Suspension advice needed!

[GTIRS]

OK guys I need some help considering I am fairly new to the Jeep modifing. I have a 2" BB w/ OME shocks on my 04 Rubicon its a great riding kit but I want more hieght soon. I want to stick with my 31"s for now until I can spend more for MTR 33's. I am on a budjet I spend 80% on road and 20% off so I want good performance off-road but not the best and good on road as well again not the best. I don't drive it everyday so a stiffer ride is ok but not a harsh ride, Basically I want a bang for the buck kit thats durable, effective, but does'nt cost an arm and a leg. Also I need to know what components I need exactly obviously shocks, etc. as with every kit. I want a kit so everything is there if possible, I am willing to pay $850 max for a complete setup. I am thinking about a 3"-4" lift or whatever looks good with 31" for now and later 33" tires. Pics would be good of anyones rig that fits my profile. I need as much info as possible. I have a few brands in mind- BDS (where can I buy this?), RE, Teraflex, Rusty's, and Rough Country. Any other opinions are greatly appreciated. THANKS Guys for all the help!

 

[Rubi04TJ]

there are many ways to go.. one thing you are going to want to do is make sure you do it right first.

becuase of what you price range is, i am only gonna talk about short arm kits.

I myself went with the RE 4.5 SuperFlex and paid just under a 1000 for the kit. This does not include shocks which are a extra 150 or so.

The reason for the 4.5 Superflex in my opinion is you get:
Upper and lower arms (Uppers are adjustable)
Front track Bar
4.5 springs or 3.5 springs
Brake line extensions

IF you went with the 3.5SF you don't get the adjustable arms and only the upper arms (maybe the lowers, don't remember) At this point you will have to buy shocks, buy the adjustable arms(?) buy the front track bar. After buying all this stuff you might as well of bought the 4.5 SF

The other sugestion is the Full Traction Ultimate 4 inch kit. Now this is a cool kit. But again more than where you want to be. It includes the following:

4" "ULTIMATE" TJ Wrangler Suspension System

Our new "Ultimate" 4" lift system for Jeep Wrangler TJ is the evolution of "short arm" systems available. This new advanced system provides adjustable 4-link front axle mounting for a true and correct caster curve throughout the entire range of linear axle travel.

For the rear axle, this kit goes a step farther. The axle is attached to a upper triangulated link bar using our exclusive bolt-on truss mount. The tri-link pivots on a high-misalignment, adjustable teflon lined heim joint. This eliminates the need for a rear axle track bar. The result is incredible linear wheel travel and axle articulation, without the binding caused by the rear track bar.

Do you drive your Jeep daily? The perfect geometry our our rear triangulated link eliminates chassis "yaw" and adds to stability at freeway speeds. This system offers hardcore rockcrawling performance from a system that rides and steers BETTER than stock.

You want tough? All components in this system are built for maximum off road punishment. We use 1.5" x .188 wall DOM tubing for our lower trailing arm assemblies, and 1/4" plate laser crafted bracketry throughout. This is a FULLY BOLT-ON system. No welding required to install. When we say "Ultimate" we mean in every available way. This is the most feature-laden short arm system available for your Jeep TJ Wrangler.

Notes:
• Rear CV type drive shaft required. Tailshaft transfer case conversion (SYE)required for Jeep NP231.

• Exhaust modification is required.
• Steel braided brake lines optional

Anyways those are the two kits i suggest. When you get ready to buy, let me know via PM and i will send you to a great guy who has the best prices on everything.

 

[Rubi04TJ]

Take a look at:

Teraflex 3T

or

Old Man Emu 3"


These are the ones I've been told ride best for the description you gave.

For the price of the Tera and the Old Man emu you might as well spend the extra 150-200 hundred for a more complete kit. Those kits are overpriced and not much in them besides springs.

I have heard that the OME rides great, heard bad things about Teras quality, and i have heard bad things about RE and Full Traction, but these are the ones that are on the top of the list. Stay away from Skycrapper, and SuperJunk. BDS is ok for a TJ, cheap and gets you the lift you want, but not all that road friendly and not much performance in them. BDS is known for thier YJ lifts, which they are good at making.

But this is all personal prefferance.

 

[HookSetSteve]

Anyone know about the Black Diamond 3" kit
Not much to it and I'm not sure if it's worth it

 

[GTIRS]

Rubicon Express has a nice 3.5" kit but I think my 31" MTR's would look stupid. Do I have to do a CV Drive shaft? I think a 3" lift would be enough. or maybe I will wait and do a 4" with 33" tires in a year. :shock:

 

[GTIRS]

Yea Damon has only good things to say about Tera. I am concerned if I have to do a CV driveshaft and anything else with a 3" lift? Also I wonder if my OME shocks can handle another inch if not then I must buy new shocks also. I would also like a little $ left over for JKS quicker discos and an alignment when all is said and done. :?

 

[GTIRS]

I am also curious about the 3" Black Diamond kit as well very good price on 4x4rockshop.com and free shipping. only 2 reviews but they like it.

 

[HookSetSteve]

GTIRS
That is the one I am thinking of getting and adding an adjustable track bar to it
It may not come with arms but it does come with the disconnects and TC lowering kit and says there is no need to change drive shafts or get a SYE
Unless someone has better suggestions I may get it

I have the money now just haven't made up my mind yet

 

[Josh]

you can clear 33's with your BB and a 1" body lift, why not do that? and you'll have the extra $$ to get the 33's NOW!

 

[GTIRS]

Well a body lift is not my route I rather gain ground clearence from the suspension and then get some tires maybe go to a 15" rim for cost reasons and get a good tire such as the Trxus or back to GoodYear for the MTR's but thats not the plan yet. I would wait to see other opinions on the Black Diamond before you buy. Check out Samsoffroad.com for good prices on Teraflex. I still need more opinions and ideas to com up with a plan but I do like the Teraflex 3T kit. What else would I need that this kit does'nt provide anybody know?

 

[HookSetSteve]

I'd take a good look at the FT 4" Ultimate, it's the best I've seen in a Short-Arm lift kit.

My second choice would be RE.

I can't afford the FT
What RE are you talking about the BB?

I'm so confused

 

[GTIRS]

With a t-case drop it will effect the stock transfercase skid by lowering it right? So My Skidrow engine and tranny skid which bolts to the stock t-case skid will have a problem. are there any other options? Who makes a real good Body lift and whats involved? Maybe I will keep my OME shocks and coil spacers for larger 33" tires. Another problem I would need to replace my spare tire mount more cash. In the end I think running a 3" lift with my stock tires may be the way to go. I still need more advice from you guys. :wink:

 

[Used-TJ]

With a lifted TJ once you get up over 3" of lift your gonna start to experience tire jacking, this is when you take a hard left hand turn under acceleration your front tire will lift 3 feet off the ground, it will scare the chit out of you. You'll get use it and be able to control it.

I'm still not used to it - I took a hard left coming out of a trail the other week, with the rear ARB still on. It felt like I had the Jeep on an RTI ramp, or a Honda I didn't happen to see- scared the jebus outta me.

As for the lift, I have been running the RE 4.5" for 4 years now - no complaints, just need to be sure to keep the joints well lubed.

 

[GTIRS]

will a body lift mess with my shifting as I have heard other Rubicon owners say when they installed the JKS 1.25" BL and MML? i JUST WANT A BASIC 1" BL to possible clear 33" tires.

 

[Rubi04TJ]

I have a rubicon, 4.5SF, JKS, MML and very happy with it... No problems at all.


I Love lifting the tire.. and looking at other peoples expresions when i do it.

 

[GTIRS]

So the M.O.R.E kit is a good one? Iam worried about shifting problems with a MML. :?

 

[Rubi04TJ]

do you have a standard trans? if so you might have to move the center consol back a little with a MML. It really is jeep by jeep bases, some do need it some don't. If you aren't doing a CV driveshaft it is recommended you do a MML and a BL so this is something you will have to think about to get rid of some of the driveline vibes.

 

[CrzyFrlssJeep]

You usually need to re-adjust the transfer case linkage after a body lift or transfer case drop kit.

Other wise.....4Low no worky :!:

 

[GTIRS]

Yea I think I am going to go with the M.O.R.E BL and MML it seems to be popular here and on Rubiconownersforum as well. It sounds like the MML is a pain to do. I hope I don't run into any problems with the shifting for the tranny and transfer case . Hey guys again thanks for all the help :wink: Gotta start saving up so I can buy the tires, BL, and MML at the same time. First I am gonna get the JKS quicker Discos for 2.5-4" of lift from 4x4rockshop

 

[GTIRS]

I heard you have to modify the Fan shroud if no MML is done and for future lifts it gets rid of the need for a t-case drop or new driveshaft.