Body lift: keep or delete?

any4xx

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Lifetime Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2025
Messages
282
Location
Vail, AZ
I’m finally coming to grips with all of the previous-owner “improvements” to my new-to-me ‘04 Unlimited. I’ve removed nearly all of his improvements so far but am still on the fence about a few of them. The current major decision is regarding the body lift pucks. It is running 33x12.5 tires and an OME 2.5” suspension lift. In addition, it has a 1” body lift with 1” engine mount spacers. He added a cable-operated transfer case actuator so raising or lowering the body won’t affect that. Also the fender extensions are flat so there aren’t any clearance issues.

Soooo…. I’m really trying to just make things easier for my 5’00” wifey’s ingress/egress. I’m thinking that removing the body lift pucks is an easy reverse-modification. Is there any reason to think I’ll have any clearance issues with that tire size, the flat fender extensions, and just the 2.5” suspension lift? My ‘99 “regular” TJ is on 31x10.5s with no lift at all and I’ve never had anything rub.

Certainly there’s a personal-preference aspect that can’t really be addressed by the masses. But I’m more wondering if anyone out there has run this combination without the body lift pucks and has/has not had issues. Also, I’m guessing I’ll need to source a set of factory-length body mount bolts if I remove the spacers?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
 
Technically 33s need 4" of lift. You've effectively got 3.5".

I'd suggest a stool, ladder, rope step...lots of folks have good suggestions.

-Mac
 
  • Like
Reactions: any4xx
I’m finally coming to grips with all of the previous-owner “improvements” to my new-to-me ‘04 Unlimited. I’ve removed nearly all of his improvements so far but am still on the fence about a few of them. The current major decision is regarding the body lift pucks. It is running 33x12.5 tires and an OME 2.5” suspension lift. In addition, it has a 1” body lift with 1” engine mount spacers. He added a cable-operated transfer case actuator so raising or lowering the body won’t affect that. Also the fender extensions are flat so there aren’t any clearance issues.

Soooo…. I’m really trying to just make things easier for my 5’00” wifey’s ingress/egress. I’m thinking that removing the body lift pucks is an easy reverse-modification. Is there any reason to think I’ll have any clearance issues with that tire size, the flat fender extensions, and just the 2.5” suspension lift? My ‘99 “regular” TJ is on 31x10.5s with no lift at all and I’ve never had anything rub.

Certainly there’s a personal-preference aspect that can’t really be addressed by the masses. But I’m more wondering if anyone out there has run this combination without the body lift pucks and has/has not had issues. Also, I’m guessing I’ll need to source a set of factory-length body mount bolts if I remove the spacers?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

You’ll be adding some bumpstop and limiting your uptravel. You could do that and then when the 33’s where out just get some 31’s or 32’s and re-set up your bumpstop. Shocks can remain the same.
 
Lowering it 1" won't help her at all. Buy her some high heels to make her taller. :cool:
1784319601666.webp
 
So far I’m on the “just leave it alone” train. I can boost wifey up when necessary but for now we just take her CR-V most places. I’m still looking at various iterations of rock guard/step combinations but it seems that most would provide very little vertical gain and probably will just make it harder for me to get in & out, having to step over it rather than actually using it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheBoogieman
My wife is only 5'2". My old Sahara had a 5.25" lift with 35s. She wanted me to put the stock side steps back on so she could get in easier. A picture is worth 1000 words.
View attachment 700063

She’s got 2” on my wife. And with one knee replacement and a continuous battle with RA, I’m still considering whatever solutions are out there to help her up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Feralkid
How much off roading do you do? If not into real serious stuff...just take out the body lift.
 
  • Dislike
Reactions: jjvw
I actually have a pair of those in the ‘99 that I intend on selling. I’ve been considering moving them to the new one.

Probably a better idea than going through the trouble of removing the body and engine lift just to lower it an inch. She probably wouldn't even notice that inch.
 
I looked at that on an ‘06 I was considering. Sadly, I’m just not interested in dropping $2k for one.

I think they make single power steps for pickup beds more in the $300 range. Maybe one short power step on the passenger side would do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper