2" lift vs. 1" suspension lift plus a 1" body lift

[Rmckeown]

I'm puzzled - and probably wrong BUT ...
Why is a 2” lift such a popular choice if you want to run 32x11.5 tyres.

Would a better, less complex and less expensive option not be to do a 1” body lift and a 1” lift.

Reason 1 You get a little more clearance
Reason 2 The lift is way easier and less expensive since with a 1” lift all that’s needed are shocks, springs and bumpstops. Unless I read the guidance wrong, you don’t need cprings, adjustable track bars, a SYE (Slip Yoke Eliminator) , rear upper and lower adjustable control arms, and a DC driveshaft for a 1" lift.

No doubt I've missed something glaringly obvious since I'm only starting out!

 

[DaveC]

Really boils down to intended use and potentially setting up for other mods in the future.

If you just want to run slightly larger, more aggressive looking tires and won't be doing any serious wheeling, 1-2" in either combination you listed will suffice.

At 2" and above yes, an SYE may be needed; much more and it's a sure thing, as well as adjustable track bars, etc. BUT.... those all set the table for a tummy tuck and may be the first stage in a long term build plan.

 

[DaveC]

And by the way, welcome! My wife and I traveled to Ireland in 2023 to see our daughter and her college marching band perform in the St. Patty's Day parade in Dublin. We spent a week traveling the country prior to the parade. Beautiful place, great people and fascinating history!

 

[06lj]

If you want 32's either option would work. I surmise you don't see it discussed often because very few people run 32's. They are an odd size. I had them on my Jeep for a short time and quickly discovered they came with all of the negatives of 33's, like the need to regear, but performed only as well as 31's.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I ran 32s with a 2" BB several Jeeps ago. I bought longer shocks and nothing else. Zero issues.

 

[Rmckeown]

Really boils down to intended use and potentially setting up for other mods in the future.

If you just want to run slightly larger, more aggressive looking tires and won't be doing any serious wheeling, 1-2" in either combination you listed will suffice.

At 2" and above yes, an SYE may be needed; much more and it's a sure thing, as well as adjustable track bars, etc. BUT.... those all set the table for a tummy tuck and may be the first stage in a long term build plan.

Thanks - sounds like the 1+1 option will be perfect for me then - I mainly just want the tyres to work without too much expense.

 

[Rmckeown]

And by the way, welcome! My wife and I traveled to Ireland in 2023 to see our daughter and her college marching band perform in the St. Patty's Day parade in Dublin. We spent a week traveling the country prior to the parade. Beautiful place, great people and fascinating history!

If only it didn't rain so much, Ireland would be perfect : )

 

[Rmckeown]

I ran 32s with a 2" BB several Jeeps ago. I bought longer shocks and nothing else. Zero issues.
View attachment 626028

Sorry, what are BBs?

 

[TheBoogieman]

Sorry, what are BBs?

Budget boost aka spacers.

 

[hardtailpan]

I've been thinking about this as well.

I currrently have a 3" body lift in my Apex (yeah, i know, i got it this way) that I want to drop down to 1.25" I also am looking at some suspension lift. I'd like to go 2" but am also concerned about vibes as I do not want to go the path of SYE, adj control arms, etc. I would be perfectly fine with a MML, but it's not clear to me whether a 1" MML would likley resolve the vibe issue. I guess the only way to know would be to install the lift, jack up on the motor, and measure the driveline angles. I really do not want to put a skid drop in it. I'd love to hear some comments on the 2" of spring lift with a MML to compensate.

The BB comment caught my eye, as it seems a reasonably cheap way to test whether or not one's jeep will be ok with 2" of lift and possibly a MML, or not. If things work out, I would swap out the spacers for 2" lift springs.

Now with 3" of lift I could reasonably run 33s...which I'll need a re-gear for. Man, there's no getting around it, Just Empty Every Pocket.

I'm currently thinking just dropping down to the 1.25" body lift and installing the 1" H&R springs with a 3/4" leveling spacer up front and just run 31s. This is probably what I will do, and is what the OP is asking about.

 

[bbaldwin237]

I've been thinking about this as well.

I currrently have a 3" body lift in my Apex (yeah, i know, i got it this way) that I want to drop down to 1.25" I also am looking at some suspension lift. I'd like to go 2" but am also concerned about vibes as I do not want to go the path of SYE, adj control arms, etc. I would be perfectly fine with a MML, but it's not clear to me whether a 1" MML would likley resolve the vibe issue. I guess the only way to know would be to install the lift, jack up on the motor, and measure the driveline angles. I really do not want to put a skid drop in it. I'd love to hear some comments on the 2" of spring lift with a MML to compensate.

The BB comment caught my eye, as it seems a reasonably cheap way to test whether or not one's jeep will be ok with 2" of lift and possibly a MML, or not. If things work out, I would swap out the spacers for 2" lift springs.

Now with 3" of lift I could reasonably run 33s...which I'll need a re-gear for. Man, there's no getting around it, Just Empty Every Pocket.

I'm currently thinking just dropping down to the 1.25" body lift and installing the 1" H&R springs with a 3/4" leveling spacer up front and just run 31s. This is probably what I will do, and is what the OP is asking about.

At least you realize it's a trap no matter which way you go! lol

As for the MML resolving vibrations, it's a maybe. Some report that it does, and others say it doesn't. Every Jeep has it's own uniqueness and responds slightly differently. It probably would give you enough to resolve the vibe problems, but it may not and then you have to go with sman SYE and rear adjustable upper control arms, or a transfer case drop (kind of defeats the purpose unless you just want the look of bigger tires.

 

[hardtailpan]

At least you realize it's a trap no matter which way you go! lol

As for the MML resolving vibrations, it's a maybe. Some report that it does, and others say it doesn't. Every Jeep has it's own uniqueness and responds slightly differently. It probably would give you enough to resolve the vibe problems, but it may not and then you have to go with sman SYE and rear adjustable upper control arms, or a transfer case drop (kind of defeats the purpose unless you just want the look of bigger tires.

Yeah, everything that I've read is as you say, "it depends." lol. I wish I knew for sure, cause the driveline is out of the jeep now, and installing the MML would be a piece of cake! I don't want to put in an MML without any suspension lift or the angle will be screwed up in the other direction which could also cause vibes.

Yeah, 1" springs and a 1.25" body lift with 31s is sounding better and better!

 

[Rmckeown]

Budget boost aka spacers.
View attachment 626083
View attachment 626084

Ahhhh. Thanks for that

Yeah, everything that I've read is as you say, "it depends." lol. I wish I knew for sure, cause the driveline is out of the jeep now, and installing the MML would be a piece of cake! I don't want to put in an MML without any suspension lift or the angle will be screwed up in the other direction which could also cause vibes.

Yeah, 1" springs and a 1.25" body lift with 31s is sounding better and better!

Or 32s