Hey guys, I apologize for the indecisiveness on my part in advance. I have been going back and forth on the direction that i want to go. after a lot of thinking and reading, i'd like to hear some more of your thoughts as well. For a while I was dead set on the savvy 4" lift. While it is an amazing lift and one that i may one day do, I am considering another way right now. I realized that i spend most of my time on the road(not that a savvy would hurt that), but most of my off-roading is sand dunes and light to medium trails. I don't do any heavy rock crawling and i don't plan on getting into that as of right now in my life as a college student i just don't have the time or money for it to build it the way it would need to be built. So, what i am wondering is, is there a better option for sand and light trails for me? I have what i think is a 2-2.5" on right now from previous owner with crappy springs and shocks. I want some extra height in the wheel well for functionality as well as the aesthetic because it just would plain look better sitting higher with my 33's. My question is, should i say screw it and get the savvy, because i simply will not buy something such as a RC ect. or should i buy the OME heavy duty 2.5" with a 1.25 body and MML? If i did this, would i be suffering in regards to control arms?? If i don't do an OME lift i have my mind set on Rancho 5000x shocks thanks to the previous post's advice. Or, would it be worth my time to buy the Savvy 3" springs, savvy arms, a MML to counter a T-case drop, and a 1.25 body lift for a little more room. what are my absolute needs in regards to extra parts if i go the route of piecing it together. I would like to keep my costs down but also conserve the good quality parts. For the offloading that i do, will these options be viable? And will i suffer in regards to looks compared to a true 4" lift? Thanks guys sorry for the rambling thread.
Which lift should I go with?
- Thread starter TJ05
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The ome kit would fit your needs https://dpgoffroad.com/product/old-man-emu-ultimate-tjlj-wrangler-kit/
If you call you could probably request the rancho rs5000x shocks and get some additional money off.
You could also get away with your stock arms with this kit and not need to add a SYE and a new rear driveshaft like you would with the 4". If down the road you want to get into some more serious stuff you could always add a tummy tuck for ground clearance and high line fenders for 35's.
Additionally everything in the kit other then the springs / shocks would transfer over if you ever went with the 4" springs.
If you call you could probably request the rancho rs5000x shocks and get some additional money off.
You could also get away with your stock arms with this kit and not need to add a SYE and a new rear driveshaft like you would with the 4". If down the road you want to get into some more serious stuff you could always add a tummy tuck for ground clearance and high line fenders for 35's.
Additionally everything in the kit other then the springs / shocks would transfer over if you ever went with the 4" springs.
I was just looking at that DPG kit yesterday its part of the reason I'm having second thoughts. Another one i have a lot of questions about is this one https://www.rocky-road.com/tj-lift.html. does anyone have any experience with this company? I have this kit priced out at 1300 and it comes with F/R track bars, coils, spacers, Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks, and a SYE in the kit and lower shock mounts.
With that kit you would also need adjustable control arms in the rear (upper or lower) to correct the pinion angle and a new rear cv driveshaft.
With the offroading i mostly do, being sand dunes and trails and not any crazy rock crawling, would a combo lift between suspension and body be a noticeable difference in looks or performance besides a body gap on the tub? I'm assuming a good ride cruising through the whoops at the dunes is going to be mostly shocks.
No, it won't be at all.
Almost all of us run body lifts on our TJ, and as long as they aren't over 1.25", they are just fine. The only thing you'd stand to gain from more suspension lift is that you could run a longer shock and therefore have more travel. However, unless you're planning to do some really hardcore stuff, that isn't going to matter much.
I mentioned it in the OP, but how big of a deal would it be if i got the savvy 3" springs instead of OME and the savvy 1.25 body lift along with a MML? would the half inch make too big of a difference on arms or driveshaft angle? my jeep is decently loaded down with rock sliders, front bumper warn 8000 winch, rear bumper and spare tire carrier.
The half inch isn't going to make too much of a difference really. In fact, I'd probably be more inclined to go that route with the 3" springs. With a 1.25" body lift, you'd be at 4.25" of lift total, which is perfect for 33s!
Ultimately you'll have to be the one to decide if you want to do things the right way and get a SYE / DC driveshaft, or if you can lift with a transfer case drop and MML.
Awesome, this is what i was really wanting to do. If i was to do this, what would i need to keep it safe and perform right? Would i still need control arms at that or should i be fine with stock? i can always save again and buy a set of savvy arms in the future(i plan to anyways). is there anything else i may need along with that?
Well, you could use the stock control arms and get an MML and a transfer case drop. Your transfer case will hang pretty low and look very ugly (as well as drag on just about anything big you go over.
But that's the cheap way to do it. The right way to do it would be to get a SYE, DC driveshaft, and adjustable control arms.
You'd be smart to get the MML anyways, but I can't think of anything else you'll need at that lift height other than springs, shocks, and bump stop extensions (and what I mentioned above).
People are going to start thinking I'm getting kickbacks as often as I suggest it lately, but the Zone Offroad 4.25" combo kit is another option worth considering (and available with RS5000x shocks). That kit, plus a set of upper or lower control arms from Core 4x4, would keep you around $1000, give you the height you're looking for with a combination of body lift and suspension, includes the MML, and you'd be able to set pinion angles. A few of us talked those options through in a post yesterday ((here).
At 3” of suspension would I need track bars or will I be okay without them? If I don’t need the track bars I have no problem doing it right with a SYE and Control arms
You wouldn't need them, but it wouldn't hurt to have them. Your axles will be off-center laterally about 1/2" give or take. However, that won't do any damage, so the track bar thing is really a moot point to be honest.
Okay well i did the math, with a Tom woods drive shaft and SYE sold by savvy, savvy aluminum control arms, savvy 3" progressive springs, and the savvy 1.25" body lift and no Track bars, the price is at $2,273 without shipping. so still cheaper than the kit on savvy/currie because they don't include a SYE/driveshaft. I'm okay with spending the money on control arms. What do you guys think?
I would say go for it. Adjustable control arms are a big benefit, and doing it with a SYE / DC driveshaft will prevent you from having to lower the transfer case down any lower than it already hangs!
Double adjustable or normal arms? add a Motor Mount Lift. I have the metal cloak double adjustable arms and couldn't be happier. Also, no zerk fittings to grease.
I would put front Track bar and Rear TB relocation bracket on the short list.
They make good kits, don't need to say anything else.
$2,273 on a lift to drive on the beach and still need control arms and maybe a driveshaft $$$? I guess it's your money.
The Zone kit is about $600 for everything if you get the 4.25" combo. That and done, you can go fill up your tank and drive on the beach or the trail.
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