Hi Everyone,
I bought a ‘99 TJ 4.0L manual (3.73 gearing) last month and have been heavily reading and learning since. This is my first post, and I value your input on what should be my next steps.
Picture as bought - was told it was stock and has 30x9.5R15 tires:
First, I was told this TJ was stock when I bought it from the 2nd owner, so perhaps he wasn’t aware what the first owner did, but please confirm my understanding, that I see a 1” body lift with 1” transfer case drop, as well as a sagging 2” budget coil lift. If I’m right, what things do I need to check for to ensure the 1” body lift is in good condition and can be left alone? Then I can focus on a suspension lift to fit 33s.
I wrapped the spare in 33x12.5 to confirm that it rubs just shy of full turn. So, I can either buy 1” spacers, or instead go with 33x10.5. I’m leaning towards the 10.5 to decrease weight, decrease wear on the Jeep, and increase road handling. I like the wide look of the 12.5”, but I’m not convinced I need it over the 10.5” for the occasional off roading I do. I just navigated a beginner trail by me (Signal Peak) on the “stock” setup pictured above, and I’m not interested in pushing my limits beyond that with the Fordyce trail, at the moment anyways.
I assume that going with 10.5” instead of 12.5” means I also don’t have to deal with a spacer with wanting to reuse my stock 15” rims, correct?
So with the 1” body lift already done, and wanting go up to 33” tires, I’m looking at a 3” coil lift with Rancho RS5000x shocks. Reading they run long, for my planned 4” lift, do I buy the 0-2” (RS55128/RS55240) or the longer ones (RS55139/RS55241)?
For the 3” coil lift, I’m intimidated by piecing it together with my lack of experience, so was looking at this Teraflex kit where I may pay a little extra, but it comes with instructions and hopefully good customer support if needed.
https://www.extremeterrain.com/teraflex-3-lift-kit-w-quick-disconnects-9706-tj.html
If I’ve been reading the right things to do on this forum, then going with a 4” lift also has me needing to upgrade the following:
How’s my list look? Any down sides or bad experience with the 3” Teraflex lift kit? I’ll be doing all the work myself, learning along the way with my son. No hurry to get it done, I just want to get it done right and learn from it.
I bought a ‘99 TJ 4.0L manual (3.73 gearing) last month and have been heavily reading and learning since. This is my first post, and I value your input on what should be my next steps.
Picture as bought - was told it was stock and has 30x9.5R15 tires:
First, I was told this TJ was stock when I bought it from the 2nd owner, so perhaps he wasn’t aware what the first owner did, but please confirm my understanding, that I see a 1” body lift with 1” transfer case drop, as well as a sagging 2” budget coil lift. If I’m right, what things do I need to check for to ensure the 1” body lift is in good condition and can be left alone? Then I can focus on a suspension lift to fit 33s.
I wrapped the spare in 33x12.5 to confirm that it rubs just shy of full turn. So, I can either buy 1” spacers, or instead go with 33x10.5. I’m leaning towards the 10.5 to decrease weight, decrease wear on the Jeep, and increase road handling. I like the wide look of the 12.5”, but I’m not convinced I need it over the 10.5” for the occasional off roading I do. I just navigated a beginner trail by me (Signal Peak) on the “stock” setup pictured above, and I’m not interested in pushing my limits beyond that with the Fordyce trail, at the moment anyways.
I assume that going with 10.5” instead of 12.5” means I also don’t have to deal with a spacer with wanting to reuse my stock 15” rims, correct?
So with the 1” body lift already done, and wanting go up to 33” tires, I’m looking at a 3” coil lift with Rancho RS5000x shocks. Reading they run long, for my planned 4” lift, do I buy the 0-2” (RS55128/RS55240) or the longer ones (RS55139/RS55241)?
For the 3” coil lift, I’m intimidated by piecing it together with my lack of experience, so was looking at this Teraflex kit where I may pay a little extra, but it comes with instructions and hopefully good customer support if needed.
https://www.extremeterrain.com/teraflex-3-lift-kit-w-quick-disconnects-9706-tj.html
If I’ve been reading the right things to do on this forum, then going with a 4” lift also has me needing to upgrade the following:
- Adjustable Track Bars
- Included in Teraflex kit is bracket to use existing Track bars?
- SYE with a double cardon driveshaft
- Not needed if lowering transfer case included in Teraflex kit
- For my level of off roading, I could start with lowering transfer case and then later on upgrade to SYE and tummy tuck if I want to up my game
- Upper double adjustable control arms
- Lower rear adjustable control arms
- Extend Brake Lines
- Need to see if this is already done
How’s my list look? Any down sides or bad experience with the 3” Teraflex lift kit? I’ll be doing all the work myself, learning along the way with my son. No hurry to get it done, I just want to get it done right and learn from it.