Best Riding coils and lift size for my frankenlift.

[nondem]

I've read through a lot of the resources here and I gotta say they are great. I've got a good general understanding of what needs to happen but I'm still considering how much lift I want to do...I'm shooting for overall capability - not a specific tire size, looks or amount of lift yet as I don't know what I don't know. I'd love some suggestions on how much is "ideal" for general wheeling - and I know that isn't specific enough really.
A lot of the material I've read seems to assume I'll want to DD this Jeep but I will be trailering the Jeep except for occasional short rides on pavement(getting lunch off the trails etc...) It'll almost never see pavement so I don't have to be overly concerned how tame it's road-manners are.

I see RockJock/Currie coils come in several sizes but their complete lift kits for the TJ are all 4". Is that telling me that 4" is the sweet spot for lifting a TJ?
I'd like to strike some type of balance between off-road ride, capability and reliability. I know the shocks are a big part of ride quality and Rancho seems to be popular for those looking for a good ride on dirt but I'll need to pair them with good springs and other hardware.

I'll be hauling this Jeep to the mountains/rocks a couple of times a year. My thought is that if I build it to work well and articulate in the rocks it'll be ok for general wheeling off-road in most situations. Am I wrong?
I'm prepared to do a SYE, good control arms and other hardware to make it work and articulate well but my first conundrum is picking a lift amount so I can get some parts on the way. I know I'll also need to deal w/the pretzel-stick Dana 35 axles when the time comes

2003 Jeep Sahara TJ 4.0/Auto - 3.73 gears. Warn VR EVO 10s, MetalCloak Frame built base w/shackles.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Figure out your tire size and offroad needs first, then build around that. Springs are for ride height. Shocks are for ride quality. Get the ones you like. My old Pro Comp springs never sagged and were inexpensive compared to most.

 

[nondem]

Figure out your tire size and offroad needs first, then build around that. Springs are for ride height. Shocks are for ride quality. Get the ones you like. My old Pro Comp springs never sagged and were inexpensive compared to most.

I understand that...Light duty springs seem like a great idea to pair with the Rancho's particularly on the back but I do have a winch/bumper on the front. Deciding how much lift is "ideal" off-road is the big question for me.

 

[L J]

Deciding how much lift is "ideal" off-road is the big question for me.

that depends on tire size

basically:
35s = ~5" of combined lift
33s = ~3.5"-4" of combined lift
32s = 2" of lift
31s = ~1" of lift

 

[nondem]

Thanks for the thoughts...it's looking more and more like 4" is the number I'm looking for for just the suspension lift. I was already considering a 1.25" body lift for starters to get the jeep up off the 31" tires that were on it when I got it and that will set me up for adding 4" springs so I can run 33's or 35's. I guess it really is about which tires I want to run and 33/35's are the real sweet spot for capability and 4" is what gets you in the ballpark.

 

[Pressurized]

As above, it's all about tire size... To keep it simple, 4" and 33's... Add the 1.25 body lift and 1"MM lift for 35's. Then tummy tuck.

It never ends.

 

[L J]

Thanks for the thoughts...it's looking more and more like 4" is the number I'm looking for for just the suspension lift. I was already considering a 1.25" body lift for starters to get the jeep up off the 31" tires that were on it when I got it and that will set me up for adding 4" springs so I can run 33's or 35's.

that's where I started ... 1.25" body lift and 1" motor mount lift on 245/75-16

I guess it's really about which tires I want to run and 33/35's are the real sweet spot for capability...

at a reasonable cost anyway.

 

[nondem]

If I understand what I've read correctly the 1" MML will help with the driveline angles. No enough to eliminate the need for a SYE I'm guessing. Wonder if I could ride 4" of springs w/the stock rear shaft till I can afford the SYE?

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Tons and fodees?



- Someone had to say it…

 

[NashvilleTJ]

If I understand what I've read correctly the 1" MML will help with the driveline angles. No enough to eliminate the need for a SYE I'm guessing. Wonder if I could ride 4" of springs w/the stock rear shaft till I can afford the SYE?

Others with more direct experience will correct me if wrong, but at 4” of suspension lift on TJ I think you will need a longer rear driveshaft anyway, and that would be the time to do the SYE.

 

[nondem]

Maybe 3" then...making it 4.25" w/the BL. Then I could eventually clear the way to 35s w/fender replacement/mods...
Allowing some time to save for the SLE. Who knows where I'll end up but I hope to minimize buying stuff that I'll eventually replace. Maybe adjustable control arms/track bars and such are the only items I'll have to buy once.