I hate my Jeep

[SolarCool TJ]

Hi guys, new member from Fort Lauderdale here.

Long story short, I bought my 1st ever Jeep, a bone stock 04' TJ from the original owner . Why i didn't do it 20 years ago is beyond me. It is the best damn thing I ever bought. It wasn't supposed to be, but I love this Jeep so much, it is currently my DD. Problem is that I made the tragic rookie mistake and got talked into a RC 4'' lift kit not long after i bought the Jeep. And while the kit is supposed to be 4'' it seems more like 5-6". Slapped on 33's and the bone stock jeep now looks pretty damn good compared to stock. On the flip side....it rides and handles like total CRAP!!!!! it is truly all show and no go, I will compare it to being in a wooden roller coaster. Embarrassing to say the least. So, although its mainly my DD and will continue to be. I would still like to have a competent rig if and when i do tackle some offroad action down the line.

After doing my research and due diligence, the new plan is.....

Completely scrap out the cancer that lies underneath and start over fresh with...

Option A
Old Man Emu super ultimate, wich includes
Springs,Shocks, JKS single adjustable upper and lower CA's with JJ ends, JKS front and rear adj TB with JJ ends, 1.25 BL, 1''MML for a total of approx. 3.75 of lift wich should clear the 33's no problem

Option B
Same as above, OME springs and shocks, 1'25 BL, 1'' MML. but delete the JKS arms and TB's and replace with Metal Cloak Dbl Adj. arms, and Trackbars

Option C
Same as above, OME springs and shocks, 1.25' BL, 1'' MML. Delete the JKS, and swap out to Currie/Savvy Dbl adj. arms and trackbars

Option D
Forget A,B,and C and just roll with a complete Savvy/Currie 4'' system

the little voice in my head says go with "C'' because if i end up not liking the JJ's i have the option of swapping the ends to MC duroflex joints or ends.

What option would you go with? Or am i missing some more letters? Hoping to get some solid info and opinions from some experienced members who can point a knucklehead like me in the right direction..

 

[glwood]

If you want to run 33s, why don't you just do the OME springs & shocks, body lift, & motor mount lift? You don't have to shell out for control arms up front. If you decide to add those later, great, but not necessary initially, unless you got rid of all your stock control arms...

I guess the question is, do you have any of the stock components still?

 

[xxdabroxx]

You will like the johnny joints. Welcome to the dark side.

MC's nvh issue with the johnny joint is overinflated marketing wank to sell their joint over the JJ in my opinion. I dont doubt they make an OK joint but your joints dont dictate ride quality. Good shocks will make a much bigger difference.

 

[SolarCool TJ]

If you want to run 33s, why don't you just do the OME springs & shocks, body lift, & motor mount lift? You don't have to shell out for control arms up front. If you decide to add those later, great, but not necessary initially, unless you got rid of all your stock control arms...

I guess the question is, do you have any of the stock components still?

yeah, the RC lift is still bolted up. i kinda figured if i hate it, why keep any of it?

 

[JMT]

Can we see some pics too?

 

[SolarCool TJ]

You will like the johnny joints. Welcome to the dark side.

MC's nvh issue with the johnny joint is overinflated marketing wank to sell their joint over the JJ in my opinion. I dont doubt they make an OK joint but your joints dont dictate ride quality. Good shocks will make a much bigger difference.

I was wondering about that, they sure do make some convincing videos though. I know the currie/savvy JJ is a proven winner, with a long track record...maybee I'm just being sold into the duroflex hype? From what I've read, the OME shocks and springs are winners as well, wouldn't you agree?

 

[SolarCool TJ]

Can we see some pics too?

pics of what?

 

[xxdabroxx]

I dont have any experience with the OME stuff but I believe they make nice stuff.

I've been very pleased with my Savvy control arms and plan to buy the last two this year and convert the front axle side bushings to jj's too.

 

[SolarCool TJ]

I dont have any experience with the OME stuff but I believe they make nice stuff.

I've been very pleased with my Savvy control arms and plan to buy the last two this year and convert the front axle side bushings to jj's too.

How much maintenance are the jj''s? just some occasional grease? what springs and shocks are you running with the savvys?

 

[xxdabroxx]

My jeep was lifted with a pro comp lift when I got it. I swapped arms last year and haven't really done any maintenance to the joints yet. I am still running the pro comp 4" springs without issue. And I just swapped to rancho RS5000X shocks. They ride much better than pro comps that were on it but I still plan to go to fox shocks sometime in the future. Post out boarding and raising the front mounts.

 

[xxdabroxx]

If you aren't going to build your jeep all at once I'd strongly suggest getting double adjustable arms whoever you go with.

 

[SolarCool TJ]

If you aren't going to build your jeep all at once I'd strongly suggest getting double adjustable arms whoever you go with.

Yeah for sure, the DA are only an extra $150 or so.

 

[JMT]

pics of what?

Just want to see your new Jeep!

 

[glwood]

yeah, the RC lift is still bolted up. i kinda figured if i hate it, why keep any of it?

Hard to decide, I know, when you want to start over. I don't know much about RC lifts, but some of their components, i.e. springs, are not bad. I was just hoping you could start replacing parts without ditching the whole setup. That may be your only course of action, though. Good luck.

 

[SolarCool TJ]

Just want to see your new Jeep!

oh..my bad. i changed my avatar to the the jeep.. nothing special, but its mine!

 

[SolarCool TJ]

Hard to decide, I know, when you want to start over. I don't know much about RC lifts, but some of their components, i.e. springs, are not bad. I was just hoping you could start replacing parts without ditching the whole setup. That may be your only course of action, though. Good luck.

Well I'm not thrilled about having to pony up give or take $3k for a new system. But the shocks and springs are most likely the main culprits. Yeah, i could probably live with the control arms, but the rest would have to go...i.e

drop pitman arm
front trackbar
rear trackbar

So, at that point...what the hell, might as well scrap it all. there is no doubt that the CA's will end up giving me issues eventually.

 

[LeePTI]

My jeep was lifted with a pro comp lift when I got it. I swapped arms last year and haven't really done any maintenance to the joints yet. I am still running the pro comp 4" springs without issue. And I just swapped to rancho RS5000X shocks. They ride much better than pro comps that were on it but I still plan to go to fox shocks sometime in the future. Post out boarding and raising the front mounts.

I got Pro Comp 2.5" springs with Fox shocks. Handles and rides better than new.

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[xxdabroxx]

Well I'm not thrilled about having to pony up give or take $3k for a new system. But the shocks and springs are most likely the main culprits. Yeah, i could probably live with the control arms, but the rest would have to go...i.e

drop pitman arm
front trackbar
rear trackbar

So, at that point...what the hell, might as well scrap it all. there is no doubt that the CA's will end up giving me issues eventually.

You can always do it a little at a time. That's what I've been doing. I'd work on getting that drop pitman arm and front track bar first. Then maybe do shocks if you are going to keep the springs. Usually springs aren't too bad although I'm not sure what the uncompressed length of the ones you have are. The pro comps on mine let my 10.75" travel shocks go to full droop and only start to get loose enough to where you can twist them a bit. If/when I go to longer shocks I'll likely end up with the currie springs, although I'd probably only go with an 11" travel front shock as recommended by many. I believe the rear currie springs allow a 12" travel shock. But I'd also like to do a tummy tuck before then. Which means a body lift, which means I'll likely want to go to 35" tires around the same time which leads to a super 35 and chromo shafts for the Dana 30 up front and so on and so forth. It really starts to snowball at a certain point.

 

[zip04]

You are likely getting driveline vibration with your current set up. IMO, I'd start with the following:

1. SYE and Adams or Tom Woods rear drive shaft
2. Adjustable front track bar (I'd personally either go Currie or MC) with that lift height
3. New shocks (a few great choices)
4. Adjustable rear upper control arms if yours are still stock (I'm not sure what all your lift actually replaced).
5. Ride and see what you think before replacing anything else

Also. You should measure your springs on flat ground with the weight of the Jeep on them to find out how much lift you are actually currently getting.

 

[zip04]

And yes, get rid of the drop pitman arm ASAP as well.


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