Transfer Case Lowering Kit for a 2.5" lift?

woody367

TJ Enthusiast
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So I am installing a 2.5" suspension lift kit in my 97 TJ. Do I need to install a transfer case lowering kit and if so how much of a drop? I do not plan on installing a SYE.
 
Yes, you will definitely need a transfer case drop.

However, no one here can tell you how much it will need to be. Start with 1" and see if it vibrates. If not, you're golden, if it does, then you need to add more washers until it doesn't vibrate. Don't forget to get longer bolts as well!
 
1" motor mounts lifts the front up and drops the angle of your TC output to give you better drive line angle. The motor mounts lift the front, where dropping the Tcase lowers the rear. It achieves the same thing but leaves you with a bit more clearance since your t case is not lowered. T Case drop is the poor mans solution, SYE is the best but most expensive, and the 1" motor mount is in the middle.
 
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My Wrangler is a SE with a automatic. I can see the MML and the Tcase drop helping with the angle but would think the Tcase drop would' be better. The drop would leave it like a 1.5" lift instead of a 2.5
lift , no?
 
My Wrangler is a SE with a automatic. I can see the MML and the Tcase drop helping with the angle but would think the Tcase drop would' be better. The drop would leave it like a 1.5" lift instead of a 2.5
lift , no?

In the minds of most of us, no. You are expending time, effort, and money on your lift to gain ground clearance, and the t-case drop immediately gives back a portion of what you gained.
For most TJs, a 2.5" lift is close to where driveline vibes might start, but if so they probably won't be terrible. A motor mount lift would probably eliminate them without giving back any of the precious ground clearance that you just gained.
 
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My Wrangler is a SE with a automatic. I can see the MML and the Tcase drop helping with the angle but would think the Tcase drop would' be better. The drop would leave it like a 1.5" lift instead of a 2.5
lift , no?
You have the right idea. Depending on how you use your Jeep the decreased clearance from a TC drop might not be an issue. Either option should work fine for you and be relatively cheap.
If you do a MML you can keep your new motor mounts by using a spacer kit. If you go with a TC drop make sure you use good hardware and anti-seize.
 
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You will need to drill some new holes to move the fan shroud up. It is an easy job.

That spacer looks fine. It's pretty hard to mess up a rectangular chunk of metal.
Those don't include the sleeve bolt most other spacers come with. I'm not sure how they are installed just yet to comment on their importance.
 
Those don't include the sleeve bolt most other spacers come with. I'm not sure how they are installed just yet to comment on their importance.
The Ebay listing linked above says those are made by Protune Suspension. On their site, they don't have a listing for a 1997-2006 MML.
http://www.protunesuspension.com/accessories-9/They do have a YJ set.
For comparison, this install guide for a Zone MML shows a "bolt extension" that the YJ kit appears to lack.
https://www.extremeterrain.com/zone...or-mount-8706-yj-tj-manu-install-j114756.html
I am sad because I was about to buy the ebay kit linked above...
 
Its not all that hard to install a SYE and do it the correct way, look into it! If you can install a lift kit, you can easily install a SYE, while the transfer case is still in the vehicle :)