Jeeps-Offroad.com thinks I should ditch the lift kit!

[FlyersPh9]

I was planning on getting the RE 2.5" lift for X-Mas. I asked what they thought (here (http://www.jeeps-offroad.com/yj-technical-discussion/24040-quick-lift-kit-question.html)) and they are all saying "get shackles"! I won't be offroading hardcore...just some trails and over some fallen trees, but they also said that if the suspension is stock, and I get a 1" body lift with 1" shackles, that the stock suspension will flex just as good as a lift kit!:shreekz: Is this correct?

[Joe Dillard]

I read the entire thread - every word.

I did not see where "they are all saying to get shackles".

EG: Take another look at post #10 from/by Kommando. He starts right off by saying "Forget the lift shackles." So....it seems not everybody is in agreement about the shackles in that thread, right?

I also did not read where anybody mentioned that "if the suspension is stock, and I get a 1" body lift with 1" shackles, that the stock suspension will flex just as good as a lift kit!". Not even close.

IMHO, the folks on Jeeps-Offroad are just sharing their experiances and opinions with you - which is perfectly acceptable.

[FlyersPh9]

I read the entire thread - every word.

I did not see where "they are all saying to get shackles".

EG: Take another look at post #10 from/by Kommando. He starts right off by saying "Forget the lift shackles." So....it seems not everybody is in agreement about the shackles in that thread, right?

I also did not read where anybody mentioned that "if the suspension is stock, and I get a 1" body lift with 1" shackles, that the stock suspension will flex just as good as a lift kit!". Not even close.

IMHO, the folks on Jeeps-Offroad are just sharing their experiances and opinions with you - which is perfectly acceptable.
Ok...so what are your opinions? The body lift/shackles seem like the nice less $$$ way but usually that is a bad sign...what do you think?

[YJorBUST]

Flyer, send me your email, i'll send you a pic of my YJ with the 2.5" XD and 33's.. you'll see what it looks like, IMHO it works great, i have the clearance of 33's and a low COG

[kwrangln]

After reading the thread on JOR, you stated you were working with minimal budget for mods, so they are trying to show you ways to fit the tires you want for the least amount of money possible. Nothing wrong with that. I wheeled for a few years with just a 2" body lift and 31's, had a blast.

[lilgreenjeepyj]

Mine is on the 2.5" RE standard lift. Ive got 5/8" shackles, and TJ flares and could easily run 33's. Ive got a 1" BL on there now and there is no doubt that I could run 33"s. Though if I had to do it again, Id go with the XD over the standard as Im not overly satisfied with the SD springs.

[Grisha]

I strongly recommend saving for the suspension lift. Either run 30's or try to squeeze 31's stock and deal with minor rubbing.

Shackle lifts without a suspension lift decrease approach angles, already a YJ weakness. They don't buy much lift either -- 1" longer shackles kill your approach angle for only 1/2" lift.

I'm biased against body lifts, especially those over an inch. Don't care for the looks. :blowboy: And the only clearance you get for the skidplates and oil pan is only from the bigger tires -- that will be what, 1/2" to 1" if you go from 30 to 31 or 32.

My 02 cents...

[Murray249]

I also have the standard duty. I cant tell you how much better it flexes than my stock setup, although my jeep had 170,000 miles on it before I did the lift. I would probably agree that this is not the hardcore offroaders lift. It works for me but I have never been quoted as saying, Lets go see if we can break something, like I hear just this weekend. I am putting 255/85-16's on mine which should be something like 34x10.50 16's, I have small lift with shackes and have flat fendered the Mistress.

[lessthanchris1]

Lets go see if we can break something

Isnt this the motto of owning a jeep?

EDIT: Anyone in NJ:

I found a magic tool store! (where you look in the FSM and it says blah blah use special tool #45872323)

Eppy's Mechanic Tool Supply, Route 9 North in Howell, Just north of I-195

Upon walkin in, i recoginzed two tools i ghetto fabbed myself and was like, "dammit, i wish i had that"

[Berean100]

I was planning on getting the RE 2.5" lift for X-Mas. I asked what they thought (here (http://www.jeeps-offroad.com/yj-technical-discussion/24040-quick-lift-kit-question.html)) and they are all saying "get shackles"! I won't be offroading hardcore...just some trails and over some fallen trees, but they also said that if the suspension is stock, and I get a 1" body lift with 1" shackles, that the stock suspension will flex just as good as a lift kit!:shreekz: Is this correct?I read the thread you posted from "the other" site :-p I think the people who were saying "get shackles! get body lifts!" were refering to your original question. You asked if you could temporarily fit 31's without a lift --those responses were temporary suggestions to let you handle the 31's til your lift is installed. If you want to avoid on-road scrubbing, cheap shackles or a BL are good *temporary* options. True, you could put on a 1" BL now to alleviate scrubs and add it to the lift later. This is actually a great option b/c you can use it for your new tires now and it will add to the lift once you install it. But what you asked on THIS forum was a totally different question. Here, you asked if it was as good/better to do JUST a BL with lift shackles than the whole RE kit (you did start to get into this at the end of the other thread but I think you're getting confused b/c you are mixing the two responses.) To adress THIS question of comparing a BL coupled with lift shackles to an RE kit, here is my response:

Basically, if you can afford the RE kit -- go with it!! It's far superior than Body/shackle lifts alone. If you can't afford the kit, going the other route is a good, temporary fix. If you get the RE kit, you'll have a good platform to add onto later without having to totally replace what you've already bought. For example, if you want a little more tire room later on -- no problem! Just add on the 1" Body Lift in addition to your kit for only $100 when money allows. For a smoother ride, upgrade to greaseable shackles (if they aren't already included in the RE kit?) or upgrade to boomerangs to prevent axle wrap if you start doing more hard core trails. But the RE suspension system is the best place to start. I've learned the HARD way -- go ahead and do it right the first time and you will save loads of $$ later down the road. (LOL, or more likely you'll spend the saved money on some other toy/jeep addition.) Also, if you can fit it in your budget, spring for the RE 2.5 Extreme Duty set up. This gives you different (and better) springs for the front and rear versus four identical generic springs. In the long run, it will last you longer & perform better. In the short run, it won't make much difference unless you do more wheeling or are concerned with getting the best on-road ride possible. good luck, bro!!

Godspeed,
~Dave

PS -- As far as alleviating scrubs, if you are getting new wheels with your tires anyway -- BE SURE TO GET ONES WITH PROPER BACKSPACING!! I think 3.5" of BS is probably a good range... stock is somewhere around 6" I think?? Being sure to get wheels with the right BS instead of blindly buying out of a catalog won't cost you more, but will go a long way to help the scrubs! Also, adding TJ flares is a good, cheap option for helping your 31's work before the full lift is on. You can buy cheap, used TJ flares and paint them black to look good. This gives you more room b/c they are more compact than YJ flares and allow you to trim the fenders to make more room for the tires. It's cheap, but it also requires you to cut into the fenders (that's beyond my skills but if you can do it, its a popular option!)

[Dan90YJ]

I read the entire thread - every word.



dont lie, you know you just scanned it for pictures and when you didnt see any gave up on the first word you couldnt pronounce:pthh:

[Joe Dillard]

dont lie, you know you just scanned it for pictures and when you didnt see any gave up on the first word you couldnt pronounce:pthh:
Hi Dan - good to see you pop your head in here from time to time. :jump:

[Rock WoRM]

Godspeed,
~Dave

PS -- As far as alleviating scrubs, if you are getting new wheels with your tires anyway -- BE SURE TO GET ONES WITH PROPER BACKSPACING!! I think 3.5" of BS is probably a good range... stock is somewhere around 6" I think??

Good idea... but 3.5 might be a bit much for 31's. I have 3.75, and was just right for 33's. :)




WoRM :bsod:

[Berean100]

Good idea... but 3.5 might be a bit much for 31's. I have 3.75, and was just right for 33's. :)

gotcha -- you're probably right... I just couldn't remember which was the right amount for that tire.

[FlyersPh9]

I read the thread you posted from "the other" site :-p I think the people who were saying "get shackles! get body lifts!" were refering to your original question. You asked if you could temporarily fit 31's without a lift --those responses were temporary suggestions to let you handle the 31's til your lift is installed. If you want to avoid on-road scrubbing, cheap shackles or a BL are good *temporary* options. True, you could put on a 1" BL now to alleviate scrubs and add it to the lift later. This is actually a great option b/c you can use it for your new tires now and it will add to the lift once you install it. But what you asked on THIS forum was a totally different question. Here, you asked if it was as good/better to do JUST a BL with lift shackles than the whole RE kit (you did start to get into this at the end of the other thread but I think you're getting confused b/c you are mixing the two responses.) To adress THIS question of comparing a BL coupled with lift shackles to an RE kit, here is my response:

Basically, if you can afford the RE kit -- go with it!! It's far superior than Body/shackle lifts alone. If you can't afford the kit, going the other route is a good, temporary fix. If you get the RE kit, you'll have a good platform to add onto later without having to totally replace what you've already bought. For example, if you want a little more tire room later on -- no problem! Just add on the 1" Body Lift in addition to your kit for only $100 when money allows. For a smoother ride, upgrade to greaseable shackles (if they aren't already included in the RE kit?) or upgrade to boomerangs to prevent axle wrap if you start doing more hard core trails. But the RE suspension system is the best place to start. I've learned the HARD way -- go ahead and do it right the first time and you will save loads of $$ later down the road. (LOL, or more likely you'll spend the saved money on some other toy/jeep addition.) Also, if you can fit it in your budget, spring for the RE 2.5 Extreme Duty set up. This gives you different (and better) springs for the front and rear versus four identical generic springs. In the long run, it will last you longer & perform better. In the short run, it won't make much difference unless you do more wheeling or are concerned with getting the best on-road ride possible. good luck, bro!!

Godspeed,
~Dave

PS -- As far as alleviating scrubs, if you are getting new wheels with your tires anyway -- BE SURE TO GET ONES WITH PROPER BACKSPACING!! I think 3.5" of BS is probably a good range... stock is somewhere around 6" I think?? Being sure to get wheels with the right BS instead of blindly buying out of a catalog won't cost you more, but will go a long way to help the scrubs! Also, adding TJ flares is a good, cheap option for helping your 31's work before the full lift is on. You can buy cheap, used TJ flares and paint them black to look good. This gives you more room b/c they are more compact than YJ flares and allow you to trim the fenders to make more room for the tires. It's cheap, but it also requires you to cut into the fenders (that's beyond my skills but if you can do it, its a popular option!)
I think you pretty much summed it up. Believe me, I would LOVE to get the lift kit over the shackle/body lift any day but I am trying to avoid one thing: taking it to a shop to get re-aligned (or have the whole thing installed). I want to be the one to install it, but I'm only 16 and I don't think it is possible for a person with out alot of mechanical skills. Plus this 'purchase' will be a hard hit on the pocket book, so it won't be fun having to pay $800 for a lift, tires, and wheels and then MORE because I need the front end re-aligned. :-(
Also, I think the RE XD is out of the question...$900 compared to the same thing (but w/ generic shocks) being only $600! It's gonna take major convincing to get my dad to say okay to $600! HAHA! ^_^

Anyways, give some input on this whole re-alignment thing!

[FlyersPh9]

I think you pretty much summed it up. Believe me, I would LOVE to get the lift kit over the shackle/body lift any day but I am trying to avoid one thing: taking it to a shop to get re-aligned (or have the whole thing installed). I want to be the one to install it, but I'm only 16 and I don't think it is possible for a person with out alot of mechanical skills. Plus this 'purchase' will be a hard hit on the pocket book, so it won't be fun having to pay $800 for a lift, tires, and wheels and then MORE because I need the front end re-aligned. :-(
Also, I think the RE XD is out of the question...$900 compared to the same thing (but w/ generic shocks) being only $600! It's gonna take major convincing to get my dad to say okay to $600! HAHA! ^_^

Anyways, give some input on this whole re-alignment thing!
BUMP

[wranglerboy93]

You'll need an alignment. Mine was 90 bucks. If your are kinda broke go with a cheaper lift wont be as good riding but you'll get the lift.

[Berean100]

Anyways, give some input on this whole re-alignment thing!
I'm not versed in it, but you may find this link useful in some way:

http://cartalk.com/board/showflat.php?Number=260794&page=0

~Dave

[Berean100]

Also, I think the RE XD is out of the question...$900 compared to the same thing (but w/ generic shocks) being only $600! It's gonna take major convincing to get my dad to say okay to $600! HAHA! ^_^

Btw, just to clarify in case there is some confusion: The Extreme Duty (XD) kit actually has upgraded leaf springs compared to the standard kit, so the difference isn't in the shocks. Nothing wrong with the standard kit; just making the distinction in case I missed that earlier.

Best of Luck,

~Dave