Looking to replace / upgrade Rough Country lift

ctcomputers

ctcomputers

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Joined
Nov 9, 2018
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45
Location
nebraska
New member to the forum purchasing a rust free 97 TJ Sarah after selling my beloved 1980 CJ7. Previous owner installed what I believe to be a Rough Country 4" lift along with 33x12.50 tires I think mounted on 10" rims? (measuring a 7" offset from the exposed side). He also had installed a slip yoke eliminator. I would actually like to lower it back down (without breaking the bank or in stages) to what will work well with the current wheels. Would appreciate recommendations and happy to provide pictures and/or confirm whatever is helpful. Appeared springs have roughly a 2-3" (maybe separate 2" and 1" spacers) located above each spring. Was wondering if they could be removed as one lowering option. Was also going to replace shocks but wanted to check if perhaps an entirely different kit might include shocks and be a better option. I believe the (control arm?) bushings or entire arms may also need replaced as they looked worn. Jeep drives alright but I notice a bit of body roll and/or back end wandering at times. Not looking to build a rig for off road as would rather have a good quality ride. Appreciate any advice and information!!
 
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It sounds like you probably have a 2" Rough Country lift with 1-2" coil spring spacers. Pictures of the suspension, springs, and control arms would help greatly in determining this.

What is the height you want it to end up at? Do you know if the control arms you have no are adjustable?

If you have adjustable control arms, that's going to help a lot, as the thing you're going to encounter with raising or lowering a TJ is that you'll always need to make sure the pinion angle is correct, which is adjusted vid adjustable control arms.

Since you said it has a SYE (which is a great thing), it has to have a CV driveshaft, which makes me think even more than it must have adjustable control arms.

Anyways, post some photos when you get a chance!
 
I only see the spacers on the front. Hopefully someone can identify from pictures what has been done and what would be advisable to correct.

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Definitely coils and spacers. Control arms are stock. You could lose the spacers and install some new shocks but you need to correct some things while in there. No bump stop extensions in front or rear. Front coils are off center and not in the correct position. Front trackbar hole was re-drilled.
 
I'd lose those huge coil spring spacer for starters. That should drop it down about 2" or so. I'd also get rid of the track bar relocation bracket and get the track bar back to the stock mounting position.

In addition, I'd check for a drop pitman arm, and if it has one, get rid of that for the stock pitman arm as well.

Assuming those springs are 2" lift springs (which I think they are), you could definitely use the stock control arms with 2" of suspension lift. It's only at about 3" of lift that you need adjustable control arms.

But this has me wondering... If that thing has 4" of lift currently, how is the pinion angle adjusted? Or does it have a transfer case drop? Can you take photos of the rear pinion, rear driveshaft, and transfer case skid plate from the side?
 
I really appreciate the identification and information! I'm hoping this rig is not too much of a basket case underneath in order to get it back to what it "should" be. The seller indicated it was a 4" RC lift but apparently he didn't install it. I'm also not entirely sure if it has a dropped pitman arm (is that in picture 4?).

If I take the spacers out from the front what has to come out in the back to keep it riding level as I didn't notice the same type of a removable spacer(s) in the rear? Am I also missing components (bump stops)? Although I'm somewhat competent with a wrench I'm unsure if cleaning this up would require specialty tools or better left to a garage. Can I also loose the spacers and still clear the 33x12.50 tires that are on it? Please let me know if I can provide any additional pictures or information and how I can thank everyone!

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Not a dropped pitman arm, which is great. No, you cannot run 33's on only 2" of lift without a lot of tire/fender interference. The last pic is a slip yoke eliminator and double cardan shaft, which is great. The bad part is you have stock control arms so you cannot adjust for proper pinion angle for the DC drive shaft.

You don't have a basket case but, you do have a bunch of pieces that need some replacing and adjustments. Nothing is overly difficult to do with some basic mechanical know how. You just need to take it one at a time.
 
Thank you very much! It sounds like I need adjustable control arms (front and rear?) in order to keep the 33x12.5 tires that are on it. I'm still unclear what I will need for parts and/or if I am at a point where a complete kit that includes control arms would be a better option. I'm really interested in the best budget option that will get it back to where it should be mainly for on-road/gravel road with limited off road driving.
 
At a minimum you need adjustable rear uppers. On a budget you could do CORE Off Roads tier one arms.

You need to decide what tire size you are going to run first before deciding on everything else. 33's need 3.5-4" of lift to have proper travel and clearance.
 
Since the rims tires are almost new including a matching spare I would like to keep them if possible. They are 33x12.50 tires and I think the rims might be 10 inch I did not check very close but a tape indicated roughly 7" from outside edge of rim to face and I would guess roughly 3" on the inside. I would like to stay with the minimum amount of lift necessary. If it makes any difference I believe the previous owner also put wider fender flares as they must be roughly 6" wide.

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As far as control arms would I be better off getting a complete set replacing front and rear? It seems like the quality is questionable and unknown with existing setup. Stock arm bushings look worn as well. In addition to control arms what else would be recommended?

Is anything of reliable/replaceable quality available as a complete setup including control arms, shocks, etc around $1000 or slightly over that could work with the existing 33x12.5 wheel setup? Would like to try and correct properly all at once if possible.
 
The wheels look like you are likely correct at 10" wide. To stay with 33's, you'll need 3.5" like I stated above. If you want to replace the lift for a reasonable cost, the Zone 4.25" combo lift would be great. It is 3" suspension, 1.25 body lift, and can run 33's no issue with proper bumpstops. I would also add in a JKS front track bar.

To properly set the rear pinion, the CORE tier 1 arms will work great. You can get away with uppers but the correct way is both upper and lower. And of course you can do all 8 if the budget allows.
 
Glad to see a post like this. Im in the same boat as you with trying to figure out what the previous owner added to my jeep. The guys on here super helpful and have a lot of knowledge.
 
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