within the next year. See where I'm goin' with this?

If it's too high, she'll never be able to get in. Wait, maybe we're on to something here. (just kidding)

Back soon.

Ron

 

[re-run]

I have a friend looking to do about the same thing to his zj. I'm not sure how much info he has but I'll see what I can find out.

 

[Groundhog]

DaBrode,

Spoke with Mark DuPont. Sounds like he likes the Rubicon Express 3.5 inch lift as well. Bullet also mentioned it. Mark thinks I'd be better off with the SuperRide version and I think I agree. Since this Jeep will be spending more time on pavement than in mud, it sounds like the way to go.

I guess I can always throw the coil spacers in later if I need more lift. I sure would like to put the 32's on though.

The only other tempting senario is the 3" BDS kit that Driving Image suggested. It comes with everything including shocks and I could always throw the coil spacers in on top to get what I want. We'll see. Right now I'm leaning toward Mark's suggestion for roadability reasons.

Thanks to all and stay tuned......

Ron

 

[Groundhog]

We'll do. The input is much appreciated.

Ron

 

[jon]

BDS Coil Springs are a little stiff.

I love their leaf spring, great product, great warantee.

Go with the super ride.

 

[NomadJeep]

Yeah, BDS coils are a little stiff.... But for a Leaf sprung kit... best you can get.

comparing what is available for the ZJ, I would go with RE...


Most companies that make a lift for th ZJ are pretty lame... even Full Traction's ZJ lift is non impressive... and usually they rule the coil world.

 

[Groundhog]

Looks like I'm pretty much sold on the RE. I went back and reread Bullet's post about the coil spacers. If I can add them now or later, 5" to 5 1/2" is more lift than I need.

If I'm gonna get serious about wheeling, maybe I'll buy a Wrangler or a newer GC down the road. Having a used Wrangler in the family would be great in the summer without the top. I'm sure my wife could get used to that.

Now I need to pick the rest of the components, pick 'em up and slap 'em on. Any favorites picks for shocks or other components I'll need for the install? The RE 3.5" doesn't seem to come with much. I'm gonig to surf around other nuts and bolt posts and check the RE web site for more details.

Ron

 

[kevinc]

I had the super ride kit. It was just fine on the street but if you twist your axles up, the rubber bushings on both ends will bind up. That said, i still run the super ride lowers in the rear and twist the crap out of them with no problems. I fit 32s with 3.5 inch coils. RE 3.5" coils usually net about 4~4.25 inches. My kit came with extended sway bar links front and rear, shocks, 4 control arms (2 adjustable rears and 2 fixed fronts, all lower), rear track bar bracket (which I recommend you have a brace welded to it. It creates a lot of leverage on the stock T.B. bracket, which is also the rear upper control arm bracket. I ran a simple 1"x1" tube to the coil bucket. I did this after the stock bracket started to rip off of the axle tube.) The instructions tell you to drill a hole for the front track bar on the axle side .25" (I think) over from the stock hole location. I would save up for an adjustable T.B. if I were you. Even at about 4", the ball joint on the frame side of the track bar is very close to maxed out. Oh, and it came with coils. well, that's all I can think of for now. HTH

Kevin C. 8)

 

[Groundhog]

Kevin,
I spoke with Todd from Endangered Species in Holyoke Mass. today. He was really pushing the Teraflex 3.5 kit. It's getting crazy. I think the problem stems from the fact that some photos of ZJ's I look at have the look I want & some don't even with the same kit.

DaBrode and I spoke on the phone today and agreed it may be wheel offset and back spacing that's confusing me. The lift is one thing, the wide stance is another. I've got to find the right combo. I spent some time online tonight looking at wheels. I really like the Eagle 639's. I'm going to shop around at the tire stores this weekend and see what I come up with.

Catch you later.

Ron
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[xjmark]

Kevin was one of the first guys to wheel a lifted ZJ in our local area before he moved to Arizona. That thing always did awesome on the trail.
I would trust his advice when it comes to the Grands.

One of these days, we need to meet up and wheel again Kev, most likely it would have to be in your neighborhood.