Help me build it

[mejarrett9]

Just added my 3rd jeep to the family. My son's have a 03 supercharged rubicon and a 91 Comanche. Both are lifted. I have had numerous jeeps in the past also. I just acquired a 03 Rubicon Tomb Raider package that is bone stock 4.0l w/ 5sp ax-15 (155k). It has lived its entire life in NC and has little to no rust anywhere. Was adult driven and rarely taken off road. I plan to change that. I will drive it off road with my boys but I will also be taken trips to the beach and mountains with my wife as well as occasionally driving to work.

Looking to run a quality lift (4in-ish) that will allow for a 34-35" in tire. I will settle for a 33" tire but would prefer something closer to 35". I have no issue regearing down the road if need be. Tomb raider package came with extended color painted flares that I would like to keep and not modify. I have looked at a few short arm kits as well as debated on putting together a spring/control arm/shock combination that is mixed from different companies. That's where the fun starts.

What do you guys think?

 

[oldjeepman]

Most of my lift is made of 3 different companies. Savvy control arms, Currie/Rockjock for track bars, bump stops, anti-rock sway bar, steering. OME for springs. If I was going for 4" of lift I would go with Currie springs. I put everything together over time bit by bit. I watched for sales/discounts account I am a cheap sob..

 

[Chris]

First read these two threads:
How much does it really cost to run 35" tires?
So you want to run 35" tires on your TJ?

Once you've come to terms that you're probably going to have to spend a lot of money to run 35s, then I would tell you that if you are prepared to go down this path, my suggestion would be a Savvy 4" short arm lift to start with, which assumes you want a quality lift that you won't need to replace down the road.

 

[Goatman]

I'm with OldJeepMan. If you are going to keep up with what your boys are running I would (if I could afford it) going with a Currie lift. Savy uses mostly Currie parts but gives you double adjustable arms that can be handy to dial in the angles. Be sure to get the brakes set up to handle 35" tires. Those are the places to not try and save a nickle or two.
Keep good notes and lots of pics for a good write-up of everything to go from bone stock to 35s.

 

[mejarrett9]

First read these two threads:
How much does it really cost to run 35" tires?
So you want to run 35" tires on your TJ?

Once you've come to terms that you're probably going to have to spend a lot of money to run 35s, then I would tell you that if you are prepared to go down this path, my suggestion would be a Savvy 4" short arm lift to start with, which assumes you want a quality lift that you won't need to replace down the road.

Chris, - I have read both of those posts (a couple of times) as I was trying to figure out which way I wanted to go with this build. The logical side of me says to go with a 3in lift and 33's due to cost and making it easier to get into and out of for my wife. She is tall and athletic, but the jeep came with rock sliders (not step bars) that I plan to keep..... The other side of my brain is like FULL SEND!! Lets lift it and LS swap that Bit$!! ... Now you can see where my struggle is

 

[Chris]

Chris, - I have read both of those posts (a couple of times) as I was trying to figure out which way I wanted to go with this build. The logical side of me says to go with a 3in lift and 33's due to cost and making it easier to get into and out of for my wife. She is tall and athletic, but the jeep came with rock sliders (not step bars) that I plan to keep..... The other side of my brain is like FULL SEND!! Lets lift it and LS swap that Bit$!! ... Now you can see where my struggle is

Believe me when I say that unless you plan on wheeling in the rocks and doing some serious stuff, it's absolutely silly go to go 35s unless you are just after the looks. This is my opinion of course, but I've owned TJs with 31s, 32s, 33s, 35s, and everything from stock to built. Just my two cents

 

[CodaMan]

As a side note, if the transmission is stock it's the NV3550 not the AX15.

 

[mejarrett9]

Believe me when I say that unless you plan on wheeling in the rocks and doing some serious stuff, it's absolutely silly go to go 35s unless you are just after the looks. This is my opinion of course, but I've owned TJs with 31s, 32s, 33s, 35s, and everything from stock to built. Just my two cents

I've decided to go with a 3.5 short arm lift and plan to run 33s... for now... ... I read all of the links that you sent. I'm wanting to take your advice on shocks and I'm looking at the Rancho 5000x, but I'm having trouble figuring out the correct part number for a 3.5 lift. Can you give me any assistance with this? Am I going to have to go with the rancho 9000xl?

 

[JMT]

Just added my 3rd jeep to the family. My son's have a 03 supercharged rubicon and a 91 Comanche. Both are lifted. I have had numerous jeeps in the past also. I just acquired a 03 Rubicon Tomb Raider package that is bone stock 4.0l w/ 5sp ax-15 (155k). It has lived its entire life in NC and has little to no rust anywhere. Was adult driven and rarely taken off road. I plan to change that. I will drive it off road with my boys but I will also be taken trips to the beach and mountains with my wife as well as occasionally driving to work.

Looking to run a quality lift (4in-ish) that will allow for a 34-35" in tire. I will settle for a 33" tire but would prefer something closer to 35". I have no issue regearing down the road if need be. Tomb raider package came with extended color painted flares that I would like to keep and not modify. I have looked at a few short arm kits as well as debated on putting together a spring/control arm/shock combination that is mixed from different companies. That's where the fun starts.

What do you guys think?

You mean, help you spend your money? I can do that.

Currie 4" Kit
1.25" Savvy BL
1" MML
Curry or Savvy CA's
SYE
DC
Black Magic Big Brake Kit
Regear
35's

 

[Chris]

I've decided to go with a 3.5 short arm lift and plan to run 33s... for now... ... I read all of the links that you sent. I'm wanting to take your advice on shocks and I'm looking at the Rancho 5000x, but I'm having trouble figuring out the correct part number for a 3.5 lift. Can you give me any assistance with this? Am I going to have to go with the rancho 9000xl?

For that setup you’d likely want the 3” Ranchos since they run long. When I am back to my computer I can lookup the part numbers unless someone beats me to it!