Looking for a smoother ride on-road

[BustedMyTJ]

Before i say too much, Id like to note that i am rather ignorant when it comes to all of this. Wanting to learn but need someone to explain. I have some questions.
I have owned this 05 TJ with a 2.25" rough country lift kit for almost 8 years now. I bought it when i was 18 and beat the hell out of it for 2 years before i blew the tranny and transfer case in one fail swoop.
Since then, It has sat in random places waiting to be worked on. Over the years i have dropped money into it trying to get it up and running again. Finally got the transmission rebuilt (because i didn't know it would be cheaper to buy a new one) and the transfer case swapped.
She's finally on the road again and is riding real rough.
I recently took it to the shop and was told i have some things that will need to be replaced sooner than later:
Draglink
Tie Rod
Steering stabilizer
Upper and lower ball joints
Driver Rotor needs to be turned
Sway bar bushings (front and rear)
As well as suggested Front and rear Shocks
=$1,675

Before i go ahead and replace all of this, would i benefit from swapping out the lift?
This is a Daily Driver. I have no intentions of serious rock crawling or mudding until i have another vehicle to use as a primary. I just want to be able to trail, do some minor crawling when i get that wild hair up my ass, and find some decent camping spots. Im looking for a smoother ride on road, and shit not to break when i take it on my minor offroad excursions.
Any help is Much Appreciated!!!

 

[bobthetj03]

Why does the driver side rotor need surfaced? Is there a problem with the caliper?
You best bet for a smoother ride would be to get some proper shocks that are the correct length for your lift height. Have you measured to see if the springs are sagging? If not, keep the springs and get some better shocks. What tire pressures are you running?

 

[John Cooper]

I would take stock of what I can do by myself. Repair the things you can repair by yourself. It will be a learning curve for you. So you can tackle bigger stuff. Then look for friends who have more experience and can help you.

 

[BustedMyTJ]

Why does the driver side rotor need surfaced? Is there a problem with the caliper?
You best bet for a smoother ride would be to get some proper shocks that are the correct length for your lift height. Have you measured to see if the springs are sagging? If not, keep the springs and get some better shocks. What tire pressures are you running?

Not sure about the Rotors, I dont think anything is wrong with the caliper.
I was told the springs are not sagging, and shocks are not bleeding, But are just very old and warn.
Full Psi on the tires, I am unaware of the exact measurement but can double check if important.

 

[bobthetj03]

Not sure about the Rotors, I dont think anything is wrong with the caliper.
I was told the springs are not sagging, and shocks are not bleeding, But are just very old and warn.
Full Psi on the tires, I am unaware of the exact measurement but can double check if important.

26-28 psi is a typical air pressure for our TJ's, so check that. Over inflated tires is a common complaint when the ride is rough. For shocks, Rancho RS500X shocks are pretty common as an upgrade.

 

[BustedMyTJ]

I would take stock of what I can do by myself. Repair the things you can repair by yourself. It will be a learning curve for you. So you can tackle bigger stuff. Then look for friends who have more experience and can help you.

I have access to a family shop, if these are things i can do without needing specified tools, and without concern of majorly fucking up anything else, i am more than willing to fix them on my own. Is there anything on that list that i should refrain from messing with and just let the professionals handle?

 

[BustedMyTJ]

26-28 psi is a typical air pressure for our TJ's, so check that. Over inflated tires is a common complaint when the ride is rough. For shocks, Rancho RS500X shocks are pretty common as an upgrade.

I am running 33x12.5's (idk if that changes anything) but I will look into that! As far as the shocks go, do i buy based off of lift height? Or, do i need to actually measure the springs to get an accurate read?

 

[John Cooper]

I have access to a family shop, if these are things i can do without needing specified tools, and without concern of majorly fucking up anything else, i am more than willing to fix them on my own. Is there anything on that list that i should refrain from messing with and just let the professionals handle?

The only thing you might need tools for would be the ball joints everything else you should be ok for, maybe a pickle fork to separate tie rod ends and such.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

I am running 33x12.5's (idk if that changes anything) but I will look into that! As far as the shocks go, do i buy based off of lift height? Or, do i need to actually measure the springs to get an accurate read?

best is to put your frame on jack stands, pull your springs, and cycle the axle with a jack and measure the shock length at full compression and full extension, then find the shock that matches that the best.

Next best would be to measure your shock length at ride height and pick a shock that puts your ride height roughly halfway between the fully compressed and fully extended lengths of the shock.

 

[bobthetj03]

I am running 33x12.5's (idk if that changes anything) but I will look into that! As far as the shocks go, do i buy based off of lift height? Or, do i need to actually measure the springs to get an accurate read?

Measure the spring heights. 12" up front, 8" rear is stock height. Anything taller will be you lift height.

 

[Rubisohoe]

Most of the recommendations are really easy to do. I would look at upgrading what you have and doing it yourself by using some of the forum how to threads.

ZJ steering upgrade and ranchero’s would be a good start, at about $400 for everything. All new quality brakes, rotors, bushing and ball joints will run about the same.

Shops typically don’t upgrade anything and will replace only what is agreed on with the part brands of their choice.

 

[Vtx531]

I would recommend swapping out the lift, especially as a daily driver.

I bought my Jeep when I was 16. I put on a Rough Country 4" lift, 33x12.50's and beat on it for a while. Went back to stock suspension and tires when I was 24 and I was daily driving it.

No longer my DD but that's still how it sits today over a decade later - no desire to to back. Good for minor offroad excursions. It's not for everyone but sounds like you might be on a similar path. Bonus: the stock replacement suspension parts are widely available and generally less expensive.

 

[John Cooper]

I would recommend swapping out the lift, especially as a daily driver.

I bought my Jeep when I was 16. I put on a Rough Country 4" lift, 33x12.50's and beat on it for a while. Went back to stock suspension and tires when I was 24 and I was daily driving it.

No longer my DD but that's still how it sits today over a decade later - no desire to to back. Good for minor offroad excursions. It's not for everyone but sounds like you might be on a similar path. Bonus: the stock replacement suspension parts are widely available and generally less expensive.

And sometimes even free!!!!!!