Identify this lift

merrill77

merrill77

05 LJ, 97 TJ, 77 FSJ
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2021
Messages
70
Location
Raleigh, NC
Despite driving a TJ for 21 years, I don't know the first thing about lifts. To the extent that I don't even know if you can identify it by pictures. I would like to understand what all is on the LJ that I purchased recently - the seller didn't know but will hopefully be sending the paperwork when he finds it (was in the middle of moving to a new house). Based on the bumper height compared to my 97, it looks to be about a 3" lift. Ride is very stiff, compared to OEM on my TJ (original springs and recently replaced shocks to OE specs).

Here are some pics - if they aren't helpful, can you tell me what I should be taking pics of?

TIA!

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Shocks are probably what is making it ride like crap. If you have bump steer it could be the dropped pitman arm, in other words if it darts when you hit a bump. It's easy to change stuff around, pick where you really want to go and then start into it.
 
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Thanks, @pagrey . I have not noticed any dart-iness in normal driving - hitting potholes, etc with just one side.

I have bounced the jeep pretty hard at highway speeds when hitting lane-wide transitions, such as on/off bridges. I attributed that to the overall stiffness. Scared me the first time...I've learned to slow down for those :|
 
merrill77 said:
Thanks, @pagrey . I have not noticed any dart-iness in normal driving - hitting potholes, etc with just one side.

I have bounced the jeep pretty hard at highway speeds when hitting lane-wide transitions, such as on/off bridges. I attributed that to the overall stiffness. Scared me the first time...I've learned to slow down for those :|
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I just saw, it does have a dropped pitman arm. I would definitely remove it and get the geometry better. @Jerry Bransford can give you a more detailed explanation!
 
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I'd bet new shocks and you'd start enjoying things a bit more. If it doesn't have any quirky steering issues I'd wait on all the other details. You probably should measure your real lift height to get started, I think stock is springs are 12" front and 8" rear, anything more is the lift.
 
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Yep. That is an older Rancho lift. I don't think they have made that style of control arm in a while.
rancho-2.5-inch-rock-crawler-lift-tj-RS6506 (1).jpg
 
Chris said:
I never thought I’d think of a control arm as being ugly, but my goodness…those are some fucking ugly control arms. Look like they’d be on a riced out Honda Civic 😆
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I had the same thought the first time I looked under it. Perfect if it was to be a mall crawler :oops:
 
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I think I have this left on my 2005 LJ. The four inch version. What are the good and the bad features? What “ corrections “ can be made? Back in 2005, would this have been considered a “quality lift?
 
KcTj said:
I think I have this left on my 2005 LJ. The four inch version. What are the good and the bad features? What “ corrections “ can be made? Back in 2005, would this have been considered a “quality lift?
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The biggest issue is those control arms have little ability to flex. You really want an arm with at least one flex joint. There are many options depending on what you use your Jeep for.
 
The issue with those control arms goes way beyond ugly. If you wheel it, a rigid control arm with solid bushings on both ends tend to rip off the control arm brackets.

And agreed on the dropped pitman arm. It looks like the track bar is in the stock location, and if that is the case the dropped pitman will definately cause bump steer,
 
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We all know that someone will wander in here saying they've been running split bushings for years in a Jeep that practically lives on the Rubicon with no problems whatsoever and anything else is a waste of money.
 
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Thanks for the responses. Do the OE control arms have a joint or flex point?

I probably should have added, in my original post, some more about my needs: I plan to keep this LJ for a very long time. I don't intend to do any serious rock crawling with this it - it will be my DD. My other TJ is stock, other than 31" wheels, and has handled everything I've needed for 20 years. Just some mildly bad roads to get to the more remote camping and backpacking areas that we frequent. And an occasional jaunt in the woods or a trip to Uwharrie where I keep to the newbie trails and watch the guys who actually know what they're doing :) I could take or leave the lift ... it's a little tall for my preference, but I'd get used to it. If I return to stock height, then I don't need a longer drop receiver for my trailer :) I think my goal would be to minimize expenditure while improving ride, but with quality parts (i.e. at least OEM quality). I have several other upgrades that I'd rather spend my $$s on. Maybe I should return to stock?
 
Stock control arms flex very well by design. They look flimsy but are actually very sturdy. I ran them for years on my LJ with a 2.5" lift. For your needs they would be fine.
 
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merrill77 said:
Thanks for the responses. Do the OE control arms have a joint or flex point?

I probably should have added, in my original post, some more about my needs: I plan to keep this LJ for a very long time. I don't intend to do any serious rock crawling with this it - it will be my DD. My other TJ is stock, other than 31" wheels, and has handled everything I've needed for 20 years. Just some mildly bad roads to get to the more remote camping and backpacking areas that we frequent. And an occasional jaunt in the woods or a trip to Uwharrie where I keep to the newbie trails and watch the guys who actually know what they're doing :) I could take or leave the lift ... it's a little tall for my preference, but I'd get used to it. If I return to stock height, then I don't need a longer drop receiver for my trailer :) I think my goal would be to minimize expenditure while improving ride, but with quality parts (i.e. at least OEM quality). I have several other upgrades that I'd rather spend my $$s on. Maybe I should return to stock?
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The entirety of the stock arm is more flexible than that Rancho arm is.
 
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